Strictly Come Dancing will return in the autumn, with a whole new group of celebrities vying to lift the Glitterball Trophy. But while the stars will learn amazing new dances and form firm friendships during their time on the much-loved BBC reality show, others will find it difficult to resist romantic temptation too. The so-called 'Strictly curse' has seen celebrities and dance partners fall in love despite already being in relationships.
Rumours of romance between newly paired up couples began right back in the first series of Strictly in 2004, when show winners Natasha Kaplinsky and Brendan Cole were said to be romantically involved . Some celebrities meanwhile, including Susanna Reid and Louise Redknapp, have seen their relationships falter at the time of Strictly without any romance with their dance partners. More recently, Ian Waite, a popular dancer on Strictly from 2004 to 2010, split from his husband of seven years, Drew Merriman.
He told the Mirror : "My split with Drew was nothing whatsoever to do with any so called Strictly 'curse', it was more about us having different outlooks on life and what relationships should be like, which meant we were not compatible. I wish Drew and his new partner all the best for the future." We take a closer look at the ' Strictly curse' in action.
.. Newsreader Natasha Kaplinsky was partnered with professional dancer Brendan Cole on the first ever series of Strictly in 2004.
There was clear chemistry between the pair, which both denie.
