Inside Strictly star Ashley Roberts’ forgotten ‘fling’ with Declan Donnelly

It’s currently her moves taking centre stage as she prepare for the Strictly Come Dancing final tonight.

However, long before Ashley Robert’s ballroom journey began, she was in the headlines for an apparent romance with Declan Donnelly.

The TV presenter, who is now happily married to wife Ali Astall, openly admitted to a crush on the American pop star while she was appearing on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! in 2012.

Ashley’s fresh-faced beauty, enthusiasm and amazing bikini body impressed Dec when she ended up runner-up to Charlie Brooks on the 12th series of the jungle show.

First signs of a possible romance between the pair started when the Geordie admitted on air he fancied the blonde star, after watching her complain about how desperate she was for sex.

A flustered Dec quipped: "Oh my gosh. Everything I want to say is unbroadcastable or illegal – or career-ending. Let’s calm down."

After Ashley left the jungle, she admitted she’d be open to getting to know Dec: "I’d like to get to know Dec better. It would be nice to go for a drink and a chat."

Two months later, Dec admitted nothing had happened between the pair and he apologised for putting her in the spotlight after he admitted he liked her.

He said: "She is so lovely and I felt sorry for her. She came to the country and all she was asked about was me. I felt a bit guilty about that. I didn’t get a chance to see her afterwards. If I had, I would probably have apologised."

Around the same time, Ashley landed a role as a segment presenter on Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway, which she remained on for three years.

In March 2013, the pair were seen flirting outrageously at the TRIC Awards, prompting speculation they would finally go on a date.

Soon afterwards, Ashley coyly admitted they were in contact: "We’re trying to keep it out of the public eye. We’re just getting to know each other. We’re having fun, but I’m single."

It soon transpired that they pair had decided to remain friends and colleagues, with Ashley dismissing claims of a romance: "I know everyone was hoping we were together, but he is just a friend. I love both those boys so much. We have so much fun together."

By August 2013, it was reported Dec had started dating his now-wife Ali Astall after working together for years.

The Pussycat Doll was one of the first to congratulate Dec when he proposed to Ali in November 2014 and she was even invited to the couple’s Newcastle wedding in August 2015.

Ahead of the nuptials, Ashley said: "I’m happy for him and Ali. They’re great. He’s such a good friend of mine. I want him to be happy."

Despite their romance never getting going, Dec referred to their history during a game on Saturday Night Takeaway in 2016.

When Stephen Mulhern asked Dec to name "things that are difficult to get your leg over", he pointed at the singer, saying: "Ashley!"

He then added: "Ashley, we play Leap Frog and that was really hard."

In more recent years, the American star insisted she hadn’t even kissed Dec, let alone had a relationship with him: "I have never snogged Dec. We’re friends."

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