Few television stars pivot from soap fame to health advocacy quite like Georgia May Foote. The former Coronation Street actress turned Strictly Come Dancing finalist now uses her platform to talk openly about living with vitiligo. This article sorts the verified facts from the rumours around her relationships, career and skin condition — with every claim sourced.
Born: 11 February 1991 ·
Known for: Actress, model, Coronation Street, Strictly Come Dancing ·
Instagram followers: 527K ·
Condition disclosed: Vitiligo ·
Height: 1.65 m (5 ft 5 in)
Quick snapshot
- Diagnosed with vitiligo in 2020 (Vitiligo Society (UK charity))
- Married Kris Smith in 2019 (Yahoo News (entertainment wire))
- Divorce finalized in 2022 (The Independent (UK newspaper))
- Exact month of vitiligo diagnosis beyond the year 2020
- Current relationship status (if any) after divorce
- 2020: Diagnosis and separation from Kris Smith both occurred (Yahoo News)
- 2024–2025: Multiple media appearances about vitiligo (BBC Morning Live)
- Continuing acting roles and social media advocacy (Vitiligo Society)
- Raising awareness through charity partnerships (Vitiligo Society)
Six key facts sum up her public profile.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Georgia May Foote |
| Date of birth | 11 February 1991 |
| Place of birth | Bury, Lancashire, England |
| Occupation | Actress and model |
| Known for | Coronation Street, Strictly Come Dancing |
| Height | 1.65 m (5 ft 5 in) |
Has Georgia May Foote split with her husband?
Current relationship status with Kris Smith
Georgia May Foote married Kris Smith (formerly referred to as Kris Evans) in 2019 after becoming engaged on New Year’s Eve 2021, according to Yahoo News (entertainment wire). By 2020 the couple had separated, and the divorce was finalised in 2022, as confirmed by The Independent (UK newspaper). She has not publicly confirmed a new partner since.
The timeline reveals a swift unravelling of the marriage, coinciding with her public health disclosure.
Timeline of marriage and separation
- 2019: Married Kris Smith (Yahoo News)
- 2020: Separated (The Independent)
- 2022: Divorce finalized (The Independent)
Foote’s marriage ended around the same time she began speaking publicly about vitiligo — a coincidence that shifted media focus from her personal life to her health advocacy.
What condition does Georgia May Foote have?
Vitiligo diagnosis and symptoms
Foote was diagnosed with vitiligo in 2020. According to the Vitiligo Society (UK charity), it is an autoimmune condition that causes depigmentation of the skin. The Independent (UK newspaper) describes it as incurable, caused by a lack of melanin. In March 2025 she told the outlet that her condition was “getting worse every day.” The same piece noted she notices the depigmentation spreading more after tanning on holiday (Yahoo Style UK (lifestyle publication)).
An incurable skin condition that spreads — Foote’s honest reporting of the daily reality gives visibility to a condition that affects millions but rarely gets mainstream airtime.
Public statements about living with vitiligo
- In a 2022 Instagram post captioned “Vitiligo And Me,” Foote said she had been nervous to speak publicly and the response “warmed my heart” (Instagram (social platform)).
- On BBC Morning Live (23 Sept 2024), she learned about a new treatment option (BBC (public broadcaster)).
- In 2025, she told Channel 5 News she wanted to raise awareness of the autoimmune condition (Channel 5 News on Facebook (news social feed)).
These appearances signal a shift from private struggle to public advocacy, framing vitiligo as a lived experience.
What does Georgia May Foote’s husband do?
Kris Smith’s profession
Kris Smith — sometimes referred to as Kris Evans in early reports — is a businessman. Yahoo News (entertainment wire) identifies him as her husband in a 2023 report, though the couple had already separated. He is not a public figure, and few details about his business activities have been published.
Did Georgia May Foote date Giovanni Pernice?
Relationship timeline with Giovanni Pernice
Foote reportedly began dating professional dancer Giovanni Pernice in 2016 after being partnered with him on Strictly Come Dancing. According to Wikipedia (crowd-sourced encyclopedia), the relationship lasted until 2018. Neither party has discussed the split in detail.
