It’s the romance that has been the talk of this year’s series and now a Strictly insider has revealed Mollie King and her professional partner AJ Pritchard are more than just friends.
As the pair prepare for this weekend’s semi-final, they are not just rehearsing during the time they spend together, according to the source.
The insider told The Sun: “They’ve have been seen kissing, canoodling and even snogging while training.
“It’s still very early days and they are not officially dating or in a relationship, but there’s a real chemistry and attraction between them.”
Numerous celebrities have found love on the show in the past with their professional partners – including Kara Tointon and Rachel Riley – so could Mollie, 30, and AJ, 23, have a relationship after Strictly?
“Everyone is talking about it backstage and they are desperate for them to become a couple,” said the source.
“But only time will tell if this is a romance that will only exist inside the Strictly bubble or something they’ll carry on with after the show.
Rumours that Mollie and AJ are together have been rife since the start of the series and co-host Claudia Winkleman teased them about kissing on Sunday’s results show.
Speaking to the pair after they had discovered they had made it through to the semi-final, Claudia said Mollie deserved it because she was always training hard.
Read more: Strictly’s Gemma Atkinson opens up about her love life
Mollie agreed saying: “We train every hour of the day. Poor AJ must be like ‘not again’. I’m so grateful and thank you to everyone who has voted for us.”
AJ added: “Your dedication is just outstanding, you’re willing to train for over 300 hours.”
Claudia then quipped: “Very cute, and only half that time is spent kissing.”
AJ and Mollie reacted with dismay to the joke, as did their fellow dancers sat on the sofa around them.
The couple couldn’t stop giggling about it – but didn’t deny it wasn’t true!
The presenter quickly clarified “I’m joking! I’m joking!” but her comment has added further fuel to the fire that Mollie and AJ are more than just friends.
The latest teasing over their romance comes after the pair managed to avoid a public kiss to confirm they were an item despite their fellow dancers chanting “kiss! kiss!” as they awaited their scores last week.
Then on Saturday, they gave them what they wanted at the end of their sensuous rumba, appearing to lock lips at the end of their dance in which they played Danny and Sandy from Grease.
“Did you actually kiss her on the lips?” Tess Daly couldn’t resist asking as the pair went over to hear the judges’ comments.
Bruno Tonioli also hasn’t missed the sparks flying between the pair on and off the dance floor, as he told them of their rumba: “I never thought you would be able to translate these emotions into such brilliant motions.”
Read more: Strictly star reveals truth behind hospital dash
Both Mollie and AJ have denied they are dating when questioned but have admitted they get on like a house on fire and love dancing together.
They are currently preparing for this week’s semi-final where the Saturdays singer will have to master not one but two routines.