EastEnders’ Bobby Brazier and Danielle Howard hold hands as they spark romance rumours at NTAS

EASTENDERS stars Bobby Brazier and Danielle Howard sparked romance rumours at the National Television Awards after they were filmed holding hands.

Insiders said the pair had spent the afternoon drinking together with their co-stars in a local pub close to Wembley's OVO Arena.

Bobby and Danielle are both single and appeared in high spirits as they walked towards the venue ahead of the ceremony.

An onlooker said: "Bobby and Danielle were holding hands when they first turned up at the NTAs.

"They looked really sweet together and Bobby was clearly taking really good care of Danielle. He was being really protective and held her hand as they walked along.

"As they got closer they stopped holding hands and moved away from each other.

"It seems there could be something between them but they tried to play it down."

Danielle wore a stunning silk dress with a thigh high split and styled her blonde locks in beach waves.

Bobby appeared smitten with the beauty as he wrapped an arm around her and they held hands.

It comes after Danielle was allegedly left teary after learning she was being axed from the soap.

Script bosses have planned a major storyline around single mum Lola’s departure.

It is part of new boss Chris Clenshaw’s plan to shake-up the show with a number of explosive twists over the summer.

An Albert Square insider said: “Dan was in pieces. The cull came out of the blue."

She later opened up about her future, saying: “EastEnders has been such a big part of my life, but I can’t wait to start something new.

"I want to work on other things and play other characters.

"I can’t wait to get out there and see what’s possible."

Bobby meanwhile has just kicked off his career on the Square.

The actor son of the late Jade Goody arrived in Walford last month as the son of Little Mo, Freddie Slater.