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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Entertainment
Tina Campbell

Strictly's Kai Widdrington and Maura Higgins spotted cosying up at Pride of Britain Awards

Maura Higgins and Kai Widdrington were spotted looking cosy together at the Pride Of Britain Awards at London's Grosvenor Hotel.

The Strictly Come Dancing pro, 29, and former Love Island star Higgins, 33, seemed close as they shared a joke after the ceremony on Monday.

Widdington was also seen seen wrapping his arms around the brunette in pictures obtained by the MailOnline.

This came as a surprise to onlookers as Higgins has recently been linked to current Strictly contestant Pete Wicks, 36.

Prior to that, she also briefly dated former Strictly pro Giovanni Pernice, 34.

Maura Higgins has recently been linked to Pete Wicks (left) (Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)

Widdington meanwhile is believed to be single after splitting from fellow professional Nadiya Bychkova, 35, in July after two years together.

One witness claimed to the publication that the two were “inseparable” and “whispering in each other’s ears”.

They further noted that they were “interlocking legs” as they enjoyed a drink alongside current Strictly contestants Wynne Evans, Tom Deane and Jamie Borthwick.

They told the MailOnline: “They were all over each other, I was surprised to see them looking so close because I thought he had real chemistry with Jowita [his Strictly dance partner].

“At one point they were basically straddling each other and didn't seem to care at all that people could see them.

Nadiya Bychkova made it clear on the red carpet that she and ex Kai Widdrington ‘aren’t friends’ (Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)

“You'd think Pete would be more concerned about Tom [Dean] given he'd just been given the boot on Strictly - but he only had eyes for Maura all night!”

One person who is unlikely to be bothered by their apparent show of affection is Bychkova, who was also at the star-studded event.She previously told The Mirror on the red carpet that she and Widdington “aren't friends”.

Asked whether they were on good terms, she said: 'We work together but we are not friends and that's OK.

“One thing I can tell you is that when you see me dancing with him it will be amazing because I'm a professional.”

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