Strictly Come Dancing bosses are reportedly monitoring flirty contestants Maisie Smith and HRVY after their Instagram exchanges sparked concerns they could break COVID-19 guidelines.
The EastEnders star, 19, and the YouTube sensation, 21, are understood to have been warned that they could bring the other cast into risk if they get any closer, as separate couples are ordered to maintain social distancing during filming.
It comes after the pair raised eyebrows when they engaged in a flirty exchange on Instagram, with HRVY also admitting on Saturday he ‘loves’ Maisie.
Star: Strictly Come Dancing bosses are reportedly monitoring Maisie Smith and HRVY after their flirty exchanges sparked concerns they could break COVID-19 guidelines
A source told The Sun on Sunday: ‘Maisie and HRVY are being monitored by the producers after it’s become clear their connection could easily lead into a Strictly romance.
‘They’re both young, single and hot and the thought is that the two of them could bring the other cast into risk if they break the guidelines and get closer.’
Meanwhile the Strictly cast are believed to have secretly named bosses the ‘passion patrol’.
Rumours: The EastEnders star and the YouTube sensation (pictured) are understood to have been warned that they could bring the other cast into risk if they get any closer
A Strictly Come Dancing representative declined to comment when contacted by MailOnline.
It comes as Maisie wowed the judges with her sizzling Samba on the first live show with her partner Gorka Marquez, 30, and received a score of 24 out of 30.
Meanwhile HRVY topped the leaderboard with a score of 25 for his Jive with his partner Janette Manrara.
‘Amazing’: It comes after HRVY admitted he ‘loves’ co-star Maisie and he thought she ‘looked incredible’ when he saw her wearing the glittering blue dress for the launch show
It comes after HRVY admitted he ‘loves’ co-star Maisie and he thought she ‘looked incredible’ when he saw her wearing the glittering blue dress for the launch show.
The YouTuber, said he ‘can’t wait’ to see the EastEnders actress, who plays Tiffany Butcher, ‘grow and look amazing every week’, hinting there could be romance on the horizon once the series ends.
Speaking to The Mirror, HRVY said: ‘I love Maisie, she’s a great girl and has got great banter.
Pals: He revealed how he and Maisie, who are the youngest contestants on this year’s series of Strictly, are ‘great friends’
‘When I saw her in her blue dress last week, she looked incredible. I can’t wait to see her grow and look amazing every week.’
The BBC guidelines mean stars are in a support bubble with their dance partner and they must keep a social distance and wear a mask when around other contestants.
HRVY revealed how he and Maisie, who are the youngest contestants on this year’s series of Strictly, are ‘great friends’, with the star focused on improving with dance partner Janette Manrara.
He added: ‘I am going to focus on the dancing, and all that stuff can come second, but who knows what will happen after the show!’
It comes after HRVY set pulses racing when he stripped down to his pants in shots for his 2021 calendar, sharing shots that caught Maisie’s eye.
Ch-ch-cheeky! Maisie and HRVY raised eyebrows when they engaged in a flirty exchange on Instagram earlier this week
Quickstep or quick wit? HRVY set pulses racing when he stripped down to his pants in shots for his 2021 calendar, sharing shots that caught Maisie’s eye
Alongside three black and white shots showing himself in a various stages of undress, HRVY wrote: ‘fun fact: the window blinds were open and a whole office floor in another building stood and clapped as I got undressed (2021 calendar out now)’.
Yet Maisie couldn’t resist making a cheeky dig at HRVY’s lithe physique, commenting: ‘Omg you just reminded me my spaghetti’s almost done!’
However HRVY – real name Harvey Cantwell – was quick to hit back: ‘@maisiesmithofficial stop flirting, you love spaghetti’, to which she teased, ‘prefer farfelle tbh’.
Delightful duo: Maisie is partnered with Gorka Marquez. They performed a Samba to Gloria Estefan’s Samba when the series kicks off on Saturday night
The EastEnders actress then compared him to heartthrob Justin Bieber, penning, I think they were clapping coz they mistook u for 2009 JB’, to which HRVY cheekily replied, ‘#onelesslonleygirl’.
Maisie then posted a third comment on the snap, joking: ‘The Rock been real quiet since u posted this ..’
Maisie wasn’t the only member of the Strictly family to rib the singer, with her professional partner Gorka Marquez quipping: ‘@hrvy do you want to borrow my set of Dumbbells?’
Pocket rockets: HRVY performed a Jive to Faith by Stevie Wonder feat. Ariana Grande with Janette
Made In Chelsea’s Jamie Laing then joked: ‘Is that you changing for the first time?’
HRVY did get some encouragement, however, from his partner Janette Manrara, who quickly commented, ‘Okay…. okay….’ with a flame emoji.
Maisie and HRVY are the youngest contestants on this year’s series of Strictly, and have admitted they are keeping a close eye on each other’s progress.
Not dancing around the subject: HRVY’s Strictly co-stars Gorka, Janette, Jamie Laing and Max George were also quick to comment on the steamy snap
Speaking earlier in the month, Maisie was asked who she thinks her ‘biggest competition’ could be on the show, to which she revealed: ‘I’ve spoken to HRVY actually, and he said he feels like he’s got a bit of competition and I said ‘Ditto!’
‘So, I feel he’s my biggest rival! I haven’t spoken to anyone yet but I’m looking forward to seeing them all soon.’
Meanwhile, HRVY revealed: ‘I messaged Maisie saying, ‘I guess you’re my competition this year then?’
‘Obviously everyone’s my competition but I saw her on the Children in Need special and she’s really good.
‘I DM’d her and said it was very average just so she wasn’t too big headed about it!’
Maisie won the Children in Need special with Kevin Clifton last year – making her a favourite to win the BBC series.
Feeling the heat: Maisie and HRVY are the youngest contestants on this year’s series of Strictly, and have admitted they are keeping a close eye on each other’s progress