Sizzling Strictly gets touchy-feely
THIS year’s Strictly Come Dancing final is set to be the steamiest ever as three of the four pairings struggle to keep their hands to themselves.
Title favourite, TV presenter Stacey Dooley, sparked fresh romance rumours as she made a cheeky grab of dance partner Kevin Clifton’s bum following their show-opening Charleston dance on Saturday night.
It was followed by Steps star Faye Tozer affectionately stroking dancer Giovanni Pernice’s exposed abs following an explosive samba routine.
YouTube star Joe Sugg has also grown close to dancer Dianne Buswell and they almost kissed during a sultry Argentine tango.
Stacey and Kevin’s intimate moment came as it was revealed the broadcaster’s long-term boyfriend Sam Tucknott is “insanely jealous” of the dance duo’s relationship.
Kevin, 36, split last year from his wife and fellow Strictly star Karen. In the five years the Grimsby-born professional dancer has been on the show he has been partnered with two other celebrities who have since split from their partners.
They include Good Morning Britain host Susanna Reid who brokeup with Dominic Cotton and singer Louise Redknapp who split from former football star husband Jamie.
Friendship
Fitness trainer Sam, 33, was in the audience cheering when Stacey, 33, made her cheeky grab for Kevin after the first of two routines.
Faye, 43, has admitted her marriage has come under huge strain during the three-month show but it is thought she spent Saturday night in a swish four-star hotel with husband Mark Smith as they celebrated their ninth wedding anniversary.
It is understood BBC bosses allowed her to spend the night in a separate hotel from her fellow contestants along with her husband after rumours of her growing close friendship with Italian Giovanni.
Both Faye and Stacey are through to next week’s showdown for the 2018 glitter ball trophy after Paralympic hero Lauren Steadman last night became the eleventh celebrity to leave this year’s show.
Lauren and dance partner AJ Pritchard, who performed a tango, faced the dance-off with former Pussycat Doll Ashley Roberts, 37.
The American fought back tears having received the lowest votes from viewers who feel she should not be in the show because of her previous dance training. Judges, who gave her and partner Pasha Kovalev straight 10s for their American smooth, saved them in the dance-off for the third week running.
Lauren said later: “I have loved my Strictly journey and it has been so much more than anyone ever tells you it’s going to be and that you thought it would be.” AJ told Lauren: “You have changed so many people’s opinions and it has always been about ability not disability.”
The remaining couples each perform three dances in Saturday’s final before hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman crown the champion. Faye touches Giovanni’s chest, while Ashley and Pasha, left, win the dance-off for the third week as Lauren and AJ leave the show, right