Strictly’s Pete Wicks and his dance partner Jowita Przystal have sparked romance rumours once again.
Sources say ‘something has changed’ between Pete and Jowita, 30, in recent weeks and they have been secretly seeing each other away from the show.
At the beginning of the series, the pair were said to have ‘sent tongues wagging’ between the cast and crew due to their sizzling chemistry, with viewers even spotting their close connection.
But then the former TOWIE star, 36, was linked to Maura Higgins, 33, and they were pictured kissing on a date.
In the latest twist, Maura insisted she is single as she headed into I’m A Celebrity jungle on Thursday night.
‘The chemistry between them has been pretty clear since the moment they met but the last few weeks something has changed and they’ve started seeing each other away from the show,’ a ‘ source told The Sun.
Strictly’s Pete Wicks and his dance partner Jowita Przystal have sparked romance rumours once again
In the latest twist, Maura insisted she is single as she headed into I’m A Celebrity jungle on Thursday night
Pete was linked to Maura, 33, after they were pictured kissing on a date (pictured on November 11)
‘They’ve tried to keep it low-key but they often travel together rather than getting separate cars to different locations.
‘And they’re so tactile backstage it has become pretty obvious something is going on. Everyone is talking about the fact they seem closer than ever.’
MailOnline has contacted Pete and Jowita’s representatives for comment.
In an exclusive interview with MailOnline ahead of her jungle stint, Maura insisted she is ‘single’ despite dating TOWIE star Pete Wicks for the past few months.
The Love Island star was seen planting a kiss on Pete’s nose before the pair were spotted canoodling at the Grosvenor House H๏τel.
The couple were previously seen together enjoying a night out at The Ship in Wandsworth alongside his Strictly friends.
She claimed Pete will not be flying to Australia to meet her across the famous I’m A Celeb bridge when her time on the show comes to an end.
Pete is committed to Strictly after managing to avoid the dance-off despite receiving the lowest marks in the cast and being bottom of the leaderboard.
Pete and Jowita were thought to have become close during the show, with reports saying they had hit it off ‘immediately’
Read More Maura Higgins admits she can’t imagine finding love in the I’m A Celebrity jungle 
When asked if she is in a relationship with Pete, Maura said: ‘I’m not. I’ve been on dates with many people. I mean, I date, but I’m very much single. Everyone goes on dates.’
Indeed, the pair enjoyed a final evening together watching pianist Ludovico Einaudi at the London Palladium.
They were also spotted kissing at numerous red-carpet events such as the Pride of Britain Awards, with Maura previously speaking about how the pair have been friends for many years.
On the prospect of Pete flying across the world to greet her at the jungle bridge and reunite with close pal Sam, Maura replied: ‘I know nothing, he’s not said that to me anyway.’
The pair ‘set tongues wagging’ on the show among the cast and crew with even fans commenting on their chemistry
Back in October, Pete shut down rumours of a romance between him and Jowita during a joint appearance on This Morning.
Host Alison Hammond began their interview, by asking: ‘Do you actually listen to the judges or are you just in your own little world?’
Pete admitted: ‘I’m just in my own little world, we’re in a bit of a bubble when we dance!’ causing Alison to jump to the opportunity to probe them about their rumoured relationship, cheekily asking: ‘Is it a love bubble?’
However, Pete insisted: ‘It’s not a love bubble unfortunately…’ before poking fun at Alison, saying: ‘I mean you came in early, that was about 30 seconds before you went in with it!’
Back in October, Pete shut down rumours of a romance between him and Jowita during a joint appearance on This Morning
Alison laughed and confessed: ‘I was straight in there!’ as Pete continued: ‘You were straight in there! No, it’s not a love bubble, we have great chemistry because we’ve become such good friends.’
Gesturing to Jowita, he gushed: ‘She’s one of the most amazing people I’ve ever met, genuinely, not just in the dancing side of things but outside of that and I think that helps us with the whole dancing thing.’
Alison asked if the pair found the constant speculation about the nature of their relationship tiresome, to which Pete admitted: ‘Yeah, it’s always the same, I’m used to it.
‘Ten years that’s all anyone ever interested in that side of stuff… but we don’t really listen to that stuff.’
Dermot O’Leary was quick to defend his co-host, explaining that Pete’s best friend Sam Thompson had been spreading rumours.
He insisted: ‘The thing is we’re not like that, it’s not our fault it’s Sam’s fault! Sam comes on and is like, “Oh no he’s totally in love!” and is bouncing off the walls.’
In September, Pete opened up about his ‘failed’ love life, sharing fears he ‘may die alone’ because he ‘isn’t ready for a relationship’.
Pete admitted he needs to ‘full understand himself’ before committing to a serious relationship and settling down.
Speaking to The Times magazine, he said: ‘I’m nearly 36. I want to get married and have kids. I’ve been blessed with so many opportunities, but what’s the point if I can’t share them with anyone?
‘Right now, I’m not ready to wholeheartedly commit to a romantic relationship because I don’t fully understand myself yet.’
Pete’s previous girlfriends include fellow TOWIE alum Megan McKenna, Shelby Tribble and Chloe Sims.
