STRICTLY dancer Nikita Kuzmin gently kisses celebrity partner Amber Davies in a sign of what show sources have called their “sizzling chemistry”.
Their growing closeness has seen the duo described by cast and crew as “locked together in their own little world”.
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Strictly dancer Nikita Kuzmin was seen gently kissing celebrity partner Amber DaviesCredit: CLICK NEWS – SPLASH
Nikita could not hide his affection for Amber after an eight hour training session togetherCredit: CLICK NEWS – SPLASH
Nikita and Amber shared a kiss as part of their Argentine Tango routine on the BBC showCredit: PA
Nikita shared a kiss with Amber on Wednesday evening after they spent more than eight hours together, training the Cha Cha Cha at a gym in North London.
Nikita, 27, donning a bright pink beanie, leaned in tenderly to kiss Amber, 29, on the head while affectionately caressing the back of hair and neck.
An onlooker said: “The pair seemed really comfortable and intimate in each other’s company.
“It seemed totally normal for him to affectionately plant a kiss on her head and hold her tenderly.
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“They’ve definitely grown close as they’ve thrown themselves into long dance rehearsals where they spend hours in physically intimate clinches.
“Their sizzling chemistry on stage is off the charts.”
It comes after the duo performed a steamy Argentine Tango on the BBC One show last weekend and almost locked lips, causing many viewers to take to social media questioning whether the infamous “Strictly curse” had struck again.
Former Love Island winner Amber, who was drafted in as a last-minute replacement for injured Dani Dyer, has been comforted by Nikita over criticism she has faced for having previous West End dance experience.
A source at Elstree Studios, where the show is filmed, said of the duo: “Amber and Nikita dominated chatter backstage last week after their sultry Argentine Tango set tongues wagging — and have done for some time.
“They were also ribbed about being caught gazing at each other’s eyes during the closing credits while everyone else was looking towards the camera.
“The couple are described as being locked in their own little world at times and the chemistry between them has raised eyebrows amongst their Strictly colleagues.
“There is an undeniable spark between them and it’s hard to believe that, unlike the rest of the cast, the pair only met a couple of weeks ago.”
The show curse references couples who become close or even fall for each other during filming.
The most famous instance in 2018 involved comic Seann Walsh, who was in a relationship, and dance partner Katya Jones, who was married to fellow pro Neil Jones, being pictured snogging outside a pub.
On Tuesday, Nikita’s model girlfriend Lauren Jaine, 24, had joked about the curse, posting a video of herself fake crying on Tiktok with the caption: “Wondering who’s gonna get the Strictly curse this year”.
She has also posted: “Comments saying ‘I hope they get the strictly curse’. Please be respectful to the real-life partners and let them have a good experience of the show too.”
Nikita’s model girlfriend Lauren Jaine had made a joke on social media about the steamy routineCredit: Splash
Amber has previously said that boyfriend Ben Joyce is supportive of her dance partnershipCredit: Getty
Amber, who danced as Ariana Grande on last night’s Icons-themed show, had previously said her boyfriend, actor Ben Joyce, who she met when they both starred in Back to the Future: The Musical in 2022, was supportive about her passionate display with Ukrainian Nikita.
She said: “It’s normal in our industry, I’ve watched him kiss someone else on stage, he has watched me fall in love with somebody on stage.”
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She also has spoken about wanting to get engaged to Ben. She said: “I hope I have an engagement ring on my finger soon. If I don’t have a ring on my finger by 30 then he can live in the shed.”
A source close to Amber told the Sun on Sunday: “Amber is very happy in her relationship and it’s widely known that Nikita greets and says goodbye to his friends and family in this way.”
Amber and Nikita (left) were seen looking very close during the Strictly live broadcastCredit:
