Strictly Come Dancing star Jowita Przystał has paid tribute to ‘beautiful, passionate and hardworking’ Pete Wicks in her latest Instagram post as she continues to be be romantically linked with the TV personality.

The pair are yet to publicly confirm a relationship despite swirling rumours that began more than a year ago, when their successful partnership led to a fifth place finish on the BBC show.

Przystał’s latest appearance on Strictly has been less fruitful, with the Polish ballroom professional and latest celebrity partner Ross King labouring to fourteenth place before their elimination on Sunday evening.

The dancer, 31, has since paid tribute to Wicks after supporting him onstage at London’s O2 Arena in September.

Przystał made a surprise appearance at the landmark venue while Wicks, 36, was hosting a live version of his Staying Relevant podcast with close friend Sam Thompson – during which they fuelled romance rumours by sharing a kiss.

And she was full of praise for Wicks on Monday evening as he returned with his UKTV docuseries, For Dog’s Sake.

Strictly Come Dancing star Jowita Przystał has paid tribute to 'beautiful, passionate and hardworking' Pete Wicks in her latest Instagram post
+7
View gallery

Strictly Come Dancing star Jowita Przystał has paid tribute to ‘beautiful, passionate and hardworking’ Pete Wicks in her latest Instagram post

The Polish dancer was full of praise for Wicks on Monday evening as he returned with his UKTV docuseries, For Dog's Sake
+7
View gallery

The Polish dancer was full of praise for Wicks on Monday evening as he returned with his UKTV docuseries, For Dog’s Sake

Sharing a still of self-confessed dog lover Wicks on the show, an emotional Przystał wrote: ‘No words can describe how proud I am of you @p_wicks01. You’re one of the most passionate and hardworking people I’ve ever met.

‘Your love for dogs is unconditional and it shines through in every moment of that episode. I hope you know what difference you’re making, how life changing this show is for all those pups.

‘Together with @dogstrust you’re giving them a new future, and the whole nation is behind you.’

She added: ‘Every time I see you with them, my heart melts. The care, patience and compassion you show are truly beautiful. You never give up on them, you fight for them with everything you have.

‘I know this whole season will be a huge success, because it’s made with love. And when you do something with love, it’s always powerful, beautiful and unique. Because it’s real. And that’s what this show is… it’s real.’

Sources have previously insisted the dancer is ‘officially dating’ Wicks, having grown close to him on Strictly – while he was rumoured to be in the early stages of a romance with former Love Island star Maura Higgins.

An insider told the Daily Mail: ‘Pete and Jowita are now an item, they’ve been dating for a few weeks.

‘They kept things professional on Strictly, there was no crossover with Maura. But once Pete was single they grew close again and recently the relationship has blossomed into something more.’

Przystał admitted she was 'proud' of former Strictly partner Wicks and his love of dogs
+7
View gallery

Przystał admitted she was ‘proud’ of former Strictly partner Wicks and his love of dogs

The pair are yet to publicly confirm a relationship despite swirling rumours that began more than a year ago, when their successful partnership led to a fifth place finish on the BBC show
+7
View gallery

The pair are yet to publicly confirm a relationship despite swirling rumours that began more than a year ago, when their successful partnership led to a fifth place finish on the BBC show

Referring to their onstage appearance at the O2, the source added: ‘You could tell something is going on between them during their routine – it was extremely raunchy and dance partners don’t usually kiss quite like that.’

In August, Wicks shared his own tribute to Przystał in honour of her birthday, leading some to question whether the post was him ‘hard launching’ their romance.

He shared a photo of himself and the ballroom professional in a dance studio on his Instagram Stories ahead of her return to Strictly.

Alongside the post, he wrote ‘It was never about dancing… it was about the person.

‘Happy birthday @jowitaprzystal – I am so blessed and grateful to have you in my life. My pocket rocket.’

The Polish ballroom professional and latest celebrity partner Ross King laboured to fourteenth place before their elimination from Strictly on Sunday evening
+7
View gallery

The Polish ballroom professional and latest celebrity partner Ross King laboured to fourteenth place before their elimination from Strictly on Sunday evening

The former TOWIE star surprised fans by sharing three passionate kisses with Przystał at London's O2 Arena in September (pictured)
+7
View gallery

The former TOWIE star surprised fans by sharing three passionate kisses with Przystał at London’s O2 Arena in September (pictured)