Strictly Come Dancing's Carlos Gu has broken silence on his fall out with his co-star Nancy Xu.
The professional dancers, who both grew up in China, have been close since childhood but are currently refusing to speak and have unfollowed each other on social media.
It was claimed that tensions sparked between the formerly close pals when Carlos was left disappointed after not to be paired with a celebrity this series.
Speaking to The Daily Mail's Richard Eden on Friday, for the first time since their row, Carlos insisted the pair 'are fine.'
He said: 'We're fine. We've been friends since childhood, and friends argue, we're too close and are like brother and sister to completely fall out.'
An insider told The Sun last week: 'The feud between Nancy and Carlos is really sad and has left everyone really shocked.
'They've been close since childhood, but have fallen out and unfollowed each other on socials.'
'The atmosphere on set is said to be awkward and tense when both are around, and to many it was a relief when Carlos didn't attend the show weeks ago'.
Meanwhile a separate source told MailOnline: 'Both Carols and Nancy are extremely cordial and always incredibly professional on Strictly premises'.
MailOnline have the dancers representative and the BBC for comment.
During previous seasons, Carlos has been paired with TV presenter Angela Scanlon and EastEnders stay Molly Rainford.
Shayne Ward and his professional partner Nancy Xu performed a Rumba to Time After Time by Cyndi Lauper on Saturday.
According to bookies odds, it could be the last time they take to the dancefloor together as they're predicted to be the next pair to be given the boot.
Odds suggest Shayne and Nancy are unlikely to make it to through to next week's Blackpool special after their odds were slashed to 10/11 to be voted out of the competition.
The That's My Goal hitmaker is now favourite to leave the show, closely followed by opera singer Wynne Evans, who has odds of 9/4.
Nicola McGeady of Ladbrokes said: 'As far as the odds and punters are concerned, it looks like Shayne Ward’s Strictly journey will come to an end this weekend.'
Lee Phelps, a spokesperson for William Hill, explained: 'The nine-strong Strictly field will be cut down to eight following this weekend’s show, and Shayne Ward looks in danger of performing his last dance in the competition.
'The English singer is our odds-on favourite at 10/11 to be the next contestant eliminated from the show following a second appearance in the dance-off last weekend.
'Should Ward dance himself out of hot water, Wynne Evans is next in the firing line at 9/4, with both JB Gill (6/1) and Pete Wicks (8/1) looking safe enough chances to secure their place in next weekend’s show.'
