Their on-screen chemistry sparked speculation of a romance – and The Mail on Sunday can now confirm that Strictly contestant A. J. Odudu is dating her professional dance partner Kai Widdrington.
Insiders said the pair – who last night performed the Argentine Tango to the Stevie Nicks track Edge Of Seventeen – are an item.
However, they haven’t been struck by the infamous Curse of Strictly because both are single.
The Mail on Saturday can reveal that Kai Widdrington is currently dating TV presenter and Strictly contestant, as she performed the Argentine Tango in the Stevie Nicks track Edge of Seventeen.
According to a BBC One source, Miss Odudu, 33-year-old TV presenter, and her 26 year-old partner, Miss Odudu, were not able to conceal the fact that they had fallen in love during intense, exhausting training sessions.
Mr Widdrington, who made his Strictly debut this year, is said to have been ‘floored’ by his partner, who is best known for co-hosting Channel 5’s spin-off Big Brother’s Bit On The Side.
In an audio clip on Strictly’s Instagram account recorded after a performance, Mr Widdrington, who once turned down a football career with Southampton, was heard whispering: ‘I love you, I love you so much.’
The source said: ‘Kai thinks A. J. is sexy.
“They have a lovely romance going on, and things have definitely changed over the last week or two. They are now inseparable, both as dance partners, but also apart from that.
A source on the BBC One show said TV presenter Miss Odudu, 33, and her 26-year-old partner had made no effort to keep a secret of the fact that they had fallen for each other
‘It’s nice to see a Strictly romance where there is no curse, just two people who have fallen head over heels for each other.
“Those involved in this show have been following this closely over the past weeks and have believed that this was always on the horizon.” It’s lovely.’
Miss Odudu admitted last week that they had ‘chemistry’, adding: ‘There is a lot of passion… a lot of romance, it’s thrilling.’
Strictly spokesmen declined to comment on the couple’s relationship.
After last week’s performance, Mr Widdrington can be heard saying to A.J.: ‘Aww! I love you! You are so special to me!
They performed the Argentine Tango last night, which is one of their most romantic dances.
Afterwards, Miss Odudu and Mr Widdrington – who are tipped as potential finalists – almost kissed in front of the live audience and the show’s millions of viewers.
Host Tess Daly described the routine as ‘intense’, and head judge Shirley Ballas gave them a perfect ten after a standing ovation. ‘That was world championship level,’ she said.
The couple, pictured in the previous week of competition, almost sex in front of millions of viewers after performing an Argentine Tango.
Anton Du Beke gave them a nine, while Craig Revel Horwood and Motsi Mbuse each gave eight. Their total now stands at 35.
But Tilly Ramsay, 19 – who was called ‘a chubby little thing’ last week by LBC radio presenter Steve Allen – got 36 with her partner Nikita Kuzman for their foxtrot to One Direction’s hit Little Things.
They received four nines, with Revel-Horwood describing it as ‘absolutely gorgeous’.