The former Pussycat Doll has been linked to the Italian professional dancer for weeks after The Sun first revealed they had enjoyed a series of dates last month.
Since then, it was claimed the pair – who are not dancing together on the BBC One show – were "inseparable" at the Blackpool after party at the weekend.
However, during an appearance on today's This Morning, Ashley denied they were a couple.
When host Phillip Schofield paused towards the end of the interview and then said "Giovanni", Ashley laughed and replied: "You cheeky little man. Giovanni and I are friends.
"Listen I'm really, really focused on the show. I am very passionate about being here and it's about the dance for me."
As Phil continued to pull faces and stare at her to try and make her squirm, she joked: "Look at him, wanting it."
She added firmly: "No, we're just friends, I'm single."
Phil's co-host Rochelle Humes said to him: "I believe that because normally you can get that out of anyone."
Ashley – who was joined by her dance partner Pasha Kovalev – said with a laugh: "I know he was staring me down."
The star also responded to accusations she had an unfair advantage over her fellow celebrities because of her past dance training.
While she explained how her time in the Pussycat Dolls was totally different to the style of dancing on Strictly, she did admit it had still probably giving her a better starting point than some of her co-stars.
She said: "Well with the Pussycat Dolls it was dancing but it was booty pop, hip hop stuff and over 10 years ago.
"I think the discipline of getting in there and thinking 'right I'm going to do this' and the focus [helps] but it's such a different style of dance.
"The way they move is so elegant, classy and precise.
"We [the band] were just feeling it.
"I mean listen, I did have this dance experience but I am learning I'm in the studio every week with Pasha giving it my all and really being focused."
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