Strictly Come Dancing star AJ Odudu feeling the 'romance' with dance partner

Strictly Come Dancing contestant AJ Odudu is feeling the "romance" while practising routines with professional partner Kai Widdrington.

The pair's chemistry on the dance floor has been noticed by viewers and Kai was even heard saying "I love you" after their sizzling American Smooth dance to I Have Nothing by Whitney Houston from The Bodyguard during the show's Movie Week.

The TV presenter, 33, told The Sun she and Kai, 26, have incredible chemistry.

"Kai has not only been teaching me how to dance but he's been teaching me how to act," she explained. "There's a lot of passion, there's a lot of chemistry, there's a lot of romance, it's thrilling!

"And in practise, I could not look at Kai without bursting out into laughter. But now, hopefully come Saturday night, I'm going to look at him eye to eye, look in love and it's going to be amazing. But it is awkward!"

However, AJ said her mind is still focused on the competition rather than finding love.

"For me personally, I'm not thinking about it," she revealed. "I'm literally thinking, 'O.K., heel, step onto the ball, roll onto the back of your...' I'm thinking about the steps, Kai might as well not be there. Joking, I'm only joking.

"But I'm just concentrating so much that I'm not really focused on being in his personal space. And then when it comes to the performance, then I'm like, ‘Oh yeah Kai, brilliant, let's do this.’ Do you know what I mean?"

Kai also confirmed that the feelings of admiration are mutual, noting that she's everything a professional could want from a celebrity partner.

"She's a dream student, she's so good," he gushed. "And just as I'm patient with her she's patient with me as well when I'm ramping it up a little bit and making things harder and I'm always trying to push her to her best.”

Watch: AJ Odudu and Kai Widdrington dismiss Strictly romance rumours