Strictly star had ‘secret affair’ with pro dancer months before announcing split

Strictly Come Dancing has suffered another blow after the BBC reality show’s ‘curse’ strikes again.

Strictly Come Dancing Logo 2024 Credit: BBC 

A star from a recent series of  Strictly Come Dancing reportedly had an affair with a professional dancer before announcing their separation from their partner, according to sources. As the 21st series of the BBC dance competition unfolds onscreen, it appears as though there are just as many fireworks happening backstage.

It appears the Strictly curse has struck again after yet another illicit relationship between one of the celebrity-pro dancer pairings sparked romance in the rehearsal room. The report only adds further drama to the crisis-hit producers, who are currently searching for the next hosting duo to take over from veteran presenters Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman. The pair will leave the BBC reality show after 21 years at the helm, with their final show airing on Christmas Day for the festive special.

Now, an insider has told MailOnline about one couple who reportedly had a “fling” with one of the dancers despite being in a long-term relationship. They told the outlet: “One of the celebrities had a fling with one of the dancers while they were still with a partner at home – and everyone has just found out.

“It’s unclear if their partner ever found out, but the relationship later ended, so it’s not inconceivable that they did.” It is understood that the people involved managed to keep their romance under wraps from the rest of the cast and production team throughout their time together on the show.

There were rumours about a “great connection” between them blossoming on the show, but their fellow contestants attributed it to their “insane chemistry,” a common theme on the reality show that emerged after they trained together for months.

But after the news became public, several stars who competed that year have since realised that “the signs were there” from the beginning. The insider added: “This just could not come at a worse time.

The curse struck just weeks after Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman announced their exit from the show (Image: CREDIT LINE:BBC/Ray Burmiston)

“People talk about the ‘curse of Strictly’, meaning that it kills off marriages and relationships. But lately, it’s felt like a curse applies to the show itself. It’s just been one thing after another.” Express.co.uk has contacted a BBC representative for a comment.

The news comes after another relationship scandal started circulating online this week, in which a married celebrity was filmed kissing their professional dance partner. It was said that the 12-second clip now “threatens to detonate Strictly”.

The report states that the video was taken backstage at Elstree Studios by a member of the production team who spotted the pair cosying up in their dressing room.

Previous couples who have suffered the so-called curse include Natasha Kaplinsky and Brendan Cole, Matt Di Angelo and Flavia Cacace, Ali Bastian and Brian Fortuna, and Joe Calzaghe and Kristina Rihanoff.

Also afflicted by the set curse are Kara Tointon and Artem Chigvintsev, Ben Cohen and Kristina Rihanoff, and Rachel Riley and Pasha Kovalev.