Confession time: Kara Tointon admitted to Graham Norton that she found Artem Chigvintsev 'gorgeous'
Actress Kara Tointon had sworn off dating when first met Strictly partner Artem Chigvintsev.
After a painful split from Joe Swash in May, the former EastEnders star was intent to stay single for at least two years.
But the Russian dancer was a 'real gentleman' and turned her head.
Speaking on the Christmas Eve edition of The Graham Norton Show, the 27-year-old said: 'I had decided before the show not to date for the next two years. I was having a moment out. I was off men.'
And while she declined to be drawn on how the pair's relationship developed during the show, she did admit her attraction to Artem - raising speculation that they were more than just friends.
'We get on so well and we laugh so much,' the actress said. 'He’s just a gorgeous person. He is gorgeous inside and out.
'Now it (Strictly) is all over its nice to get out of the studio and do some normal things.'
Laugh-a-minute: Kara Tointon was amused by fellow guests David Walliams and Matt Lucas, as was Doctor Who star Matt Smith
Tointon is set to keep viewers guessing when she appears on the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special on Christmas Day - and grabs Artem under the mistletoe for a kiss.
The couple, who will take part in a group routine with fellow finalists Pamela Stephenson and Matt Baker and semi-finalist Scott Maslen, will be seen sharing a steamy clinch on screen - just one week after they celebrated their Strictly Come Dancing win with a kiss on live television.
Other guests on Friday's show include Matt Smith, who talked about taking on the role of Doctor Who, describing it as a 'privilege'.
Starry line-up: Doctor Who star Matt Smith said on the show that playing the Time Lord was 'wonderful'
'It’s been transformative. It’s wonderful,' he said. 'I inherited a mantle but I enjoy it and who could tire of being a 900 year old time lord?'
He did admit however that spending so much time filming in Cardiff had its pitfalls - notably the fact that he gets to spend less time with his girlfriend Daisy Lowe. 'She says it’s not like having a boyfriend because I’m never there,' Smith said.
Matt Lucas and David Walliams also appeared to discuss their new comedy show Come Fly With Me, which will also be screened on Christmas Day.
The show, set in an airport, sees the Little Britain twosome playing a range of new characters.
The interesting thing is that the new characters can meet each other and they know they are on TV. It’s exciting to write and perform,' Walliams said.
Lucas, meanwhile, said of the new show, 'There are not as many catchphrases and it's not so rude.'
To see the full interview with Kara Tointon tune in to The Graham Norton Show on BBC1 at 10.35pm on Christmas Eve
Festive feast: All of the guests on The Graham Norton Show on Friday will appear on Christmas Day shows
Source:Dailymail