Strictly's Pete Wicks shares truth about close bond with Jowita Przystał
Strictly fans would like to see the couple fall in love on screen
Strictly and TOWIE star's Pete Wicks has struck up a close bond with his dancer Jowita Przystal.
Strictly is in the early stages of the competition but Strictly fans are convinced the pair would make a great romantic couple. So much so that Strictly viewers were convinced they saw them "passionately kissing" during their American smooth.
It's true they have become great friends in the short time that they have been dancing together but former TOWIE star Wicks, however, revealed the truth behind the "kiss" on his podcast Staying Relevant this week.
We take a look at their blossoming friendship so far.
Did Pete Wicks and Jowita Przystal kiss?
The question on everyone's lips were did Wicks and Przystal share a kiss during one of their Strictly routines?
Talk of their closeness really began after their fiery paso doble performance to The Prodigy's Breathe which marked their very first dance together on the live BBC show and it has escalated ever since.
They courted attention again during their American Smooth to I Had Some Help by Post Malone and Morgan Wallen, where some Strictly fans watching at home believed the duo kissed and it was reported on in the headlines.
This week Wicks was keen to set the record straight on his podcast Staying Relevant which he hosts with his best friend. He shut down speculation of a kiss, saying it was the tricks of clever choreography.
"It’s been the same narrative for 11 years non-stop," he said. "And yet you wake up on a Sunday morning and it’s stories that haven’t even happened. For example, during the choreography, there’s a story been going around for two weeks saying me and Jowita kissed during the dance… Everyone watched it on TV! They called it a “passionate kiss”, it’s the choreography, and we didn’t."
Watch Pete Wicks and Jowita Przystal's American Smooth below...
Pete Wicks and Jowita Przystal are 'in love', says Sam Thompson
Wicks and Sam Thompson have been best friends in showbiz ever since they struck up a friendship on Celebs Go Dating, with dating expert Anna Williamson joking to Yahoo recently about how they were one of the most successful couples to leave the show.
Now Thompson cheekily quipped Wicks and Przystal were "in love" before clarifying it was "probably platonic" between them.
He said on This Morning in recent weeks: "He was on my podcast last week and - this is going to make the press - I think they're in love. It's probably platonic but he cares about her so much, the way he speaks about her is so lovely, I've never seen it before.
"I've interviewed them and he won't even look at me. They just look at each other, they're touching each other, they've got their little inside jokes. Strictly is so intimate. He's like a dog around her, if she tells him to sit he will sit."
Alison Hammond pressed his best friend further on the subject, finding out whether he'd like to see them together. He responded: "I just want to see him happy. He's one of the best people I know. What I really want to see him is be a better dancer, because he's bottom three."
Wicks and Thompson were joined on their podcast Staying Relevant by the professional dancer Przystal, prompting Thompson to make jokes about feeling "jealous" of their new bond. He joked: "Welcome to Staying Relevant hosted by two best friends, one of them is currently not even looking at me, because he's looking at his f***ing dance partner in the eyes."
He added: "Jowita I promise I'm not going to get jealous." In the caption, the two friends poked fun again writing: "Sam’s jealousy is 100% under control."
Pete Wicks reveals favourite Strictly moments
Previously, Wicks said rehearsing with Przystal was his favourite part of his Strictly experience so far because he loves learning new things from his dance teacher. The TOWIE star told his dance partner: "She makes me really happy every day."
In recent weeks, Pete said on BBC Strictly spin off show It Takes Two: "I am absolutely loving it and I never thought I would be because I didn't think this was really my thing. I'm not a dancer. I don't think I have rhythm. But what I am loving is the whole learning experience and that the bit that is most exciting for me, in the rehearsal room with Jowita.
He added: "It's my favourite bit because I'm a bit geeky and I love to learn something that's really and utterly new to me, it makes me really happy."
It Takes Two co-host Janette Manrara said: "Aw, you guys. This is cute!"
Strictly 'secret' code
The Strictly dance partners have hit it off so well that they even had their own "secret code" together which surely they hope will give them an advantage when it comes to performing. Przystal demonstrated their special "code" with a stare on the podcast Staying Relevant, claiming they don't have to use words to communicate with each other.
She said on Staying Relevant: "Me and Pete, we have a little code already. We don’t talk. Sometimes we don’t need to speak, we just know."
Strictly fans want Pete Wicks and Jowita Przystal to date
Strictly fans are loving this partnership, so much so they would love for Wicks and Przystal - both who are single - to become an item. It's no secret that dancing brings people physically closer together and often Strictly is plagued with "curse" rumours as those taking part have fallen for each other, even when they have had partners.
Among the comments on Instagram, fans of the show and Wicks wrote: "Okay, but why can I see Pete and Jowita dating in the future? They suit each other vibes so much."
Others added: "Where is she from i was hoping you would ask her!? I want to know the accent, its sooo nice , im in love with her voice ! I hope maybe they will make a couple they seem really into eachother!"
"Why do they look so beautiful together? Pete’s got a huge sparkle in his eye when he’s around her."
"Heartbroken, no I am so so happy for Pete though, their chemistry is undeniable and they look soo good together! And it is just so so sweet and heartwarming seeing Pete like this and seeing a side to him we don't often!"
"Already listened… and the chemistry between P&J makes me want to cry."