STRICTLY Come Dancing star Rose Ayling-Ellis has delivered a brutal quip to her former partner Giovanni Pernice.
The professional dancer was seen swapping his EastEnders' star dance partner for one of her their former co-stars.
Rose, 28, won the Strictly Come Dancing Glitterball trophy alongside dancer Giovanni, 32, in 2021.
Earlier this week, he was spotted heading out to visit Strictly judge and former pro dancer Anton Du Beke as he performed in his latest pantomime role.
The pair could be seen grinning wide for the social media photo, as they cosied up backstage at the panto.
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Giovanni donned a blue suit with a pink shirt as he combed with dark locks into a sleek style, while Anton, 56, kept it casual in a grey jumper.
"Fantastic evening watching my partner in crime Anton Du Beke in Jack and the Beanstalk," Giovanni wrote.
But fans were quick to hit back - as they noted that Rose was also taking part in a play, that Giovanni was yet to see.
"Have you seen Rose in her play?" one said, as a second added: "Could've popped in to see Rose."
The following day Giovanni returned to Instagram to share snaps of himself and the former soap actress behind the scenes of her play, hitting back at the commenters.
He smiled wide with Rose, who looked stunning in blue jeans and a blue jumper, letting her blonde hair flow down her chest,
She leaned into Giovanni before playfully putting him in a headlock, as her dance partner gushed over her.
"Another amazing evening, watching my second partner in crime," he penned. "Brilliant performances."
However, Rose took the chance to issue a brutal quip to her former dance partner, as she joked about who was his 'number one'.
"Nice to know that Anton is your number one," she teased, alongside a laughing emoji, under the snap of the pair.
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She then clarified it was a joke, alongside heart emojis: "Thank you so much for coming."
It comes after Giovanni gushed over former show partner Rose Ayling-Ellis amid her new career announcement.
The Sun recently exclusively revealed how Gio had welcomed Rose to his native Sicily this summer, and added to suggestions they could be more than friends.
Gio has now revealed their close bond further as he branded the actress a "legend" after she announced her new gig.
He added an Emoji icon with heart-shaped eyes to cement his point.