Shirley Ballas panics as Lorraine asks her about secret Strictly romance between Nadiya Bychkova and Kai Widdrington

SHIRLEY Ballas panicked today when Lorraine Kelly quizzed her on a secret Strictly romance.

The Sun revealed beauty Nadiya Bychkova, 32, had become the latest victim of the show's love curse, having secretly split from her Slovenian footballer fiance Matija Skarabot, 33.

Lorraine Kelly probed Strictly head judge Shirley Ballas on romance rumours today

The Sun revealed newly single Nadiya Bychkova and Strictly's newest pro Kai Widdrington have enjoyed a secret romance Credit: Rex

Shirley flapped her arms and insisted she hadn't a clue what was going on behind the scenes, after it emerged Nadiya and Kai Widdrington were an item.

But she teased: “Romancing and dancing, things…”

The 61-year-old stopped herself saying too much, adding on ITV's Lorraine today: “I don't really know what's going on to be honest.

“It's not my place to say, but you know rumours go around Lorraine.”

Nadiya, 32, and Kai, 25, previously said they were “just good friends” but are understood to have been dating for several months after she split last year from footballer Matija, dad to her daughter, five.

A source said: “It was low-key at first but they can’t help it now — they’re very much together. Kai was outside the hotel for about 15 minutes and waited until everyone else in the touring party had checked in — but Nadiya came along a short while later.

“She handed him her bags, and together they went and checked into a room. It’s clear they’re a proper item.”

Meanwhile, Nadiya, who is currently on tour with Strictly, was spotted without her engagement ring as she shopped in Calvin Klein on Friday.

And last weekend Kai, 26, took her for an intimate dinner after they arrived in Birmingham for the tour.

An onlooker said they strolled arm-in-arm into Bar Estilo and chatted for two hours before heading back to the hotel.

They added: “Nadiya looked a little down and Kai was offering his support. It was clear that they have grown very close on the show.”

Ahead of the nationwide show tour, Nadiya was said to have been the centre of “flirty” behaviour backstage.

BBC Breakfast host Dan even dismissed false claims of a backstage romance, explaining Nadiya was caught hugging him only to comfort him over the 10th anniversary of the death of his footballer pal Gary Speed.

However, a source said at the time: “Nadiya had become so flirty with a married man in front of everyone backstage.”

Another added: “The tour is not as strict as the BBC show and everyone likes to let off steam in the hotel after the performance.

“It's really fun and a chance for everyone to celebrate away from prying eyes.”

In a new interview mum-of-one Nadiya opened up about wanting to have more kids in five years time.

And asked what the one item she always packs when she travels, she cheekily answered: “My thigh high boots.”

Nadiya's 'flirty' backstage behaviour with celeb partner Dan Walker caught the attention of Strictly staff Credit: Twitter / Nadiya Bychkova