STRICTLY Come Dancing fans have been buzzing with speculation over the lack of chemistry between Pete Wicks and Jowita Przystal during their appearance on It Takes Two.
The duo were rumoured to have a possible off-screen romance during the first few weeks of filming.
So fans were surprised to notice an unusual distance between the duo during their interview on the spin-off show.
The pair appeared downbeat and maintained a noticeable gap between them on the sofa, prompting viewers to wonder if the romance rumors have put pressure on their partnership.
Observant viewers flocked to social media to dissect the interaction, with many pointing out their "awkward" body language.
One person wrote: "Pete and Jowita did not look comfortable together tonight and there was definitely a gap between them on the sofa."
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A second queried: "What is up with Pete and Jowita? They look distant and awkward."
Someone shared their opinion, saying: "Can't blame them with the romance rumours which Pete has said is utter nonsense."
Another person added: "Yeah that has probably ruined their whole experience, Jowita is not her bubbly self."
Pete responded to speculation that there might be a spark between him and Jowita, when he was asked about it on a podcast hosted by Olivia Attwood.
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He later confirmed that there is no romance between them during an appearance on This Morning when he was questioned about their relationship.
He told Alison Hammond: "No, it’s not a love bubble, we have great chemistry because we’ve become such good friends."
Since then Pete has also been linked to Maura Higgins, which could be another reason why he seemed distant from Jowita on It Takes Two.
Pete was recently snapped snogging the Love Island star while out and about in London.
While both stars have remained tight lipped about the budding romance, Maura did confirm they have a connection, saying: "We just get on very, very well. I adore him, he’s an amazing person.
"Do you know what's so weird? We met very soon after me coming off Love Island and we just instantly clicked.
"Our humour is the same. It’s like that sick, dark humour. It's very abusive. We abuse each other. Very nasty, it’s hilarious."
Strictly Curse - The Lowdown
STRICTLY Come Dancing's latest series has already been hit by rumours of a BBC show 'curse' - yet what is it?
A host of Strictly Come Dancing stars have been struck by the Strictly Curse during the past two decades.
This is where celebrities who may or may not be attached in the outside world become more than friends with their professional partners.
A total of 20 relationships are said to have been impacted so far over the show's 20 years.
It has seen relationships crumble with dance floor romances and punishing rehearsal schedules to blame.
This includes the partnerships of Louise and Jamie Redknapp as well as Kevin Clifton and Karen Hauer.
Controversially, Judge Craig Revel Horwood once said of the curse: “I think of it as a blessing, to be honest. One person is married, the other one had a girlfriend but my point in this entire thing is: if you come on Strictly, sometimes you are in a relationship that is not working anyway.
“There has to be something wrong in your relationship before it all goes awry.”
Series one winner Brendan Cole left his fiancé, fellow Strictly professional Camilla Dallerup, during filming for the very first series in spring 2004.
Brendan was said to have fallen for his celebrity partner and inaugural winner Natasha Kaplinsky, although the duo didn’t confirm they were romantically involved.