Seann Walsh and Katya Jones would have been aware KISS would get CAUGHT, says Arlene Phillips

Arlene Phillips has hinted that she is not convinced Seann Walsh and Katya Jones were unaware their passionate kiss would be caught on camera.

The Strictly Come Dancing couple were forced to publicly apologise after pictures surfaced of them hugging on a boozy night out behind their partners’ backs.

Walsh was subsequently dumped via Twitter by his long-term girlfriend, actress Rebecca Humphries.

Former judge Phillips said they would have been aware of the media attention around them during their time on the BBC ballroom show.

Asked on Good Morning Britain if she thought they “did it deliberately” she replied: “I don’t quite think they did it deliberately. They must be aware, when you see every dancer turning up with no make-up with a coffee in their hand in every newspaper – I don’t think anyone could think they could get away with that kind of kiss.”

Phillips shut down Piers Morgan’s claim that the show is a “hotbed of lust” as well as calls for the duo to be axed from the show, saying neither the viewing public nor the judges are “moral guardians”.

Morgan joked that he wants to see the couple perform the Rumba next – a more sexual dance than the Charleston, which earned them 28 points on Saturday.

“Give them the most sizzling dance,” he said. “We’ll Rumba this up then have a cut up of [Katya’s husband Neil Jones] as it takes place. All dancers are randy rabbits.”

Walsh and Katya escaped the dance-off on Sunday night, despite being the favourites to be booted off of the competition in the wake of the scandal.

But the viewing public saved them from the chop, with some 11.9 million tuning in to watch them perform.

Judge Craig Revel Horwood is said to be “furious” that they were saved over Katie Piper and Gorka Marquez.

A source told The Sun: “Craig was vocal in the last week about his thoughts on Katya and Seann and there was no change after the show.

“He made it quite clear he felt they should have gone and that, if it hadn’t been for poorer performances, they would.

“Craig told guests how dismayed he was that the ‘Terrible Two’, as he calls them, were given another chance.”