Strictly Come Dancing’s AJ Odudu ‘more tactile and flirty’ with Kai Widdrington in rehearsals

Strictly Come Dancing’s AJ Odudu is giving off flirty signals in rehearsals with her dance partner Kai Widdrington, according to body language expert Judi James.

After reports that the 33-year-old presenter is ‘falling’ for the new professional, it’s been claimed that she was ‘giggly and coy’ in training ahead of their most recent routine on the BBC competition show.

And their passionate American Smooth was a hit with judges Anton Du Beke, Shirley Ballas, Motsi Mabuse, and Craig Revel Horwood, sending them towards the top end of the leaderboard with 35 points.

‘AJ and Kai’s previous routines had been elegant, classy, and technically good but they had lacked the “sizzle” factor that Strictly pros like Giovanni [Pernice] have always injected into their performances to add the romance and sex to the narratives,’ Judi told us.

‘Last week there did seem to be a breakthrough for AJ and Kai. Out there on the floor, their pelvises were held closer although still not quite glued together, and they were more tactile in celebration.

‘In rehearsal, we saw much more tactile and even flirty-looking signals from AJ.’

AJ gave off flirty signals during her training VT (Picture: BBC)

Referring to a VT before their routine, Judi explained: ‘Standing together she placed a hand on his torso twice to laugh and looked even sweetly coy and giggly, placing one hand up over her face as she shared a joke.

‘I recently wrote that I would have liked to have seen AJ dance with Giovanni to bring some passion into her routines, but it looks as though Kai is stepping up to that challenge himself.’

AJ and Kai have been ‘hitting it off’, according to sources (Picture: BBC)

Kai is single after splitting from his dancer girlfriend Giulia Dotta earlier this year after five years together. 

AJ, meanwhile, recently shared she tried out the dating apps after struggling to meet a partner.

More: Strictly Come Dancing

‘I’ve used Raya in the past and apps like Hinge, but no I just don’t meet anyone, aside from TV programs I’ve done, I just don’t bother,’ she said before making her Strictly debut.

‘I’m still hoping that I’ll meet my man through a friend and he’ll [have] been there all along, you know what I mean?’

Strictly Come Dancing returns Saturday at 7pm on BBC One.

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