Lewis, Naomi and a very speedy Exit

And they did their best to steer photographers off course during a night out.

The pair started off the evening greeting each other with a kiss at a Prince’s Trust gala. But, in an unusual attack of shyness, they later covered their faces before speeding off.

They were then spotted trying to hide several more times, even jumping into another vehicle at one point as they attempted to throw chasing photographers off the scent.

But fellow diners were adamant that 37-year-old Naomi had earlier been far less bashful, apparently more than happy to make several pit stops at the boy racer’s table at London’s Roundhouse.

But when it was time to leave they ducked for cover before a chauffeur sped them away for what turned into a whacky race.

With photographers trailing along behind, Lewis, 22, and Naomi were first tailed to the China Tang restaurant at the Dorchester Hotel.

But instead of sitting down to dinner, the pair hid in the hotel doorway before heading off through a side door towards Kensington.

There, they halted again but only to jump into a different car for the next leg of their circuit round town.

Next stop was for cigarettes, before the driver whizzed Naomi to her home where the pair said their touching goodbyes.

A spokeswoman for Naomi has insisted the pair are “just friends”. But last month she flew to Brazil to cheer on Lewis as the world title slipped from his grasp.

And in September the pair posed happily together at a celebrity event at London’s Royal Opera House.

They are certainly well-matched. Both made the top 10 in a list of the most influential black people last summer. Lewis and his father shared eighth place on the men’s list after landing him a £50million contract while Naomi came fourth on the women’s list. She is estimated to be worth £35million.