'Strictly Come Dancing' professional Giovanni Pernice is going on tour.

Giovanni Pernice with Laura Whitmore

Giovanni Pernice with Laura Whitmore

The hunky Italian - who was eliminated with celebrity partner Laura Whitmore in week seven of this year's show - will take his 'Dance Is Life' show on the road from April 2017 and can't wait to perform for his fans.

He said: "I am so excited to announce my very first tour.

"Dancing is my life so it made perfect sense to call the show 'Dance Is Life'."

The show will see Giovanni team with Luba Mushtuk, who works as a choreographer and troupe dancer of 'Strictly'.

He added: "We will be travelling around the country and the show will be filled with some of my absolute favourite dance styles.

"I cannot wait to get on the road and get started.

"A saluti!"

The 27-date tour starts in Coventry at the Albany Theatre on April 26 and ends in Lowestoft on July 23.

Despite his early exit from this year's competition, Giovanni - who made it to the final of the show in his debut year in 2015 with Georgia May Foote - praised Ore Oduba and Joanne Clifton for their "amazing" performance in the dance-off.

He tweeted: "A massive congratulations go to my friend @OreOduba and my sister @joanneclifton for the amazing performance! Well deserved! Love you both (sic)"

And Ore was pleased with his remark.

Ore tweeted in response: "Love you too brother!!! Thank you (sic)"

Joanne admitted she found it tough having to go up against her friends to stay in the competition.

She posted: "Difficult night. So hard to be up against our friends @pernicegiovann1 & @thewhitmore who danced so well . Love you both xx @bbcstrictly (sic)"

Giovanni also heaped praise on his Irish presenter partner.

He wrote: "Thanks for the great journey together.. great partner and a great dancer @thewhitmore and thanks for all your support guys ! Love Gio "

And though Laura had been nursing an ankle injury before they danced, Giovanni still felt they performed well.

He posted to her: "Even if you still injured you did a great job!!! Well done !(sic)"