Strictly 2018 star Lee Ryan spotted holding hands with engaged dance pro Nadiya Bychkova

Strictly Come Dancing star Lee Ryan and professional dancer Nadiya Bychkova proved they’ve got a solid friendship on and off the dance floor after they were pictured taking a stroll hand-in-hand.

The former Blue singer and Bychkova, who is engaged, were spotted in central London as they took a break from Strictly rehearsals on Tuesday.

The duo appeared to shrug off finishing in the bottom two on Sunday night’s results show as they laughed and joked with each other.

The pair came up against Susannah Constantine and Anton Du Beke in the dance off after failing to win over the public with their jive to Blue Suede Shoes.

But they were saved to dance another week after the judges voted unanimously to give Constantine the boot.

Ryan posted a defiant message on Instagram, telling fans he will need to be ‘dragged’ from the BBC ballroom as he has no intention of getting kicked off soon.

Alongside a picture of a rhino he wrote: “I didn’t survive in this industry for 20 years now without growing some thick skin like this dude!!

“I’ve been knocked down more times than a bowling pin – it’s how you come back fighting that shows the true strength and character of a person you gotta drag me and @nadiyabychkova out of this show @bbcstrictly!!!”

Ryan revealed his excitement at being partnered with Bychkova, saying he had “butterflies” after the announcement.

Speaking in his VT he said: “When I found out I had butterflies in my stomach, just crazy.

“I thought I was just gonna pick her up and spin her around.”

The pairing has seen Bychkova hit with ‘Strictly curse’ claims a year after she faced them with EastEnders star Davood Ghadami.

Bychkova is currently engaged to Matija Skarabot, a famous Slovenian footballer, who she shares a one-year-old daughter with.

Strictly Come Dancing is on BBC One, Saturday at 6:30pm