Strictly’s Shirley Ballas says Ranvir Singh and Giovanni Pernice’s tango was ‘hot’

The dancing duo have been hit by romance rumours after Strictly Come Dancing’s Shirley Ballas commented on their ‘strong chemistry’ during last week’s contest.

And the head judge, 60, was yet again blown away by the intense closeness between Ranvir Singh and Giovanni Pernice as she branded their dance ‘so hot’ during Saturday’s live show.

Ranvir, 43, had previously teased that she and the professional dancer, 30, would be up in ‘each other’s business’ while dancing the Argentine tango to When Doves Cry by Prince.

Hot! Shirley Ballas was blown away by the intense closeness between Ranvir Singh and Giovanni Pernice as she branded their dance ‘so hot’ during Saturday’s live show

And she did not fail to disappoint, as Shirley could not help but gush about how the Strictly stars ‘almost kissed each other’ during the intimate routine. 

After the performance, she excitedly said: ‘Well it made me rather hot under the collar I have to say. You’re very feminine but extremely powerful. 

‘And I felt like you were in your own room and we were all watching from the window, as your legs got entwined and your lips puckered. 

‘And you almost kissed each other! It was so hot, it was so sensational.’

Chemistry: The TV presenter, 43, had previously teased that she and the dancer, 30, would be up in 'each other's business' while dancing the Argentine tango to When Doves Cry by Prince

Chemistry: The TV presenter, 43, had previously teased that she and the dancer, 30, would be up in ‘each other’s business’ while dancing the Argentine tango to When Doves Cry by Prince

But Shirley was not alone in noticing how close their ‘puckering’ lips came during their final pose, with Strictly fans taking to Twitter to speculate about the moment.

One fan excitedly wrote: Agree with @ShirleyBallas thought Ranvir was going in for a kiss!!’ 

While another penned: Ranvir wow think she was really lost in the moment. I honestly thought she’d kiss him at the end. Fantastic’ 

And a third gushed: ‘Ranvir couldn’t have gotten closer to Giovanni if they tried! Wow they basically kissed.’

The sensual dance scored Ranvir an impressive 27 out of 30 – an eight from Craig Revel Horwood, a nine from Shirley, and a staggering ten from Anton Du Beke, who is standing in for Motsi Mabuse as she self-isolates after returning from Germany.

Puckered lips: The head judge, 60, could not help but gush about how the Strictly stars 'almost kissed each other' during the incredibly intimate routine

Puckered lips: The head judge, 60, could not help but gush about how the Strictly stars ‘almost kissed each other’ during the incredibly intimate routine

Kiss! Shirley was not alone in noticing how close their 'puckering' lips came during their final pose, with Strictly fans taking to Twitter to speculate about the moment

Kiss! Shirley was not alone in noticing how close their ‘puckering’ lips came during their final pose, with Strictly fans taking to Twitter to speculate about the moment

Giovanni and Ranvir had previously teased that the sexy tango is all ‘about chemistry’ while speaking in a training video earlier this week.

On BBC’s It Takes Two, he explained: ‘Argentine Tango is about the chemistry between the two dancers.’

While the Good Morning Britain host quickly agreed, saying: ‘It is about the passion. I am loving it.’

They have been hit by speculation about a budding romance since Shirley Ballas commented on their ‘strong chemistry’ after their fun-filled Cha Cha last week.

She told the couple: ‘I love the flirting and teasing, there’s definitely a strong chemistry between this team.’

Impressive! The sensual dance scored Ranvir an impressive 27 out of 30 - an eight from Craig Revel Horwood, a nine from Shirley, and a staggering ten from Anton Du Beke

Impressive! The sensual dance scored Ranvir an impressive 27 out of 30 – an eight from Craig Revel Horwood, a nine from Shirley, and a staggering ten from Anton Du Beke

But Ranvir has denied that there is any romance between her and Giovanni, insisting that they find the idea that they will be hit by the Strictly curse ‘very funny’.

Speaking to The Mirror, Ranvir revealed: ‘We both find the idea that we might get hit by the curse very funny – he is a 30-year-old man!’

Her Strictly rival Jamie Laing also said that he could not see a romance between the duo, as Ranvir has told him that she ‘hates’ Giovanni after a long day of rehearsals. 

He continued: ‘He is so competitive and she is so laid back and it makes him furious, it’s hilarious. I just don’t see how the curse can happen.’

Speaking with Piers Morgan and Susanna Reid on Good Morning Britain, Ranvir also addressed how close she has to be to her Italian dance partner during the routines.

Close: Giovanni and Ranvir had previously teased that the sexy tango is all 'about chemistry' when speaking in a training video earlier this week

Close: Giovanni and Ranvir had previously teased that the sexy tango is all ‘about chemistry’ when speaking in a training video earlier this week

Ahead of Saturday’s flirty performance, she teased: ‘Wait til you see the Argentine tango… we are up in each other’s business all the time.’

But Piers, 55, seemed to support the idea of a potential romance, saying that because are both single it ‘wouldn’t be a Strictly curse, it would be a Strictly blessing if they got together’.

Looking red-faced, Ranvir said: ‘In a few mins I have to see him… [clip showing how close they’ll be on argentine tango] Well, basically you’re like that the whole time.’

Talking about their incredible chemistry, she added: ‘There is dance magic!’

Piers went on to note that the pair sizzle together, but Ranvir was having none of it. 

She said: ‘Oh he sizzles on his own, he doesn’t need my in the room. he’s a 30-year-old hot Italian he doesn’t need me.’

No romance: But Ranvir has denied any that there is any romance between her and Giovanni, insisting that they find the idea that they will be hit by the Strictly curse 'very funny'

No romance: But Ranvir has denied any that there is any romance between her and Giovanni, insisting that they find the idea that they will be hit by the Strictly curse ‘very funny’

The TV presenter is single after splitting from husband Ranjeet Singh Dehal several years ago, who she shares her son Tushaan with.

She has seen considerable success on this year’s series of Strictly, which has pushed her to juggle a hectic schedule and gruelling rehearsal regime that sees her working almost 16 hours a day.

She previously told the Daily Mail: ‘Having lots of work is a blessing, and it would be churlish not to be grateful.

‘I don’t really feel like I’m running on adrenaline, I feel like I’m just really focused. I’ve got to do the dance – I can’t delay it!

‘I thrive on pressure – my whole professional life is working to live deadlines, so it’s quite a familiar feeling.’