It could be a case of familiarity breeds content.

But there was definitely an air of recognition when Strictly Come Dancing contestant Rachel Stevens stepped out with her new dance partner  Vincent Simone.

Professional dancer Vincent Simone may be some inches shorter, but with his Mediterranean looks and facial hair, the Italian dance champion bears something of a resemblance to the former S Club singer's actor partner Alex Bourne.

Looks familiar: Rachel Stevens stepped out in London today with her Strictly dance partner Vincent Simone who looks uncannily like her fiancé Alex Bourne

Rachel seen out with actor partner Alex Bourne at a film premiere in London

Rachel was seen on her way to lunch in north London with Vincent after spending the morning in rehearsals with the 29-year-old dancer.

Vincent has bounced back after he suffered a painful, and very public split from co-star Flavia Cacace, 28, last December after the end of their ten-year relationship.

Flavia became romanctically involved with her Strictly partner Matt DiAngelo.

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Lunch date: Rachel and Vincent headed out for a well-earned lunch following the mornings exertions

Hopefully, Rachel and Alex will have no such worries, as she has just got engaged to the former Family Affairs actor.

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Dazzling: Rachel is tipped as one of the top contenders for the show

Rachel is doing brilliantly in rehearsals with Vincent and it seems that the pair are already getting friendly, as Rachel has nicknamed Vincent the 'Italian Stallion'.

She has been tipped as one of the contenders for the Strictly crown.

A show source said: 'Rachel and Vincent are getting on really well.

'Vincent has well and truly bounced back from his split from Flavia, Rachel has obviously left him hot under the collar as he looks like the cat that’s got the cream — he keeps winking in front of the camera!'

The former S Club singer said she has turned down numerous offers to appear on reality shows in the past, but she always decided to turn them down.

Instead she has opted for the gruelling Strictly as it offered her the chance to learning a skill.

She told The Daily Star: 'I'd much rather be shaping up my bum than sitting on it all the time in the jungle or in a house.'

The new series kicks off later this month, and Rachel's rivals include former model Lisa Snowdon, One Show host Christine Bleakley, former EastEnders actress Jessie Wallace.