ICYMI: Strictly Come Dancing is returning to our screens! The first episode of the new season will be airing on Saturday night (27 September).
We're still pretty gagged by the list of celeb contestants, including Amber Davies (who has replaced Dani Dyer) and RuPaul's Drag Race UK alum La Voix.
With our minds set on the big debut on Saturday, we also can't help but think back to past seasons - in particular the s0-called 'Strictly curse'. Allegedly, the curse sees some couples breakup shortly after one partner has appeared on the show, sometimes developing relationships with their Strictly dancing partner shortly after. But, of course, plenty of these breakups will be coincidental, rather than directly a cause of the curse!
Whether or not the 'Strictly curse' is real, or just a matter or timing and circumstance, is yet to be seen. Many people reject the idea of there being a 'curse' given that plenty of couples have met on the show and gone on to have very happy relationships.
However, if you're interested, here is a full list of the relationships which have either formed or ended during or shortly after the filming of Strictly Come Dancing.
Louise and Jamie Redknapp
Louise and Jamie Redknapp had been married for 19 years before they announced their divorce in 2017, shortly after she appeared on Strictly Come Dancing in 2016.
Stacey Dooley and Kevin Clifton
Stacey Dooley won Strictly Come Dancing with dance partner Kevin Clifton in 2018. Three months later, her relationship with Sam Tucknott ended. Since 2019, Stacey and Kevin have been a couple.
Karen Hauer and Kevin Clifton
Karen Hauer and Kevin Clifton are both professional dancers who were popular faces on Strictly. However, they announced they divorced in 2018. In 2019, Stacey Dooley and Kevin Clifton announced their relationship (which you can read more about, above).
Katya Jones and Seann Walsh
In 2018, comedian Seann Walsh appeared on Strictly and was paired with pro dancer Katya Jones, who was married to fellow dancer Neil Jones. Seann was in a relationship with actress Rebecca Humphries. A picture of Seann and Katya kissing appeared in the press, leading them both to publicly apologise. Neither Seann or Katya are currently still in the relationships they were in at the time of the show airing.
Camilla Dallerup and Brendan Cole
Former professional ballroom dancer Camilla Dallerup was in a relationship with fellow dancer Brendan Cole for several years before they both appeared on Strictly. Brendan was paired with Natasha Kaplinsky during the show in 2004, around which time Brendan and Camilla broke up.
In 2015, Camilla opened up about the split, saying: "To this day I have no idea whether it was her fame and celebrity that swept him away or if he really did feel a strong connection with her [Natasha],"
"I'm guessing it was probably a bit of both. What was really hurtful was not just that Brendan appeared to have forgotten he was engaged, the entire nation seem to have forgotten he was engaged."
In 2018, Brendan said that "something did happen" with Natasha, but insists it wasn't an affair.
He said: "The chemistry was there, plain for all to see. I didn't have an affair. Camilla chose to leave. Once you do something, after that it's not an affair."
According to Natasha: "There was chemistry, of course, and I certainly fell in love with dancing, but I did not fall in love with Brendan."
Joe Calzaghe and Kristina Rihanoff
While appearing on the show in 2009, Joe Calzaghe broke up with his girlfriend Jo-Emma Larvin. He then began on a relationship of four years with his dance partner Kristina Rihanoff.
Ben Cohen and Kristina Rihanoff
After appearing on the 2013 iteration of Strictly Come Dancing, Ben Cohen announced his divorce from his wife of 11 years. He then announced he had begun a relationship with his dance partner from Strictly, Kristina Rihanoff. Ben and Kristina are currently engaged, and have a daughter together.
Matt Di Angelo and Flavia Cacace
In 2007, professional dancers Flavia Cacace and Vincent Simone ended their romantic relationship. Later, Flavia announced she was in a relationship with her partner on the show, Matt Di Angelo. Sadly, Flavia and Matt broke up in 2010.
Rachel Riley and Jamie Gilbert
In 2013, while appearing on Strictly, Rachel Riley announced she and her husband Jamie Gilbert were splitting up. Slightly under a year later, she announced a relationship with former Strictly partner Pasha Kovalev and has confirmed there was no overlap between the relationships.
Georgia May Foote and Sean Ward
Georgia May Foote was in a relationship with Sean Ward when she entered into Strictly in 2015. Unfortunately, they then broke up and she began dating Strictly partner Giovanni Pernice. Sadly, Georgia and Giovanni also broke up.
Helen George and Oliver Boot
After Helen George appeared on Strictly in 2015, she and her then-husband Oliver Boot sadly broke up.
A spokesperson for George confirmed the breakup and said it had occurred "some time ago...before that year's Strictly started."
Susanna Reid and Dominic Cotton
Susanna Reid appeared on Strictly in 2013, after which she and her then-husband Dominic Cotton unfortunately went their separate ways.
In 2019, she told Loose Women that Strictly was "not responsible for the break up of my relationship". She also added that she remains "fantastic friends with my ex" and is still "really good friends with Kevin" (her dance partner).
