19 August 2023 , 15:17
601
0
A Strictly Come Dancing pro has dropped a huge pairing hint after he told Zara McDermott's boyfriend "she's safe with me".
Neil Jones made the confession to the Love Island star's partner Sam Thompson after he shared his concerns about her going on the show. It appears the professional dancer could be paired with Zara. She would be his third celebrity partner on the show, despite joining the dance programme seven years ago.
The dancer, who is expecting his first child with Love Islander Chyna Mills, let the secret slip when commenting on social media. Zara's Made In Chelsea boyfriend Sam opened up about her appearance on Strictly on Hits Radio. He chatted to new Strictly It Takes Two host Fleur East about Zara's stint on the much-loved programme. She asked: "I need to ask if you are ready for this? The first thing I have to ask you is are you a jealous person?"
Neil has teased he could be Zara's pro dance partner (Jed Cullen/Dave Benett/WireImage)
Zara is the first Love Islander to take part in the show (@zara_mcdermott/Instagram)Sam replied: "If you're off dancing with someone else, as long as I'm playing Fifa I'm cool." Fleur asked if the reality TV star was ready to "date a new version" of Zara every week. She said: "One week she'll be in waltz vibe, next week she'll be in salsa vibe" whilst someone off camera added: "Next week she'll be in an affair with Neil."
Sam replied: "Who is Neil?" The clip was then shared on social media, where dancer Neil stoked the rumour mill, writing: "Don't worry @samthompsonuk you are definitely safe with me." His tease sent fans into a frenzy as one person said: "Does this mean you have a celebrity partner this year? You and Alex [Scott] where amazing!" Another added: "Spoiler alert!"
EastEnders' Jake Wood's snap of son has fans pointing out the pair's likeness
Yet Neil isn't the only dancer rumoured to be paired with Love Island's Zara. Eagle-eyed Strictly Come Dancing fans have now spotted a major clue as to who Giovanni Pernice may be paired up after taking a look through his Instagram followers. Shrewd fans of the Italian hunk are certain that he is set to dance with former Zara or Amanda Abbington, given that he only follows them out of the entire Strictly line-up.
It comes after Sam is said to have fears over the infamous Strictly curse. The former Made In Chelsea star is said to be feeling “insecure” over her impending stint on the show. The couple split back in August 2019 after a source revealed Zara had enjoyed a tryst with 'someone in the music industry' while she appeared in X Factor : Celebrity.
The BBC family show has gained a wild reputation over the years thanks to the infamous show 'curse'. Celebrity contestants hooking up with their professional dance partners has become as much a feature of the show as sequins and controversial scores. Most recently Great British Bake Off star John Whaite confessed to "falling in love" with his dance partner Johannes Radebe.
Zara joins a host of famous faces this year as former British Number One tennis player Annabel Croft, EastEnders heartthrob Nigel Harman and current BBC soap star Bobby Brazier were announced. World and Paralympic Champion Jody Cundy was also confirmed as a contestant while Coronation Street star Ellie Leach is swapping the cobbles for the Strictly dance floor after portraying Faye Windass for 12 years on the ITV soap.