The fiancé of singer Rachel Stevens has denied that he was banned from rehearsals for BBC1's Strictly Come Dancing because he was jealous of her dance partner, Vincent Simone.

Alex Bourne, 31, an actor and model, who plays for JC MSFL football team Southgate Harmen A, said: "It was all complete rubbish. I get on extremely well with Vincent. He's a lovely guy."

Referring to Rachel and Vincent's steamy version of the rumba last week, which stunned judges and gained the highest score so far of the competition - 39 points out of a possible 40 - he said: "It's all part of what they are doing. It's the dance of love, so if they didn't do that it wouldn't have been as good as it was.
"I don't really get jealous because she's coming home to me. We have an amazing relationship and I am very secure in it."

The couple intend to marry next year and Alex said he is considering having dancing lessons with Vincent to get him up to speed.

"I don't want to be left behind and I think it would be nice to go out and dance once in a while," he said.
The couple met aged 12 at Jewish youth club, Oxford and St George's in Whetstone, North London, but it wasn't until two years ago, when they were both in Los Angeles, that they began dating.

The former S Club 7 star is considered one of the favourites to win.

Alex added: "I hope the whole Jewish community will get behind her and vote for her.

"I truly think that she can win the contest but we need all the votes we can get."