STRICTLY Come Dancing star Giovanni Pernice is marking a career change as he celebrates landing acting role.

The professional dancer will be strutting his stuff on camera alongside a Hollywood legend.

Giovanni, 30, may be best known for his ballroom steps, but he's now preparing to make a name for himself on the big screen.

The Italian pro has a role in a fantasy film called Man and Witch: The Dance of a Thousand Steps, in which he features alongside acting great Christopher Lloyd.

Lloyd is best known for his role as Doc in the famous Back to the Future flicks.

Also starring in the new film is Sean Astin (Goonies, Lord of the Rings), Tami Stronach from The NeverEnding Story and Lost's Michael Emerson.

An industry source told the Daily Star: “This is a big deal for Giovanni. He is thrilled to be part of the film that features a legend like Christopher.

“And he is hoping this will be the start of a whole new career for him.”

Friends also commented it was a "dream come true" for the Strictly pro and that he has "loved every second of it."

The dancer, who filmed his scenes in Glasgow last week, also joins a cast list which includes Games of Thrones star Daniel Portman and Pauline McLynn (Father Ted, EastEnders).

A synopsis for the film describes it as: "A heartwarming homage to the lo-fi fantasy films of the 80s and a comic adventure that both fulfills and subverts the expectations of what a fantasy universe can be."

Meanwhile fans can still expect to see Giovanni strutting his stuff on the dancefloor as he makes up the list of 2021 professionals.

Giovanni has been on the show since 2015 and last year made it to the semi-finals with newsreader Ranvir Singh.

Last month The Sun revealed the Strictly hunk has joined exclusive dating app Raya in a bid to find love after his split from Pussycat Doll Ashley Roberts.

Giovanni split from Pussycat Doll girlfriend Ashley Roberts, 39, in January last year after meeting on the BBC1 primetime show.

A source close to the dancer told The Sun: “Giovanni is a good looking chap and is keeping all his options open at the moment.

“He’s keen to find love again and Raya appears to be the place to do it.”

Source: Read Full Article