Brendan Cole shares tender hug and kiss With partner Lisa Snowdon

His partner apparently likes to sit in on rehearsals between the pair to keep him in check.

But Brendan Cole appears to be forming a strong bond with his new dance partner on Strictly Come Dancing, model and presenter, Lisa Snowdon.

The pair looked like they were celebrating a successful session when they were spotted exchanging hugs and kisses as they left the dance studios.

Getting close: Brendan Cole and Lisa Snowdon exchange a friendly hug and a kiss in a London street

They were seen sharing a cuddle as they carried their designer gym bags after completing a gruelling dance work-out. Couples will hit the dancefloor in front of millions for the first time this weekend as the contest kicks off in earnest on Saturday.

Snowdon, 37, has previously said she is happy for Cole's 26-year-old girlfriend to sit in on their training sessions because she does not want any 'bad vibes'.

Four years ago, long before he met his current girlfriend, there were widespread rumours that he was having an affair with newsreader Natasha Kaplinsky, his first partner on the hit BBC1 show.

Cuddling up: Brendan and Lisa share a tender moment

Contestant Snowdon, who used to date George Clooney, has said before that she understands why 32-year-old Cole is a hit with women. She put down the New Zealander's success with women to 'that Dirty Dancing thing'.

The TV presenter said: 'Women find a man who can dance sexy. They like men who can lead them on the dancefloor. And Brendan is a good dancer.

'He's masculine, dominant and protective of his partners in front of the judges.'

She said when dances with him she feels 'very feminine' and praised his skills as a teacher.

The radio presenter, who recently confessed not having sex for a year, is up against rivals including Rachel Stevens, Gary Rhodes and John Sergeant.

Cole's other half Zoe Hobbs has reportedly been attending training sessions between the pair.

Hands on: Lisa throws an arm around her dance partner

Snowdon recently told the Sunday Mirror: 'Zoe has come to watch us rehearse. And she's going to be sitting in the front row every week during the live shows too. It's worrying when anyone's watching because dancing is so nerve-racking - it's even worse when it's someone else's girlfriend.

'But I was happy for her to see the routines - I don't want there to be any bad vibes.'

Last week it was claimed that Strictly Come Dancing star Jessie Wallace was annoyed that Snowdon was getting the sexiest outfits on the show.

The former EastEnder is said to have lost weight for the series and want to show off her new shape on the show.

Perfect smile: Lisa stands on one leg outsuide the dance studio

Former ITN political editor John Sergeant looks set to be the most colourful contestant in this year's show.

The 64-year-old was spotted practising with his dance partner Kristina Rihanoff in a car park in Lyme Regis last week.

He was in the Dorset town to perform a one man show based on his 40-year career as a political reporter.

But he brought along his dance partner to squeeze in some training. The problem was that they were locked out of the theatre all day.

He has also attended gym sessions in West London religiously every day, arriving at 10am and not leaving until 3pm.

Public affection is not a strictly private affair for Brendan

As one of the biggest stars of BBC1's Strictly Come Dancing, Brendan Cole has become something of an expert at sensually embracing beautiful women.

But the ballroom dancer seemed to take things a little far when he took his latest love Zoe Hobbs for a romantic stroll last week.

As the pair ambled through the streets of Auckland, New Zealand, he decided the time was right to squeeze in a little physical passion.

Making moves: Brendan Cole and Zoe Hobbs stroll through Auckland, New Zealand

Cole, who has enjoyed a string of high-profile affairs since shooting to fame, seemed unfazed by making such a public display of affection, despite the stares it attracted from passers-by.

The 32-year-old dancer has been seeing Ms Hobbs, a British model, for almost three months, but has taken great care to keep their romance secret - until now.

He let his guard slip as the pair strolled arm-in-arm along the city's waterfront, before taking in a romantic meal . . . at KFC. She had a burger, he had chicken pieces and chips.

Cole is in his native New Zealand until next month to make a local version of Strictly Come Dancing following the success of the British original, and persuaded his 26-year-old girlfriend to fly out to join him.

An onlooker said: "They couldn't keep their hands off each other the whole way.

"Brendan's very well known in New Zealand because he's done four series of the British show, which was a huge hit when it was shown here.

The private couple share an intimate moment

But although he got lots of stares from people on the street he only cared about Zoe.

