She has left viewers in awe with her impressive moves on Strictly Come Dancing.
And, Shirley Ballas, 60, has revealed that she believes Ranvir Singh, 43, could be ‘dark horse’ of show, as she praised her ‘special chemistry’ with Giovanni Pernice, 30, in what she insists is ‘the toughest series yet.’
The head Strictly judge appeared on Monday’s instalment of Lorraine, where she discussed the high standard of performers this year.
Dark horse? Shirley Ballas, 60, has revealed that she believes Ranvir Singh, 43, could be ‘dark horse’ of show, as she praised her ‘special chemistry’ with Giovanni Pernice, 30
When Lorraine Kelly mentioned GMB’s own Ranvir Singh, Shirley was full of praise, saying: ‘Well let me tell you, Ranvir was all sizzle this weekend.
‘There was a sensuality about the female movement, there was something special in the chemistry between the two of them.
‘It was like they were just in a room all on their own and we were able to look in the windows. She is sensational… She could be the dark horse by the way.’
Speaking about the high standard on the show, Shirley said: ‘It’s the hardest, toughest series…sending anybody home is so difficult. I just urge everybody, please vote, make my job easy…
Expert opinion: The head Strictly judge appeared on Monday’s instalment of Lorraine, where she discussed what she says is ‘the toughest series yet’
‘They have all impressed me but I think Jamie Laing this week just blew my socks off. I wasn’t expecting that.
‘And as for Bill Bailey, he is just something else isn’t he? But they are all good, JJ Chalmers with Amy, they’re just great.’
Shirley also admitted she feels like she has found her feet judging this series of Strictly.
She said: ‘I have had an absolutely amazing time. I think I have really settled into it now. This is my fourth series and I just think I feel really comfortable.’
Special chemistry: Speaking about Ranvir Singh, Shirley said: ‘There was a sensuality about the female movement, there was something special in the chemistry between the two of them’
Hot! During Saturday’s live show, Shirley was blown away by the intense closeness between Ranvir and Giovanni as she branded their dance ‘so hot’
On the positive boost Strictly has had on the country, mid-pandemic, she added: ‘It’s come at the right time, we have been in this lockdown and people have had anxiety and stress.
‘I think our baubles, bangles and beads brighten up everybody’s day when we have Strictly… on my social media it has actually gone off the charts.
‘I have had some beautiful direct messages… I have actually enjoyed the social media journey this time around, believe it or not’
During Saturday’s episode of Strictly, Shirley was yet again blown away by the intense closeness between Ranvir and Giovanni as she branded their dance ‘so hot’.
Ranvir, had previously teased that she and the professional dancer, would be up in ‘each other’s business’ while dancing the Argentine tango to When Doves Cry by Prince.
Chemistry: The TV presenter had previously teased that she and the dancer would be up in ‘each other’s business’ while dancing the Argentine tango to When Doves Cry by Prince
And she did not fail to disappoint, as Shirley could not help but gush about how the Strictly stars ‘almost kissed each other’ during the intimate routine.
After the performance, she excitedly said: ‘Well it made me rather hot under the collar I have to say. You’re very feminine but extremely powerful.
‘And I felt like you were in your own room and we were all watching from the window, as your legs got entwined and your lips puckered.
‘And you almost kissed each other! It was so hot, it was so sensational.’
The sensual dance scored Ranvir an impressive 27 out of 30 – an eight from Craig Revel Horwood, a nine from Shirley, and a staggering ten from Anton Du Beke, who is standing in for Motsi Mabuse as she self-isolates after returning from Germany.
Puckered lips: Shirley could not help but gush about how the Strictly stars ‘almost kissed each other’ during the incredibly intimate routine
Giovanni and Ranvir had previously teased that the sexy tango is all ‘about chemistry’ while speaking in a training video earlier this week.
On BBC’s It Takes Two, he explained: ‘Argentine Tango is about the chemistry between the two dancers.’
While the Good Morning Britain host quickly agreed, saying: ‘It is about the passion. I am loving it.’
They have been hit by speculation about a budding romance since Shirley Ballas commented on their ‘strong chemistry’ after their fun-filled Cha Cha last week.
She told the couple: ‘I love the flirting and teasing, there’s definitely a strong chemistry between this team.’
Impressive! The sensual dance scored Ranvir an impressive 27 out of 30 – an eight from Craig Revel Horwood, a nine from Shirley, and a staggering ten from Anton Du Beke
But Ranvir has denied that there is any romance between her and Giovanni, insisting that they find the idea that they will be hit by the Strictly curse ‘very funny’.
Speaking to The Mirror, Ranvir revealed: ‘We both find the idea that we might get hit by the curse very funny – he is a 30-year-old man!’
Her Strictly rival Jamie Laing also said that he could not see a romance between the duo, as Ranvir has told him that she ‘hates’ Giovanni after a long day of rehearsals.
He continued: ‘He is so competitive and she is so laid back and it makes him furious, it’s hilarious. I just don’t see how the curse can happen.’
Speaking with Piers Morgan and Susanna Reid on Good Morning Britain, Ranvir also addressed how close she has to be to her Italian dance partner during the routines.
Close: Giovanni and Ranvir had previously teased that the sexy tango is all ‘about chemistry’ when speaking in a training video earlier this week
Ahead of Saturday’s flirty performance, she teased: ‘Wait til you see the Argentine tango… we are up in each other’s business all the time.’
But Piers, 55, seemed to support the idea of a potential romance, saying that because are both single it ‘wouldn’t be a Strictly curse, it would be a Strictly blessing if they got together’.
Looking red-faced, Ranvir said: ‘In a few mins I have to see him… [clip showing how close they’ll be on argentine tango] Well, basically you’re like that the whole time.’
Talking about their incredible chemistry, she added: ‘There is dance magic!’
Piers went on to note that the pair sizzle together, but Ranvir was having none of it.
She said: ‘Oh he sizzles on his own, he doesn’t need my in the room. he’s a 30-year-old hot Italian he doesn’t need me.’
No romance: But Ranvir has denied any that there is any romance between her and Giovanni, insisting that they find the idea that they will be hit by the Strictly curse ‘very funny’
The TV presenter is single after splitting from husband Ranjeet Singh Dehal several years ago, who she shares her son Tushaan with.
She has seen considerable success on this year’s series of Strictly, which has pushed her to juggle a hectic schedule and gruelling rehearsal regime that sees her working almost 16 hours a day.
She previously told the Daily Mail: ‘Having lots of work is a blessing, and it would be churlish not to be grateful.
‘I don’t really feel like I’m running on adrenaline, I feel like I’m just really focused. I’ve got to do the dance – I can’t delay it!
‘I thrive on pressure – my whole professional life is working to live deadlines, so it’s quite a familiar feeling.’