Strictly Come Dancing has denied claims the show’s talent executive Stefania Aleksander is dating former contestant Seann Walsh.
The Sun claimed the pair were “getting close” and have been going for lunch together.
In photos obtained by the publication, Seann, 33, and Stefania shared a hug and laugh after enjoying a lunch and workout together.
Read more: Strictly stars Katya and Neil Jones insist they’re “over” Seann Walsh kiss
It was said the pair have been close since December, with Stefania taking Seann to the TRIC Awards Christmas lunch where they sat on a table with top BBC executives.
A source told the outlet: “Seann and Stefania regularly meet up for lunch and have been mates for a long time, but recently they have grown a lot closer.
“He was definitely keen to impress her and make her laugh, they seemed to have lots of flirty energy. When they said bye at the end it was a close and warm hug.
“Stefania has told pals she is still single, but she has a soft spot for Seann after all these years.”
However, a spokesperson for Strictly has said: “It is the job of a Talent Executive to maintain relationships with contestants both past and present and any suggestion that this is anything other than a working relationship is not true.
“Strictly is a global brand that operates all year round.”
During the series last year, Seann was caught up a scandal after being pictured snogging his professional dance partner Katya Jones.
Both Seann and Katya apologised after the photos emerged of them kissing after a night out.
During an appearance on Strictly’s spin-off show, It Takes Two at the time, Seann said: “I’m sorry for the hurt I’ve caused… We had a couple of drinks. We made a huge mistake and I regret it deeply.”
Katya also said she “can’t apologise enough”.
Seann was publicly dumped by his girlfriend Rebecca Humphries, while Katya and her husband Neil Jones have remained together.
Katya and Neil recently spoke about the scandal during an appearance on Lorraine, saying they’re “over” the kiss.
Neil said: “For me it was a major shock, and I appreciated that Katya told me before I saw it. Strictly were fantastic with me and with us all, they were supporting us all.
“I was actually more worried about Katya because I could see what was going to happen, and I was like ‘as long as she’s going to be OK’.
Read more: Neil Jones has forgiven Katya Jones for Strictly snog with Seann Walsh
“It was a natural reaction, of course [I love her] because we’ve been together for a long time.”
Katya added: “There was lots of different emotions… And I think now that we’ve moved on, you might even forget how you felt at that moment.
“Look, 10 years of being together and that’s not for nothing. We’ve gone through so many things together.”
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