Strictly’s Kai gets very cosy with Love Island’s Maura Higgins at boozy awards show – after split with co-s... ngocc

   

STRICTLY'S Kai Widdrington was pictured looking very close to Love Island's Maura Higgins after last night's Pride of Britain Awards.

The pro dancer, who is without a celeb partner in the current series, split from co-star Nadiya Bychkova earlier this year.

Maura Higgins and Kai Widdrington looked cosy at a five-star hotel last night after The Pride of Britain Awards

Maura Higgins and Kai Widdrington looked cosy at a five-star hotel last night after The Pride of Britain AwardsCredit: Splash

Kai and Maura were dressed to impress for the glitzy event

Kai and Maura were dressed to impress for the glitzy eventCredit: Splash

Glam Maura's pearls and slick hair gave off an aura of old Hollywood

Glam Maura's pearls and slick hair gave off an aura of old HollywoodCredit: Splash

Kai and Maura hunkered down in the five-star JW Marriott Grosvenor House after the star-studded event celebrating the nation's unsung heroes.

Love Island legend Maura looked like a Hollywood siren with slick brunette hair, pearls around her neck and a plunging black dress, while Kai was smart as ever in a black suit.

At one point Maura tenderly tickled Kai's face with a peach-coloured rose.

When the pair climbed to their feet, Kai held Maura's shoulder in a position that wouldn't have looked out of place in a sizzling ballroom routine.

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Kai appeared to be in his element at the plush venue, smiling and hugging Strictly's Dr Punam Krishnan around the same table.

Earlier in the evening, his ex Nadiya made it clear she and Kai are no longer on good terms.

She told the Mirror: "We work together but we are not friends and that’s ok.

"One thing I can tell you is that when you see me dancing with him it will be amazing because I’m a professional."

The pair had a passionate two-year romance after hitting it off on the BBC show.

But a source told us this summer: "Kai and Nadiya seemed like the most perfect couple and have been so, so blissfully in love.

"But the pressures of touring - being in each other’s space 24/7, and the stress of performing a sell-out show eventually took its toll."

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Meanwhile, Maura has been linked with Towie legend Pete Wicks, who is dancing with pro Jowita Pryzstal in this year's Strictly.

Last year, Maura and Pete were pictured kissing in a London bar - and they were photographed looking close recently, too.

Nadiya let her down after the tear-jerking ceremony last night by having a laugh with Gladiators man mountain, Giant.

The pair were pictured having a good chin-wag at the after-party.

Kai and Nadiya split earlier this year after two years together

Kai and Nadiya split earlier this year after two years togetherCredit: Getty

Nadiya dazzled in a sparkly, feathered number

Nadiya dazzled in a sparkly, feathered numberCredit: PA

Kai gave Strictly's Dr Punam Krishnan a hug

Kai gave Strictly's Dr Punam Krishnan a hugCredit: Splash

The dancer and TV doc looked to be having a blast

The dancer and TV doc looked to be having a blastCredit: Splash

The dancer appeared to be a hit with the ladies

The dancer appeared to be a hit with the ladiesCredit: Splash

Maura caught the eye in her pearls and glam black dress

Maura caught the eye in her pearls and glam black dress