FOR Strictly Come Dancing heartthrob Giovanni Pernice, dance is life.

Aptly, that is the title of his new show, for which he is leaving the comfort of the TV studio and bringing his story driven dance display to theatres across the country.

He’ll be arriving at Braintree Arts Theatre on May 6 for one date of what will be a 31 stop tour.

The 26-year-old said: “It is a completely different vibe to Strictly.

“The show is going to be something a little bit different because we are trying to tell a story.”

That story is loosely based around Giovanni’s own life.

Born in Sicily, Giovanni tells me how he fell in love with dancing when watching a Strictly-style show on Italian television, appropriately called Come Dancing.

As a teenager, he moved to Bologna, where he joined one of the most prestigious dance academies in the world.

Specialising in Latin style, he went on to win a number of worldwide competitions, including the 2012 Italian Championships, before BBC producers came calling in 2015 and he hit his big break.

He said: “I have spent all of my life dancing. I even have a tattoo of dance is life on me.

“Dancing is my life, and with the help of some very talented people we have created this story filled with some of my all-time favourite dance styles. The show is not just a dance performance, but also a beautiful love story.

“This is the first time I have done anything like this and I am really excited but I am also scared.

“I am petrified because it is a lot of responsibility on me as the star of the show.”

Dance is Life features dances like the Quickstep, Samba, Rhumba and of course Giovanni’s signature dance the Jive, for which he holds a Guinness World Record.

To put the show together he has had a little help from a few recognisable faces.

“We have the choreographer and director from the Strictly live show so I am really happy.

“They are amazing and the best in the business.

“We have three other couples joining me on the stage as well.”

He will be partnered on stage by leading lady Luba Mushtuk, Strictly’s Jason Gilkison is directing the show and couples Kai Widdrington and Giulia Dotta and Emily Barker and Curtis Pritchard are joining the fun.

Giovanni continued: “Hopefully we will see how the first one goes and then maybe do some more.

“I really hope audiences will enjoy my show, and I hope we can inspire more people to embrace and love dance as much as I do.”

Tickets cost £26 for adults and £25 for concessions.

VIP tickets are available for £40 and there will be a question and answer session with the stars after the show.

Visit www.braintreeartstheatre.com or call 01376 556354.