Rookie's Whittle bit on the side

SO that's what Strictly hunk Ricky Whittle has been getting up to . . .

No, not studying girlfriend Carley Stenson's winning lines - although we can see they're showstopping.

It's his secret dance training which has got people in a spin.

Because Hollyoaks star Ricky, 27, shimmied off for private salsa classes last year - long before training for Strictly officially started.

Last night a BBC source said: "The competitiors are supposed to be novices but Ricky is already pretty accomplished on the dance floor."

We can reveal that the soap star - who wowed judges with his stunning waltz on Friday's show to top the leaderboard - had £30 private salsa sessions with the twin brother of Strictly pro Darren Bennett last year.

He went to the family's studios in Sheffield, Bennetts' City-Limits Dancentre, with girlfriend and co-star Carley, 27, where Dale put them through their paces.

A pal said: "Ricky and Carley had a great time. Dale is an incredible teacher."

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The BBC source added: "Ricky sought the expertise of Darren's family to help him brush up on his skills.

"Dale is as good as they get. He teaches some of the top dancers in the country and he showed Ricky and his girlfriend how to salsa, which is obviously a key skill for the competitors. No one would blame the other contestants if they thought this seemed a little unfair."

It's the second time that Ricky, whose pro partner is Natalie Lowe, has been accused of having an unfair advantage. It has already emerged that he practised with show dance guru Richard Marcel for a Comic Relief fundraiser earlier this year.

A BBC spokesman confirmed Ricky had "three or four" training sessions with Dale.

"We are aware of it. There are no rules about people not having any previous dance experience."

Hollyoaks babe Carley also showed she's got some Strictly hot moves by posing in skimpy undies for this week's Zoo magazine.

See more pictures and an interview in the mag, out on Tuesday.

WILL Whittle win?

Picture: Zoo magazine

• Whittle bit naughty
• Ricky Whittle & Natalie Lowe
• Strictly £50,000 per star

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