Strictly's Maisie Smith finally addresses romance rumours with 'beautiful' HRVY

Strictly star and EastEnders actress Maisie Smith has been surrounded by a flurry of love life speculation in the last few weeks.

Strictly fans very quickly picked up on her chemistry with co-star (and main competition) HRVY, a flirty social media exchange convincing them that the two would eventually get together.

And now Maisie has refused to rule it out - but says "not right now."

"He is a beautiful-looking guy," Maisie, who plays Tiffany Butcher on Albert Square, told The Sun.

"But I have only seen him for a couple of hours a week so I am still enjoying getting to know him.

Fans have been frantically speculating over a possible romance between Maisie and HRVY (PA)

"I don't know what would happen in the future, but for now we are getting along really well as friends."

It's been reported that the BBC are keeping an extra-close eye on the series youngsters to make sure there's no kissing, banned by social distancing rules.

HRVY, meanwhile, wrote in OK! : "I've actually seen her the least out of everyone because she's not been in any of my rehearsal spaces.

"But yeah, Maisie really is so lovely and beautiful - she's a really good friend of mine and I think she's an amazing dancer."

HRVY and Maisie have both called each other 'beautiful' (Shared Content Unit)

He said 'nothing can happen' during Strictly because of the BBC's Covid rules (BBC)

He added: "Not a lot can happen between us because we have to be two metres apart, but I am a little excited to see how things blossom."

At the start of the series, he said of Maisie: "I love Maisie, she's a great girl and has got great banter.

"When I saw her in her blue dress last week, she looked incredible. I can't wait to see her grow and look amazing every week."

And they haven't been shy about a few flirty exchanges on Instagram, either.

After comparing HRVY to Justin Bieber, Maisie joked: "You just reminded me my spaghetti's almost done!"

Maisie and partner Gorka topped the week two leaderboard (PA)

HRVY landed in first place in week one (PA)

HRVY came back: "Stop flirting, you love spaghetti."

But HRVY's told that they both follow the rules, which means hanging out on set is a no-go.

He explained: "I've spoken to Maisie at the studios, but the thing is legally I'm not even allowed to go near her.

He's been tipped to win after two solid performances (BBC)

Fans expect Maisie to at least make it to the final - and maybe even lift the Glitterball Trophy (PA)

"So for now we are great friends, and she's lovely.

"I am going to focus on the dancing, and all that stuff can come second, but who knows what will happen after the show!"

Both Maisie and HRVY have given leaderboard-topping performances so far, and both are expected to make it to the final.

*Strictly Come Dancing returns to BBC One at 7:25pm on Saturday.