They sparked romance rumours when they were spotted getting cosy at the National Television Awards last Wednesday.
And Pete Wicks and Jowita Przystal looked to be packing on the passion as they got stuck into rehearsals for their first dance on Thursday.
The couple, who will be performing the Paso Doble to The Prodigy’s Breathe, were seen getting close as they practiced the moves for the Latin dance.
The professional dancer, 30, was seen with her hand in Pete’s hair before they later embraced during the session.
Last night the pair were seen leaving dance rehearsals with their chaperone after the BBC introduced new anti-bullying measures.
Pete Wicks and Jowita Przystal put on a passionate display as they got stuck into Paso Doble training on Thursday
The couple, who will be performing to The Prodigy’s Breathe, were seen getting close as they practiced the moves for the Latin dance
In wake of abuse claims made against Giovanni Pernice and Graziano Di Prima, show bosses announced that all rehearsals going forward would be overseen by a third party.
Pete, 36, and Jowita seemed to be getting along well with their chaperone, as they were all seen hugging on Wednesday following a 10-hour training session.
New measures were introduced after the BBC was forced to carry out a misconduct investigation when actress Amanda Abbington unexpectedly quit the show last October.
Months later, professional dancer Graziano was sacked after BBC staffers revealed they had seen footage of him ‘kicking’ celebrity partner Zara McDermott.
As a result, the BBC called in chaperones for the upcoming series to watch over the pairs – and now it has been revealed they are instructed to report anything untoward to a helpful.
A source told The Sun: ‘They’ve been told to log positive moments in rehearsals as well as anything that could be called into question.
‘However, it has been stressed that they should call the helpline immediately if anything bad happens to ensure that any wrongdoing is dealt with promptly.
‘It will also be protocol for the researchers to move between different training rooms so they don’t become too pally with the professional dancers and celebrities.’
The pair were revealed as each other’s partners during last Saturday’s grand launch
The couple were seen hugging during the training session together as Saturday night draws nearer
Jowita was seen with her hand in Pete’s hair as she pulled him close
Pete looked to be cupping Jowita’s face in the passionate routine
Jowita looked to be placing his arm in the correct position as she helped him with the technique
Pete wore his signature curls in a half up half down do
He wore a white vest top as he showed off his tattooed arms
Pete was certainly keen to embrace the full Strictly experience as he said during the launch: ‘I’m in for a penny, in for a pound. I’m never going to be here again, am I?’
Meanwhile Pete’s involvement in the BBC show shocked viewers given his close friendship with Zara and her boyfriend Sam Thompson.
Yet Pete insisted it hadn’t stopped the former Love Islander supporting him as he told MailOnline: ‘Zara loves the show, and she’s been a massive support so she will probably be my number one fan.’
When it was suggested Zara could teach him some moves, he quipped: ‘It’s my partner that’s going to teach me everything so I’m just excited to get going.’
And Pete was certainly keen to embrace the full Strictly experience as he said of the glittering costumes: ‘I’m in for a penny, in for a pound. I’m never going to be here again, am I?’
On whether being teamed up with the lovely Jowita makes it all worth it, Pete enthused: ‘Oh, 100%! The little pocket rocket? I’ve got this in the bag now, I’ve changed my mind – I’m going to win it.’
However, while he was sure on his partner, the TV star appeared a little puzzled over his upcoming dance after Jowita revealed they’ll be doing a Paso Doble to The Prodigy’s Breathe.
The pair were seen leaving the studio on Wednesday with their chaperone
Pete looked visibly tired as he wiped the sweat from his face
Jowita previously won the glitterball trophy back in 2022 with celebrity partner Hamza Yassin
The TV star appeared a little puzzled over his upcoming dance after Jowita as he asked: ‘What’s a Paso Doble?’ with a baffled look on his face
The couple looked to be going into hold as they practiced their first dance
With a baffled look on his face, the long-haired lothario asked: ‘What’s a Paso Doble?’
The pair were spotted getting very cosy indeed at the National Television Awards last week as their intimate conversations set tongues wagging amongst fellow guests that they might just strike up a romance during this year’s series.
The long-haired lothario, who has previously dated Megan McKenna, Chloe Sims, and Ella Rae Wise, was seen with Jowita after in a corridor at London’s O2 Arena where the star-studded ceremony took place.
One onlooker said: ‘Pete was admiring Jowita outfits and told her she looked stunning. They were deep in conversation, and were both leaning in close. It got people talking and wondering if there might be a Strictly romance this year after all.
‘There was a lot of affection between the pair. He was whispering in her ear which really made her smile.
‘At one point, Pete placed a protective hand on Jowita’s shoulder, it all looked very lovey dovey.
‘They’ve clearly formed a very close bond during their time on Strictly.’
Jowita, who won the glitterball trophy in 2022 with celebrity partner Hamza Yassin, has previously dated the former Strictly professional Giovanni Pernice, and has recently been linked with choreographer Arduino Bertoncello.