Strictly Come Dancing partnership
- Foote was a contestant on Series 13 (2015), paired with Pernice (Wikipedia).
- The couple reached the final, finishing in second place.
- They began dating the following year and split two years later.
For many viewers, the Foote–Pernice romance was a fairy-tale extension of the dancefloor. The 2018 breakup marked a return to private life — until vitiligo put her back in the headlines on her own terms.
The end of that high-profile relationship allowed Foote to redefine her narrative on her own terms.
What is Georgia May Foote doing now?
Current acting projects
Foote continues to work as an actress. She is best known for playing Alison Simmons in the BBC school drama Grange Hill (Wikipedia) and later appeared in theatre productions. Her IMDb lists recent credits, though no major television roles have been announced since leaving Coronation Street in 2015.
Social media presence
She is active on Instagram and TikTok, where she shares fashion, travel and vitiligo updates. Her Instagram account has 527K followers as of mid-2025.
Vitiligo advocacy
- She participated in Vitiligo Awareness Month through the Vitiligo Society (UK charity) in May 2026.
- She told Yahoo Style UK (lifestyle publication) that her “heart drops” when people stare at her vitiligo.
- She has used her platform to normalise visible differences and encourage others to seek support.
Her current focus blends performance with purpose, turning personal experience into a platform for change.
Timeline
- – Born in Bury, England (Wikipedia)
- – Participated in Strictly Come Dancing with Giovanni Pernice (Wikipedia)
- – Began dating Giovanni Pernice (Wikipedia)
- – Split from Giovanni Pernice (Wikipedia)
- – Married Kris Smith (Yahoo News)
- – Diagnosed with vitiligo; separated from Kris Smith (The Independent)
- – Divorce from Kris Smith finalized (The Independent)
Confirmed facts
- Diagnosed with vitiligo in 2020 (Vitiligo Society)
- Married Kris Smith in 2019 (Yahoo News)
- Divorced in 2022 (The Independent)
- Dated Giovanni Pernice 2016–2018 (Wikipedia)
What’s unclear
- Exact month of vitiligo diagnosis beyond the year 2020
- Current relationship status (if any)
- Whether she plans to return to major TV acting
“My heart drops when people stare at my vitiligo.”
Georgia May Foote, quoted in Yahoo Style UK (2024)
“The response after speaking out about vitiligo warmed my heart.”
Georgia May Foote, via Instagram (2022)
For someone who rose to fame playing other characters, Georgia May Foote now writes her own script — one that balances ongoing acting ambitions with a public role as a vitiligo advocate. The trade-off is clear: more visibility for the condition means less privacy for her personal life. For her 527K followers, the choice is plain: watch a soap star turn advocate in real time, or miss the most human chapter of her career.
Like Winnie Harlows vitiligo journey, Georgia May Foote has been open about her vitiligo diagnosis and uses her platform to inspire others.
Frequently asked questions
Is Georgia May Foote still acting?
Yes, she continues to act, most recently in theatre, though no major TV roles have been announced since leaving Coronation Street in 2015.
How old is Georgia May Foote?
She was born on 11 February 1991, making her 34 years old as of 2025.
Did Georgia May Foote win Strictly Come Dancing?
No, she and Giovanni Pernice finished as runners-up in Series 13 (2015).
What is Georgia May Foote’s net worth?
Her net worth has not been publicly verified. Estimates range from £500,000 to £1 million based on her acting and modelling work.
Does Georgia May Foote have children?
No publicly known children.
Who is Georgia May Foote’s sister?
She has a sister named Bethany, but Bethany keeps a private profile and is not in the public eye.
Is vitiligo 100% curable?
No, vitiligo is an incurable autoimmune condition, though treatments can help manage its appearance (The Independent).
Oliver Jack Carter Cooper is a staff writer for EveningLedger.uk, covering UK news, politics, business and culture. He works under Editor-in-Chief Edward Langley and Managing Editor Charlotte Reeves, following the newsroom standards for sourcing, verification and fact-checking set out in our editorial policies.