BBC Strictly's Jowita Przystal opens up on special 'connection' to Pete Wicks before awkward moment

Strictly Come Dancing sensation Jowita Przystal has spoken out about her "connection" with Pete Wicks.

Despite queries and fan suggestions pointing towards a possible romantic spark between the duo after viewers observed their 'chemistry', both Jowita and Pete have maintained that they are nothing more than friends.

In a candid admission on It Takes Two this evening, Jowita commended Pete's chivalry and his "old fashioned soul" while addressing their "connection". She gushed: "I think Pete is such a gentleman and he puts his arms in a frame and hold me and always likes to be in contact with me. I feel he's such an old school old fashioned soul so he likes that connection when we do ballroom. I think he likes to have control over me so that's why he likes ballroom."

However, things took an awkward turn when Pete was caught off guard with a birthday cake ahead of his celebrations tomorrow, reports the Mirror. Host Janette Manrara brought up the impending celebration by sharing: "It's a big day tomorrow which needs celebration! It's your birthday tomorrow! " while an apparently embarrassed Pete found himself at the centre of attention as Jowita applauded and Neil Jones and Karen Hauer joined the festivity, presenting him with a cake and cheering with pom poms.

Pete addressed speculation about a "love bubble" with Jowita on This Morning, saying: "It's not a love bubble unfortunately, you came in early that was about 30 seconds.

"We have great chemistry because we've become such good friends. 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 dancing."

When questioned about the rumours, Pete seemed unfazed, saying: "It's always the same. I'm used to it. For ten years that's all anyone has ever really been interested in, is that side of stuff. But we don't really listen to all of that."

Meanwhile, Maura Higgins, who is reportedly dating Pete Wicks, remained tight-lipped about their relationship on the We Need To Talk podcast, simply stating: "We just get on very, very well," and refused to elaborate further.

*Strictly: It Takes Two airs on weekdays at 6.30pm on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer.