Giovanni Pernice, 29, first appeared on Strictly Come Dancing in 2015. He has made a name for himself on and off the screen. Last year he attracted headlines after announcing he was dating former Strictly contestant Ashley Roberts. The performer recently attracted headlines again but this time it was for a sinister reason.

He has been left absolutely terrified by the attack

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Strictly Come Dancing star Giovanni Pernice was attacked by masked muggers who “blinded” him with pepper spray.

The 29-year-old professional dancer was out with his friends in Epping, Essex, when two men pulled up in a car and grabbed his watch and rucksack.

Giovanni first feared it was an acid attack as the spray burned his eyes.

He was treated at the scene by paramedics and is understood to have avoided any long-term damage from the incident, The Sun reported.

A source said: “His first thought was that it was an acid attack — because of the burning in his eyes.

“He has been left absolutely terrified by the attack. It has hugely knocked his confidence.”

Giovanni’s girlfriend Ashley Roberts was said to have cancelled plans to rush to his side.

She had been left “shaken” by the attack.

The source added: “As a person in the public eye, Ashley is just as concerned that this kind of thing could happen to her too.”

What are the effects of pepper spray?

According to the Vision Eye Institute: “The effect of pepper spray on the eyes will be immediate, triggering uncontrollable tearing, involuntary closing of the eyelids, redness, swelling, stinging and temporary blindness.”

People with certain pre-existing health conditions are particularly susceptible to the effects.

The health site explained: “The epithelial layer of the cornea is disrupted by pepper spray, so people with impaired corneal integrity (diabetes, dry eye or recurrent corneal erosion) are particularly susceptible to these effects, compared to those with good eye health.”

Anyone wearing contact lenses will need to remove them as soon as possible – using clean fingers, not skin that’s been in contact with pepper spray, advised the site.

“The contact lenses should be thrown away, because they can’t be repaired,” the health body explained.

Rubbing affected eyes will only increase the intensity of pain and should be avoided, noted the site.

A person can try flushing eyes with a saline solution. Blinking vigorously to encourage tears will also help flush the irritant from the eyes, the health body said.

“Overall, there is no conclusive evidence to suggest that pepper spray will cause permanent damage to the eye, however repeated exposure could certainly cause permanent damage to the cornea,” it added.

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