Strictly FINAL: Giovanni Pernice fights back tears as he praises ‘best friend’ Rose Ayling-Ellis

Strictly Come Dancing’s final on Saturday night saw Giovanni Pernice fight back tears as he praised his ‘best friend for life’ Rose Ayling-Ellis. 

The Italian dancer, 31, and the EastEnders actress, 27, battled it out against John Whaite and Johannes Radebe for the glitterball trophy, before eventually being crowned the 2021 winners.

And ahead of the triumphant moment, it proved to be an emotional road to victory as Giovanni paid tribute to Rose following their first dance.

What a night: Strictly Come Dancing’s final on Saturday night saw Giovanni Pernice fight back tears as he praised his ‘best friend for life’ Rose Ayling-Ellis

The pair has recreated their dazzling Quickstep, dancing to Love Is An Open Door from the Frozen movie soundtrack. 

And following the performance, Giovanni expressed how he felt having made it all the way to the final with Rose, with the dancer struggling to keep his emotions in check.

Turning to her, he said: ‘I just have to say it’s been a dream to be able to dance with you. It’s been a dream sharing this journey with you.

‘It’s my privilege to share the journey with you. I’ve definitely met a friend, a best friend for life.’

Wow: The Italian dancer, 31, and the EastEnders actress, 27, battled it out against John Whaite and Johannes Radebe for the glitterball trophy, before eventually being crowned the 2021 winners

Wow: The Italian dancer, 31, and the EastEnders actress, 27, battled it out against John Whaite and Johannes Radebe for the glitterball trophy, before eventually being crowned the 2021 winners

The professional dancer also became teary later on following their Couple’s Choice performance when Rose expressed how much she’s grown in the competition and how much it meant to her.

He had to turn away from the beauty, while host Claudia Winkleman also became choked up. 

While the beautiful showdance left everyone in tears, with Anton Du Beke unable to look at Rose during his critique through fear of crying.     

So proud: And ahead of the triumphant moment, it proved to be an emotional road to victory as Giovanni paid tribute to Rose following their first dance

Dream: Turning to her, he said: ‘I just have to say it’s been a dream to be able to dance with you. It’s been a dream sharing this journey with you’

Rose and John tied on the leaderboard on Saturday night in the most diverse final in Strictly Come Dancing history.

For the first time, just two finalists competed after AJ Odudu was forced to pull out of the competition at the final hour due to an ankle injury. 

And in the end, it was Rose and Giovanni who came out on top, with Tess Daly announcing them as the winners at the end of the show.  

Feelings: The professional dancer also became teary later on following their Couple's Choice performance when Rose expressed how much she's grown in the competition and how much it meant to her

Feelings: The professional dancer also became teary later on following their Couple’s Choice performance when Rose expressed how much she’s grown in the competition and how much it meant to her

Too much: He had to turn away from the beauty, while host Claudia Winkleman also became choked up

Too much: He had to turn away from the beauty, while host Claudia Winkleman also became choked up

All the tears: While the beautiful showdance left everyone in tears, with Anton Du Beke unable to look at Rose during his critique through fear of crying

All the tears: While the beautiful showdance left everyone in tears, with Anton Du Beke unable to look at Rose during his critique through fear of crying

As her name was unveiled as the winner of Strictly 2021, Rose said to Giovanni: ‘I just want to say you are so amazing. You pushed me to believe in myself more than I believe in myself. You are an incredible teacher, but not just that you are a wonderful friend.

‘We’ve gone through a lot, and I just want you to know no matter what happens, no matter how busy we get, I want to you to know you’ve always got a piece of my heart. You really do.’

Giovanni also revelled in their success on the BBC show. He said to Rose: ‘I have to say thank you to this beautiful young lady that made all my dreams come true. 

‘You became the best, best dancer, the best teammate I could ask for. You are a dream, Rose, you really are a dream. So, thank you for everything.’

WINNER! In the end, it was Rose and Giovanni who came out on top, with Tess Daly announcing them as the winners at the end of the show

WINNER! In the end, it was Rose and Giovanni who came out on top, with Tess Daly announcing them as the winners at the end of the show

Lovely: As her name was unveiled as the winner of Strictly 2021, Rose said to Giovanni: 'I just want to say you are so amazing. You pushed me to believe in myself more than I believe in myself'

Lovely: As her name was unveiled as the winner of Strictly 2021, Rose said to Giovanni: ‘I just want to say you are so amazing. You pushed me to believe in myself more than I believe in myself’