Louis Smith is reportedly dating his ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ tour partner.
The 27-year-old Olympic gymnast has struck up a secret relationship with Florence Edge, who has a striking resemblance to his ex-girlfriend Lucy Mecklenburgh, after they hit it off while taking part in the stage show ‘Keep Dancing’ earlier this year.
A source told The Sun newspaper: "Louis and Flo are really into each other after growing close on tour. They’ve been enjoying each other’s company dining out and going on romantic dog walks together. He’s still taking things slowly though – they’re not official yet but things are really heating up between them."
Louis’ new romance comes just 14 weeks after he took himself off his dating ban, which he placed himself on in the run up to the Olympic Games in Rio, Brazil.
Speaking exclusively to BANG Showbiz, he said before the sporting event in August: "A distraction is a distraction whether it’s good or bad. It’s still a distraction. So I don’t want to fall in love. Women are not going to improve my performance.
"Like don’t get me wrong, I’ve still been speaking to girls but I’ve just made it very clear that I have no qualms in just talking as friends, but I’m not going to take you out or anything until after the Olympic Games. Because that’s my priority and I don’t want my brain side tracked. I don’t want to be in my Olympic warm up and then seeing a text from you and having it distract me. It’s like putting a certain aspect of your life on pause. In terms of meeting and dating women, that part is on pause."
And the handsome star – who won the silver medal in the pommel horse finals at the Olympics this year – couldn’t wait to get his life back on track after the Games.
He said: "When the Olympic games finish. Alcohol, junk food, going to restaurants and eating out, that is on pause. After the Olympics, I just literally have to press resume and pick up on that part of my life when it happens. It’s all about moderation and sacrifice."
Louis Smith is dating Strictly Come Dancing partner
