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By DAILY MAIL REPORTER
Hands on: Kara Tointon and Artem Chigvintsev looked very close as they took a break between training Strictly Come Dancing is as famous for romances as it is for its rumbas and it seems love is on the cards again this season.
Kara Tointon, 27, is rumoured to be 'smitten' with her Russian dance partner Artem Chigvintsev, whom she has been training with ahead of tomorrow night's show.
The pair certainly seemed close as they visited a shopping centre during a break from training this week.
Artem, 28, was spotted tenderly stroking the former EastEnders star's shoulders as they made their way down an escalator.
Budding romance? The former EastEnders star is said to be 'smitten' with her dance partnerProving himself to be quite the gentleman, he was even carrying her handbag on the outing.
He has even been seen visiting the actress at her North London flat after hours, according to reports.
'It was obvious to everyone from the first rehearsal there was a huge spark between them,' a source is quoted as telling the Mirror.
Kara split from her former EastEnders co-star Joe Swash in June after a two year romance.
Ready to rumba: The pair will compete together for the first time on tomorrow's showArtem, who got his break as a contestant on the US TV show So You Think You Can Dance in 2005, has also appeared as a professional on America's Dancing With The Stars.
He dated one of the show's judges Carrie Ann Inaba, who is 15 years his senior, however their romance ended in 2008.
A spokesperson for Kara says: 'Of course Kara and Artem are spending lots of time together. They are training every day. But they are just good friends.'
Kara and Artem will join Gavin Henson and Kataya Kirshilas, who were also spotted in London today, on Strictly Come Dancing tomorrow night on BBC at 9pm.
Gavin Henson and Kataya Kirshilassource :dailymail
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