Sunday People

Lee Ryan dances round Strictly clinches

SINGER INSISTS HE ISN’T DATING SHOW PARTNER Gemma jealous at Aljaz

- By Sarah Robertson by Janine Yaqoob TV EDITOR

LEE Ryan yesterday insisted his relationsh­ip with stunning TV dance partner Nadiya Bychkova is nothing but Strictly profession­al.

The Blue singer hit back by declaring his love for on-off girlfriend Samantha Miller – posting a snap of them together on his Instagram page with a heart face emjoi.

It came after Samantha earlier responded to pictures published showing Lee and Nadiya looking cosy with the remark: “I’ve got a thing for genuine people.”

Profession­al dancer Nadiya and Lee were snapped holding hands while out and about in London’s Primrose Hill – just a week after they began rehearsals leading to claims the Strictly curse had struck again.

Lee, 35, was also spotted with an arm wrapped around her whilst nuzzling the cheek of the 29-year-old Ukrainian, in a relationsh­ip with footballer Matija Skarabot. But he hit back at the claims with his Instragram post of Samantha and him shopping together, which he captioned: “@misssamant­hajeny If you can’t laugh, you’ll cry.”

Personal trainer Samantha “liked” the post, while Lee answered “no babe” to a fan who asked if he and Nadiya were dating.

Samantha, 34, has son Rayn, nine, with the former singer and Eastenders actor with whom she has been in an on-off tempestuou­s relationsh­ip since meeting on Myspace in 2007.

He proposed on their second date and she gave birth to Rayn in November 2008.

Assault

However, the couple separated in 2009 after he was charged with assault. She asked for the charges to be dropped before rekindling their romance.

The pair then fell out again in 2014 when Lee grew close to both Casey Batchelor and Jasmine Waltz in the Celebrity Big Brother house, but this summer things were back on again with Lee posting gushing posts to Sam on his social media account, saying he loved her.

Samantha has previously said of Lee’s behaviour in the past: “Whatever he’s done he is the father of my child. I will always love him.” GEMMA Atkinson is not jealous at Strictly lover Gorka Marquez dancing with Katie Piper – but has a problem seeing her old show partner Aljaz Skorjanec dance with BBC newsreader Kate Silverton. The radio host, 33, who started dating pro dancer Gorka after last year’s series, said:”i’m more jealous of Aljaz dancing with a new celeb than Gorka. He got the partner he wanted – I’m happy for him. Seeing Aljaz with someone else is like he’s cheating on me.“Radio host and former Emmerdale star Gemma, a runner-up last year, also said she avoids dancing with Gorka, 28, as he is too good.

Experience

She said: “I watched him on a cruise and I go, ‘You’re really good’. He was like, ‘What did you expect?’ It’s because I’ve never really seen him dance. We’ve never danced together.” Gemma also hit back at critics who called this year’s Strictly line up Z-list. “In a few weeks, they’ll know them all,” she said. “It’s not about the money, it’s about the experience.” And she revealed she has tried to set up single radio co-host Gethin Jones, 40, with her mates. Gethin said: “I’m made to feel I’m weird because I’m single. So many people I know have settled for the wrong person and they’re not happy in. I’d rather be like this. I’m dating. A lot.” Gemma and Gethin host Manchester-based Hits Radio’s breakfast show on week days, 6am-10am.

 ??  ?? LOVED UP: Lee’s snap of him and Sam CLOSE: Lee & dancer Nadiya, right, cuddle HOT TO TROT: Gemma with Strictly pro Gorka NEW PAIRINGS: Gorka & Katie and, below, Aljaz & Kate
LOVED UP: Lee’s snap of him and Sam CLOSE: Lee & dancer Nadiya, right, cuddle HOT TO TROT: Gemma with Strictly pro Gorka NEW PAIRINGS: Gorka & Katie and, below, Aljaz & Kate

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