Ashley Roberts told to ditch 'romance' with Giovanni Pernice ahead of Strictly final

12 December 2018, 09:10 | Updated: 12 December 2018, 09:14

Strictly Come Dancing's finalists are reportedly facing tensions ahead of the final as Pasha tells the former Pussycat Doll to cool off her reported romance.

Ashley Roberts, 37, has been told by partner Pasha Kovalev, 38, to put her budding romance with Strictly Come Dancing hunk Giovanni Pernice, 28, to one side to focus all her efforts on the final this Saturday.

It's reported the former Pussycat Doll and the handsome ballroom dancer have grown closer over the last few weeks, but with Ashley ranked as the outsider to win, her partner Pasha fears he could be an unnecessary distraction.

A source told The Sun: “He thinks it’s distracting. He knows their chances of winning are slim now anyway, but he wants them to give it their best shot.

“Anything other than rehearsals feels like a distraction to him.”

Read more: Ashley Roberts dance history revealed as she faces bottom two again

Meanwhile Giovanni, who is paired with Faye Tozer, 43, has also been suffering growing tensions with the former Steps singer as they clash ahead of Saturday night's final.

An insider said: “Faye and Giovanni have been struggling with the pressure and have both been ranting behind each other’s back.

“Giovanni is fiercely competitive and wants to win, but he knows they don’t have a hope in hell, as Stacey and Joe are both so popular with fans."

“Faye is sensitive, and after weeks of relentless training, she is feeling quite emotional.

“They’re hoping they can put on a brave face for the final, but behind the scenes it’s incredibly volatile.”

Stacey Dooley is the bookies favourite to take the crown, with Joe Sugg and rumoured girlfriend Dianne Bussell the second favourites.