Pete Wicks and Jowita Przystal have reportedly become the “first Strictly romance” of the season following the recent romance speculation.
The former Towie star and professional dancer are partnered together on the current season of the hit BBC show.
The two have sparked romance rumours since the hit dance competition show began.
A source has told the DailyMail Pet and Jowita’s relationship is an “open secret” among the cast and crew.
The insider told the publication: “Pete has fallen head over heels for Jowita. He thinks she is amazing in every way.”
“The feeling is mutual from her side and things have definitely progressed between them.”
“They are all over one another behind the scenes, in a way that a loved-up couple would be.”
They continued: “It appears that we may have the first Strictly romance of the series, which is so exciting. They are the talk of the show.”
“The other contestants are really happy for them. They are always smiling. It’s lovely.”
“It will certainly brighten up the show following the dreadful saga around Giovanni (Pernice) and Amanda Abbington.”
Last week on the show, Pete and Jowita were close to locking lips as they leaned in during the end of their dance, just millimetres apart.
While it may have been part of the beautiful choreography, many fans believed it was the growing romance between the two.
On fan wrote on X: “Pete and Jowita almost kissing?!” as another added: “How long before Pete tries to kiss Jowita properly?”
Strictly Judge Motsi Mabuse commented on their connection, saying: “I think both of you, you had such a beautiful, flirty, romantic atmosphere, and I believed it was authentic.”
However, Pete continued to fuel speculation he’s dating Maura Higgins, despite sparking romance rumours with his Strictly partner Jowita.
Just hours after he appeared to kiss Jowita during their American Smooth on last Saturday’s live show, the former TOWIE star was pictured cosying up to Maura on the Sunday night.
In photos published by MailOnline, the pair put on a flirty display as they enjoyed a night out at The Ship in Wandsworth alongside his Strictly pals Wynne Evans, Tom Dean and Jamie Borthwick.
An onlooker claimed Pete and Maura were inseparable, whispering in each other’s ears and even interlocking legs.
The eyewitness said: “They were all over each other, I was surprised to see them looking so close because I thought he had real chemistry with Jowita.
“At one point they were basically straddling each other and didn’t seem to care at all that people could see them.
“You’d think Pete would be more concerned about Tom given he’d just been given the boot on Strictly but he only had eyes for Maura all night!”
Pete and Maura sparked romance rumours in August when they were papped kissing outside the Broadwick Soho Hotel.