Strictly Come Dancing's Ashley Roberts and Giovanni Pernice have been romantically linked after "really hitting it off".

Ashley Roberts

Ashley Roberts

The 37-year-old singer - who is partnered with Pasha Kovalev on the BBC Latin and ballroom show - and the 28-year-old pro dancer, who is teamed up with Steps singer Faye Tozer, are said to have developed a spark after heading out for some drinks together.

A TV insider told The Sun newspaper: "The spark between Ashley and Giovanni has become quite widely noticed among the crew - they just seem to really hit it off.

"He is training up north at the moment while she is based down here so they only get to see each other towards the end of the week. But they've been making the most of it.

"After the show each week they've been heading out for drinks together in London and just hanging out and looking very cosy."

Ashley - who previously dated Declan Donnelly - and Giovanni, who was in a relationship with his former 2015 'Strictly' partner Georgia May Foote until their 2016 split, are said to be enjoying "totally innocent fun" together.

The insider added: "It's very early days but it looks like things are going well - and of course they're both single so it's all totally innocent fun."

Earlier this year, Giovanni - who was romantically linked to TOWIE's Jess Wright following his split from Georgia - spoke of his desire to settle down and have a "big family" at some point.

He said: "Of course I want to settle, darling, I'm Italian. I want to have a big family, it's just not the time.

"I'm 27 years old - I really want to dance has much as I can."