"They were kissing, hugging and holding hands, but when they had to wait for the traffic lights to change at one junction, Brendan started acting like they were in the bedroom."

Cole has been seen out with a number of famous women since splitting up with fiancee and professional dance partner Camilla Dallerup in 2004.

She ended their eight-year relationship when Cole became too close to newsreader Natasha Kaplinsky, who was his partner on the first series of Strictly Come Dancing.

Since then, his dates have reportedly included Martine McCutcheon, Abi Titmuss and Lady Victoria Hervey.

Romantic meal: Brendan and Zoe tuck into a KFC meal

But he seemed keen to keep his relationship with Ms Hobbs under wraps for fear of jinxing the blossoming romance.

He has, until now, managed to avoid the gaze of celebrity-watchers, despite attending a Valentine's event - the glamorous Silicone Ball charity fundraiser at London's Porchester Hall - together last month.

Last night, organiser Kaja Wunder said: "They looked like they were boyfriend and girlfriend.

"They definitely didn't meet at the ball; they came together. Brendan comes to all of our parties."

She added that Cole and Ms Hobbs, who wore a flowing cream and gold dress, made a great couple. "She was lovely," she said. "Very beautiful."

Their relationship has apparently been growing stronger ever since, with a source saying: "He couldn't face being apart from her for the two whole months he's in New Zealand.

"He'd only been seeing her a few weeks when he persuaded her to come out to join him.

"He's fallen really hard for her and he's been desperate to keep what's happening under wraps.

"He's very, very protective of her and has sworn everyone around him to secrecy."

While in New Zealand, Cole has been proudly introducing the 5ft 9in blue-eyed blonde to his family.

The couple stayed with his mother Karen while in Christchurch, and they also visited his father, Eddie, who is separated from Karen.

Ms Hobbs also met Cole's colleagues on Dancing With The Stars - the title of the New Zealand version of the show - at a cast party last week.

Cole's agent Geraldine Woods would not comment on the relationship but Premier Models, which represents Ms Hobbs in the UK, confirmed she would be in New Zealand until mid-April.

"She's just on holiday," a spokesperson said.

Ms Hobbs models mainly in Germany and Miami, and is also an interior designer.

Ex-squeezes: Camilla Dallerup and Natasha Kaplinsky

The professional dancer... Camilla Dallerup

Danish-born Camilla was Cole's dance partner - and real-life love - for eight years from 1996. They became engaged just a month before Cole met Natasha Kaplinsky on series one of Strictly Come Dancing.

The TV newsreader... Natasha Kaplinsky

Ms Kaplinsky - dubbed Spangles after appearing on the show - had an on-screen chemistry with Cole. Rumours they were having an affair were fuelled when Ms Kaplinsky broke up with her partner of ten years, Mike Barnard.

Other lovers: Martine McCutcheon and Adele Silva

The first soap star...Martine McCutcheon

Former EastEnder and Love Actually star Martine was reportedly wined and dined by Cole for a short while in 2005. The pair hit it off after meeting at a showbiz party, but the relationship quickly fizzled out.

The second soap star...Adele Silva

Emmerdale actress Adele Silva, who plays man-eater Kelly Windsor, admitted to a fling with Cole after she was seen emerging from his home in February last year. Ms Silva had just split from Antony Costa, formerly of boy band Blue, and said that the brief romance was just a bit of fun.

Former flames: Shelly Ross, Abi Titmuss and Lady Victoria Hervey

The pole dancer... Shelly Ross

Ex-ballerina and former pole dancer Shelley Ross split up with David Ross, the Carphone Warehouse tycoon, in 2006. Cole gave Ms Ross dancing lessons and insisted the pair were just friends, later describing her as "the one that got away".

The Page 3 model... Abi Titmuss

After Cole danced with glamour model Abi Titmuss at a showbiz party in October 2006, she invited him back to her place for a coffee. But Titmuss told journalists that Cole thought he was there for more than a nightcap - so she sent him packing.

The aristocrat... Lady Victoria Hervey

Cole was spotted out with the wealthy socialite at exclusive parties at the upmarket Mayfair and Dorchester hotels in 2006. Lady Victoria told reporters that Cole was her date, but he insisted they were simply friends.

Brendan enjoyed a flirtatious relationship with Dancing on Ice partner Kelly Brook