Maisie Smith grows close to pro dancer Nikita Kuzmin on Strictly tour in behind the scenes videos
STRICTLY Come Dancing stars Maisie Smith and Nikita Kuzmin have been spotted getting close in behind-the-scenes videos.
The former EastEnders actress and the professional dancer took to Instagram to reveal they had been hanging out between rehearsals for the Strictly tour.
Maisie, 20, looked to be joined by Nikita, 24, and some of their co-stars from the BBC One dancing competition for dinner on Sunday night.
The group took to Gordon Ramsay's Street Kitchen, where Maisie jokingly thanked the chef's daughter Tilly, 19, for "providing the goods".
Following the meal, the soap star could be seen laughing with Nikita as the pair hit the gym together for a late-night workout to finish the day.
Maisie giggled towards the camera as they filmed the short clip from their time in the gym - which was posted to the dancer's Instagram story.
"The idea was better than the execution," Nikita joked of the behind-the-scenes video, which saw them sitting up one after the other.
It comes days after Maisie was spotted cuddling up with Strictly Come Dancing pro Kai Widdrington as they headed for dinner in between rehearsals.
The 20-year-old was announced as a last minute replacement for AJ Odudu in the upcoming tour and seems to have built a great relationship with Kai, 26, already.
AJ – who was romantically linked to Kai throughout the series - was forced to pull out after a nasty ankle injury.
Maisie, who came second in the competition the year before, was more than happy to fill her shows and has been hard at work over the last week.
But she took a break tonight for a bite to eat and was seen chatting away to Kai before heading home following a quick cuddle.
Maisie – who quit playing Tiffany Butcher last year – announced she was taking part this month.
She told fans: "So excited to be a part of the @bbcstrictly team again on this years arena tour - dancing with the wonderful @kaiwidd. I wish @ajodudu a speedy recovery."
While a gutted AJ said: “I’m devastated not to be able to take part in the Strictly tour due to injury.
"I had hoped for one last dance with Kai, but I must obviously follow the medical advice. I wish my Strictly family the very best of luck on the road and I’ll definitely be there to cheer them on."
It's been painful end to AJ's Strictly journey after ligament damage forced her out of the final with just a day's notice.
When AJ and Kai weren't wowing on the dance floor they were setting tongues wagging with their electric chemistry.