December 14th 2024.
As the 2024 season of Strictly Come Dancing comes to a close tonight with an exciting final, fans are sure to be thrilled. This special 20th anniversary edition of the BBC's popular dance competition features four remaining celebrities: Love Islander Tasha Ghouri, comedian Chris McCausland, actress Sarah Hadland, and JLS singer JB Gill. While the dazzling dance routines are the main attraction, viewers have also been captivated by the behind-the-scenes happenings.
Throughout the 22 series that Strictly has aired, there has been much talk about potential romances between the celebrity contestants and their professional dance partners. This phenomenon, known as the "Strictly curse," has sparked endless speculation and rumors. While some of these rumors have been proven false, there have also been cases where couples who met on the show have stayed together long after the season ended.
As this year's contestants lace up their dancing shoes, it's worth taking a look back at the couples who have been affected by the "Strictly curse." But first, let's clarify what exactly this curse entails. It's not just about contestants falling in love with each other while competing on the show. Rather, it refers to individuals who are already in relationships and end up finding romance with their fellow participants. It's a common occurrence in such an intense and intoxicating environment like Strictly.
Co-presenter Claudia Winkleman has shared her thoughts on the curse, stating that while she doesn't necessarily believe in it, she can understand how the intense experience of being on Strictly could lead to romantic feelings. And indeed, there have been numerous cases of couples getting together during filming. One of the most talked-about incidents in recent years was when comedian Seann Walsh was photographed kissing his professional partner Katya Jones. At the time, Katya was married to fellow dancer Neil Jones, while Seann was in a relationship with actor Rebecca Humphries. The pictures caused a stir, and both couples eventually split.
But Seann and Katya are not the only ones who have fallen victim to the "Strictly curse." Throughout the years, there have been several other couples who have split up during or shortly after their time on the show, with many of them being romantically linked to their dance partner. These include Stacey Dooley and Kevin Clifton, Joe Sugg and Dianne Buswell, Natasha Kaplinsky and Brendan Cole, Kristina Rihanoff and Ben Cohen, Joe Calzaghe and Kristina Rihanoff, and Matt Di Angelo and Flavia Cacace.
While some of these couples have denied any romantic involvement during their time on the show, others have gone on to form long-lasting relationships. Ultimately, it's up to the individuals involved to navigate the intense and exhilarating world of Strictly and keep their personal relationships intact. As for this year's contestants, we can't wait to see who will take home the coveted glitterball trophy and whether the "Strictly curse" will strike again.
The highly talked about Strictly curse has been a hot topic of discussion since the show first premiered. As the 2024 season of Strictly Come Dancing comes to an end tonight with an exciting finale, fans are undoubtedly thrilled. This special 20th anniversary season of the BBC's competitive dance show features four remaining celebrities: Love Islander Tasha Ghouri, comedian Chris McCausland, actress Sarah Hadland, and JLS singer JB Gill.
While the dazzling dance routines are undoubtedly the main attraction, viewers have always been curious about what goes on behind the scenes. Throughout the 22 seasons that Strictly has been on air, there has been much speculation about potential romantic relationships between celebrity contestants and their professional dance partners – a phenomenon known as the "Strictly curse."
While some of these rumors have turned out to be just that – rumors, others have had some truth to them. For instance, Towie star Pete Wicks has made it clear that he and his dance partner Jowita Przystal are just friends, despite the speculation. He is now spending time with Maura Higgins. On the other hand, there have also been instances where couples who met on Strictly have stayed together to this day.
As this year's contestants lace up their dancing shoes, it's natural to wonder who has been affected by the curse in the past. But what exactly is the Strictly curse?
Contrary to popular belief, the Strictly curse is not just about couples falling in love while competing on the show. It refers to individuals who are already in relationships and end up finding romance with fellow participants. Claudia Winkleman, co-presenter of Strictly Come Dancing, once shared her thoughts on the curse, stating that while she doesn't believe in it, she understands how the intense experience of being on the show can lead to people developing feelings for each other.
Despite her views, there have been cases where romance has sparked between contestants during filming. One of the most notable incidents of the Strictly curse occurred in 2018 when comedian Seann Walsh was caught kissing his professional partner Katya Jones. At the time, Katya was married to fellow dancer Neil Jones, while Seann was in a relationship with actor Rebecca Humphries. After the photos surfaced, Katya released a statement apologizing for her actions, stating that it was a one-time mistake and that she loves her husband.
Unfortunately, this was not the only instance of the Strictly curse affecting couples on the show. Here is a list of all the celebrities and professional dancers who experienced relationship breakdowns during or shortly after their appearance on Strictly, and were romantically linked to their partner on the series.
- Seann Walsh and Katya Jones: After the scandal, Katya's marriage to Neil Jones ended the following year.
- Stacey Dooley and Kevin Clifton: Stacey ended her relationship with personal trainer Sam Tucknott during the series, and she and Kevin now have a daughter together.
- Joe Sugg and Dianne Buswell: Dianne split from her boyfriend, Emmerdale actor Anthony Quinlan, while competing on the show with Joe. They now live together and document their life on social media.
- Natasha Kaplinsky and Brendan Cole: Brendan split from fellow Strictly pro Camilla Dallerup during the first season, which he eventually won with journalist Natasha Kaplinsky.
- Kristina Rihanoff and Ben Cohen: Ben split from his wife of 11 years after his appearance on Strictly, but he denies that it was because of his relationship with Kristina. They are now engaged and have a daughter together.
- Joe Calzaghe and Kristina Rihanoff: Before starting a relationship with Ben, Kristina was with Joe for four years. He ended his five-year relationship with Jo-Emma Larvin shortly after starting on Strictly.
- Matt Di Angelo and Flavia Cacace: Flavia and actor Matt Di Angelo became a couple after her relationship with dancer Vincent Simone ended.
In the end, whether the Strictly curse is real or just a coincidence is up for debate. But one thing is for sure – the show continues to captivate viewers with its dazzling performances and intriguing behind-the-scenes drama. So, let's sit back, relax, and enjoy the magic of Strictly Come Dancing. And if you're interested in more juicy stories like this, be sure to sign up for The Hook-Up, Metro's sex and dating newsletter that delivers all the latest news straight to your inbox every week. We can't wait to have you join us!
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