[Red Moon]

Gethin and Katherine head over heels in love ... and head to head on TV

Strolling and sharing a smile, this is Blue Peter presenter Gethin Jones and Welsh opera star Katherine Jenkins looking the picture of happiness.

The two have unwittingly been pitched against one another in the most hotly-contested TV ratings war of the year.

Jones will be battling it out for a place in the final of BBC1's Strictly Come Dancing, while Miss Jenkins performs a duet with X Factor favourite and fellow countryman Rhydian Roberts on ITV1.

Yet off screen, relations between the two ratings rivals have never been warmer.

Miss Jenkins admitted this week that she might be closer than just friends with the Welsh former semi-professional rugby player.

And after being seen on their romantic stroll, there seems little doubt they are an item.

With 27-year-old Miss Jenkins touring with ballet dancer Darcey Bussell in their Viva La Diva show and 29-year-old Jones training with dance partner Camilla Dallerup, they have not been able to see each other during the week.

But they were together at Jones's flat in West London last Sunday morning. They drove to Richmond Park in the opera star's car and parked at Pembroke Lodge, a location used for weddings.

Then followed a walk of several miles before they reached Richmond Hill - where they stopped to take in the view and enjoy a cuddle.

Jones made Miss Jenkins - who lives in North London - laugh by taking her in his arms and pratising his dance moves. "Lots of passers-by recognised them," said an onlooker.

"It was interesting how open they were in their affection for one another.

"I don't think there was one moment when they were not either holding hands, or walking arm-in-arm with her head on his shoulder, or cuddling."

Jones developed a keen interest in the opera singer when she was a guest on Blue Peter two years ago. They have been dating since she was a guest star on Strictly Come Dancing back in October.

Meanwhile, Rhydian Roberts is hotly tipped to win the X Factor grand final tonight - securing himself a £1million record deal.

The 24-year-old Welshman's distinctive operatic voice and unfailing nerve have made the talent competition the biggest one-horse race since it started four years ago.

More money - £1million - has been gambled on Roberts than on any other contestant. He is pitted against 18-year-old Leon Jackson and brother-and-sister duo Same Difference.

Bookmaker Ladbrokes has given the singer odds of 1-3. Spokesman Nick Weinberg said: "Rhydian has been red-hot favourite pretty much from the start."

However, the programme's real winner will once more be Simon Cowell. The 48-year-old music mogul, who co-produces and owns the rights to the X Factor, stands to earn £7.5million.

Source and Pictures: Daily Mail