Strictly stars secretly dating after ‘palpable chemistry’ heats up behind the scenes-Emily Bashforth-Entertainment – Metro

Do we smell another Strictly romance? (Picture: Dave Hogan/Hogan Media/REX/Shutterstock)

Strictly Come Dancing may be over for another year, but the romance rumours continue to fly.

Like every series, 2024 was engulfed by speculation that there was more than just dancing happening when cameras weren’t rolling.

In particular, Pete Wicks, 36, and his pro partner Jowita Przystal, 30, were believed to have struck up a romance, having amazed viewers with their chemistry each Saturday night.

However, if latest whispers are to be believed, Jowita actually has eyes for another Strictly co-star.

Enter Vito Coppola, 2023 winner with Ellie Leach and 2024 runner-up with Sarah Hadland.

The Italian professional, 32, joined the Strictly family in 2022 when he danced with Fleur East, and it’s said he’s spent recent months trying to woo Polish beauty Jowita.

Vito Coppola and Jowita Przystal have reportedly grown close (Picture: David Fisher/Shutterstock)

Jowita and Vito first sparked relationship rumours during the Strictly Come Dancing: The Professionals live UK tour, and their connection hasn’t gone unnoticed.

A source told The Sun: ‘There have been several flings going on under the radar this year, but people are talking behind the scenes.

‘The chemistry on set is palpable. But Vito is very respectful of Jowita and has been trying to woo her all series.

‘Now that her partner, Pete Wicks, is no longer around to distract her, Vito can finally take centre stage.’

‘The Strictly Come Dancing tour is set to be lively next year,’ they teased.

Jowita reached the semi-final this year with Pete when the two were eliminated after a dance-off with Tasha Ghouri.

Jowita was paired with Pete Wicks this series, and they reached the semi-final (Picture: Guy Levy/BBC/PA Wire)

They’ve both repeatedly denied that they are more than friends (Picture: Instagram)

Both repeatedly shut down rumours of a fling, insisting they were just close friends.

However, just a couple of weeks ago, insiders claimed the dance partners had ‘started seeing each other away from the show.’

‘They’ve tried to keep it low-key, but they often travel together rather than getting separate cars to different locations,’ the source told The Sun.

‘And they’re so tactile backstage—it has become pretty obvious something is going on.’

Meanwhile, Pete has been photographed on a few occasions getting handsy with Love Islander and longtime friend Maura Higgins, who all but confirmed they were growing close while she appeared in I’m A Celebrity.

Despite insisting she was single upon entering the Jungle, the Irish influencer later suggested to GK Barry that they were ‘taking things slow’.

Vito reached the Strictly 2024 final with Sarah Hadland (Picture: Ray Burmiston/BBC/PA Wire)

Pete and Maura Higgins have been ‘taking things slow’ (Picture: Ricky Vigil/GC Images)

Following the show’s finale and after Maura returned from Australia, she and Pete wasted no time reuniting.

As for Jowita, her love life has been relatively private since she split from Greatest Dancer winner Michael Danilczuk. However, she was previously spotted out on dates with ex-Strictly pro Giovanni Pernice.

The BBC, plus reps for Jowita Przystal and Vito Coppola, have been contacted for comment.

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