James Argent developed a new celebrity crush during filming for his latest TV gig.
The Essex native has even admitted he can see how romances blossom on Strictly Come Dancing, after learning some new moves for an upcoming E4 show..
The former TOWIE star is set to appear in The Real Dirty Dancing, featuring 10 celebs competing in challenges based on the iconic 1987 Patrick Swayze film.
James, 34, stars alongside fellow celebrities such as Blue singer Lee Ryan, celebrity quizzer Bobby Seagull, 38, and comic Darren Harriott, 33, but it was TV legend Anthea Turner who caught the reality TV star's eye.
Despite their 27-year-age gap, the newly-slimmed down Arg was spotted crushing on the 61-year-old former Blue Peter presenter.
"He had a big crush on Anthea," the pair's co-star Chelsee Healey, 33, confessed to Closer magazine.
"I'm sure she had a soft spot for him though, definitely."
Quizzed about whether he can see how the Strictly 'curse' can happened, James admitted he could easily see how "things escalate".
"Oh, for sure," the reality TV veteran replied to new! magazine.
"Especially if you fancy your partner and you're bumping and grinding and all that. You can definitely see how things escalate."
He continued: "It depends what kind of dance you're doing as well, I suppose. I kept it professional, though. I didn't get too excited."
Arg is partnered with Verona Rose on the new E4 show, but the actress and writer "felt bad" about being teamed up with the Essex star due to his obvious desire to be with Anthea.
Anthea - who is currently planning her wedding to Mark Armstrong - was a big hit with all the men on The Real Dirty Dancing, not just Arg.
Speaking about her bond with the former TOWIE star earlier this month, the TV presenter praised her co-star for what is his first prime-time show since losing 13 stone after a gastric band operation last year.
"Arg and I did form a particularly good partnership," the former Top of the Pops host told the Mirror.
"He’s absolutely lovable, we giggled a lot."
She continued: "A few months ago he couldn’t tie his own shoelaces and now he’s much fitter and healthier.
"He talked very openly about his gastric band and how he has had to take control of his life from that point of view."
"I’m very proud of him, proud to know him and to know how he managed to do that," Anthea gushed when chatting about her new pal.
The show, hosted by Pussycat Doll Ashley Roberts and comic Keith Lemon, starts on Monday next week.
Keith - real name Leigh Francis - has admitted most of the men on the show had a thing for Anthea during the filming of The Real Dirty Dancing.
"Everyone fancied Anthea," the comedian revealed when speaking to Closer magazine.
"She's a TV legend, but she still looks like she did when she was hosting Top of the Pops. She doesn't age."
*The Real Dirty Dancing starts on February 21 at 9pm on E4 and All4.
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