Strictly star Jason Bell has two very special ladies cheering him on in the competition – his adorable little daughter, Anaíya, and his ex-partner, Girls Aloud legend Nadine Cole.
Former American footballer Jason and his professional partner, Luba Mushtuk, won praise from the judges for their opening performance last week.
The couple were awarded 18 points for their American Smooth, with Shirley saying Jason gave “100 per cent” and praising his footwork.
Before he took to the dance floor, Jason said: “Strictly is the epitome of British television and this year, more than ever, I’m so proud and humbled to be participating. Strictly was the first show I ever watched when I moved to the UK and I’m a massive fan.
“My six-year-old daughter never got the chance to see me run out on the field at an NFL game but she is very excited about me taking to the dance floor. I hope I can do her proud.”
(Image: BBC)
But it was after the cameras stopped rolling that the real action happened.
Jason left the BBC Strictly studios with Nadine and Anaíya and as they were driving away eagle-eyed fans spotted the couple, who split after 11 years together, were holding hands.
Nadine was snapped holding Jason’s hand as the pair left the studio in Borehamwood and the couple looked cosy as they sat in the back of their chauffeur-driven car as they headed home from Elstree studios.
The 35-year-old singer looked straight at the cameras and she made no attempt to hide their show of affection.
(Image: Getty Images)
And Jason himself has fuelled the rumours that the former couple could be getting back together.
Responding to fans wanting them back together, he told heat magazine: “A lot of people want a lot of things, so you never know!
“I love who she is as a person – always have and always will. The thing about Nadine is that if you watch her, and see how she cares about her daughter and the people she loves, it’s infectious.”
Nadine had previously described Jason as her “husband”. She added: “I love to cook and hang out with my husband Jason and our daughter Anaiya. We’re a very close family.”
But after selling her Los Angeles Irish bar, Nadine’s Irish Mist, and moving back to Northern Ireland because she was homesick, things had changed between the couple.
(Image: WENN)
Jason had stayed in the US to concentrate on his budding career as a pundit and broadcaster.
A source close to the former couple told The Sun: “Although Nadine and Jason were never married, they lived as a close family unit and remain good friends as they co-parent their young daughter.
“They still care for one another, but are no longer in a romantic relationship.”
Nadine herself admitted earlier this year that the reason for their split is because after 11 years together their relationship had changed.
She said: “I think it came naturally, to be honest. It can come to a situation where you’re almost (just) really, really good friends, so that can change the dynamic of a relationship.
“Jason and I are very, very close in that way. We’re more friends than in a romantic sense. He was in our house for Christmas. We still take Anaiya out, we have dinners. She’s always the main priority.”
- Jason is back on the Strictly dance floor along with the other stars of the show at 7:10pm tonight.
Originally from https://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/strictlys-jason-bell-admits-loves-22931349