They are best known as two of Strictly’s famous professional dancers.

Now, Anton du Beke – who recently swapped the dancefloor for the judging panel on the hit TV show – and Giovanni Pernice have teamed up on Him & Me, an all-dancing, all-singing collaboration which comes to Glasgow Royal Concert Hall this weekend.

It follows the success of their debut tour last year.

Glasgow Times:

Giovanni explains: “Anton is a total legend. I always wanted to tour with him and last year we finally made it happen. It was definitely the right time for both of us and our debut tour was a huge success… so here we go again.”

Anton agrees: “We began the tour last year just as we were coming out of lockdown. We only ended up doing about three weeks, so it felt like a preview, but it gave us the opportunity to review it which you don’t usually get the chance to do. So now it’s perfect.”

 The twosome has gone for the “full shebang” in the show, laughs Anton.

Glasgow Times:

“We’re holding nothing back,” he grins.

“It’s everything we love to do but also, we’re doing it together. The audience get to see our personalities and relationship with each other as well as the singing and the dancing.

"We’ve also got a great cast of singers and dancers, so the whole thing is very uplifting - I’m absolutely delighted.”

Giovanni has been taking singing lessons, he admits, to prepare for the tour.

“It’s something I want to learn more about,” he says.

“I like to sing like Whitney Houston when I’m In the shower, but realistically it doesn’t sound like that when I’m on stage.”

Anton is the only original professional dancer still on Strictly, which returns for a new series in the autumn.

He took over from Bruno Tonioli as a judge last year, alongside Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood and Motsi Mabuse.

“I absolutely love being a judge, it’s a lovely way to still be involved with the show,” he says.

“As a judge you just want to be able to help and be a part of everybody’s story. It’s a great feeling when you give pointers, and then watch it back and see how they’ve used your advice.

"I did have dance envy on the show last year though, watching some of those brilliant numbers. You sit there and think ‘I wish that was me doing that.’”

Giovanni says it is great to have Anton as a judge. “Coming from the perspective of a professional dancer himself, he knows exactly what we go through and how difficult it can be,” he nods.

“Anton really understands, it’s nice to have him there.”

Giovanni’s groundbreaking performance with deaf actor Rose Ayling-Ellis on the 2021 series of Strictly won the couple a BAFTA.

READ MORE: Exclusive pictures as Strictly stars meet fans in Glasgow

“That was spectacular,” he agrees.

“What me and Rose achieved together is bigger than anything we ever expected. We raised awareness for the deaf community, and obviously dancing together was wonderful.

"It wasn’t just the dance, it was the message that we put out there. I was privileged to be dancing with someone like Rose.”

Anton adds: “I’ve been involved with Strictly Come Dancing since the beginning, and this was the most special thing we’ve had on the show.”

Before Strictly returns, however, Anton and Gio are enjoying the tour of Him & Me.

“Once we’re in the theatre, it doesn’t even feel like we’re working,” grins Giovanni.

“Once we’re in full swing it’s the audience that gives you the strength to go forward every night. Every audience is different so every show will be different. It’s very special.”

Anton adds, with a laugh: “And we’ll let you decide who’s him and who’s me…”

Anton & Giovanni: Him & Me is at Glasgow Royal Concert Hall on Sunday, July 3.