Strictly Come Dancing duo Saffron Barker and AJ Pritchard have been pictured looking cosy as they rehearsed ahead of the second live show.
The pair were deep in conversation as they grabbed a coffee together after a day of training on Wednesday, as a spokesperson told MailOnline they are nothing more than ‘great friends.’
It comes as AJ, 24, and Saffron, 19, sent fans into a tailspin as he appeared to kiss the YouTube star following their energetic Cha Cha Cha.
PICTURED: Strictly Come Dancing duo Saffron Barker and AJ Pritchard have been pictured looking cosy as they rehearsed a day before the live show
Together: The pair grabbed a coffee together following another day of training on Wednesday, as a spokesperson told MailOnline they are nothing more than ‘great friends’
In the snaps, both Saffron and AJ appeared to display their budding friendship as they exchanged looks while gazing at the dancer’s phone.
The social media star wrapped her exhausted feet in extra plasters following a hard day of practice, while AJ watched on.
As they continued with training, eventually the pair headed out to grab a coffee together, with AJ innocently placing his hand on Saffron’s shoulder.
Relaxed: As she sat on the floor of her studio, Saffron wrapped her feet in plasters as it appeared that the long hours of training were beginning to take their toll
Warming up? Later the pair headed out for coffee together after a day of practice, as they prepared to dance their Cha Cha Cha on Saturday
As the pair took to the floor on Saturday, AJ further set tongues wagging as he appeared to kiss Saffron on the dancefloor.
They had just completed a cheeky Cha Cha Cha, and AJ leaned the blonde beauty back before gazing into her eyes.
While Saffron and AJ did not actually kiss, their display sent fans into a tailspin, as it came after recent reports about their cosy display.
Cosy? It comes after a spokesperson told MailOnline that Saffron and AJ are just ‘great friends’, despite their cosy looks (pictured) earlier in the week
Together? The pair’s cosy display had sparked rumours of the so-called ‘Strictly curse’ but these have since been denied
Embattled: Saffron still appeared to be struggling with the long hours of training as she inspected her exhausted feet
Exciting: The social media star still managed to impress with her second dance of the series, despite the long hours of training
It comes after the pair sparked rumours of the so-called ‘Strictly curse’ with their cosy display.
However a spokesperson has since insisted they are nothing more than friends.
They told MailOnline: ‘AJ and Saffron are great friends and have been training really hard for their performance on Saturday evening – this is clearly ONLY what these pictures show.
‘They are loving the competition and cannot wait to perform their Cha-Cha to the Nation.’
What was that? As the pair took to the floor on Saturday, AJ further set tongues wagging as he appeared to kiss Saffron on the dancefloor following their Cha Cha Cha
This comes just days after AJ insisted that he isn’t worried about the curse, stating on Good Morning Britain: ‘My girlfriend Abbie, she’s a dancer as well.
‘She goes away and does her dancing she understands the long hours and hard work. We always want the dance on Saturday to be the best dance possible. She’s not worried at all.’
Despite AJ being in a relationship with West End dancer Abbie, some social media users cannot help but think a romance is on the horizon between the Strictly partners.
Taken: AJ is currently dating dancer Abbie Quinnen (pictured left last month)
Saffron and AJ set tongues wagging with a passionate Tango to Lips Are Moving by Meghan Trainor during last week’s show.
Rumours of a budding romance were fuelled during the launch show when, upon their pairing being announced, the vlogger ran across the dance floor and gave AJ a hug.
She said: ‘I’m so happy’ and head judge Shirley Ballas remarked that the pairing ‘already had a little chemistry, so that’s great.’
High spirits: Rumours of a budding romance were fuelled during the launch show when, upon their pairing being announced, the vlogger ran across the dance floor and gave AJ a hug
However AJ seemed to be smitten with his new girlfriend Abbie, after the pair were spotted leaving the TV Choice Awards looking happy days later.
The dancer’s focus seems to be on progressing in the show, having failed to pass the semi final stage three years running.
AJ said on The One Show: ‘I’ve been in the semi final three years in a row. As they say fourth year’s a charm. Straight to the final.
‘I’ve got so many show ideas but it’s never happened for me just yet.’
His previous dance partners were Olympic gymnast Claudia Fragapane in 2016, The Saturdays’ Mollie King in 2017 and Paralympian Lauren Steadman in 2018.
During his time with Mollie rumours were rife that the duo were romantically linked, however nothing has ever been confirmed.
Hanging out: Saffron and AJ spent time together when they visited her native Brighton
