Strictly Come Dancing has not just launched the careers of its contestants over the last 20 years – it’s also given a number of celebrities their romantic partners. Now, judge Craig Revel Horwood wants these love affairs to stop being seen as “Strictly scandals”, saying that he wants people “to fall in love” if it’s the right time in their lives.
In recent years, we’ve seen the likes of Stacey Dooley and Kevin Clifton, Ben Cohen and Kristina Rihanoff, and Joe Sugg and Diane Buswell among other couples become romantically involved after competing on the show together.
Meanwhile, some flings prove to be more controversial than others; in 2018, comedian Seann Walsh was photographed kissing pro Katya Jones on a night out in London even though both were in relationships with other people at the time.
In a new interview, Horwood shared his thoughts on stars and professionals getting together on the show. When asked whether we’ll see a Strictly scandal unfold this year, he told The Times: “How can you call falling in love and getting married a scandal when two people have met at the right point?”
He added: “Strictly is such a micro-spotlight, it’s pushed out of all proportion. I encourage people to fall in love. If it’s the right time in your life and you meet someone, you take that and say, ‘Thank you very much, world,’ and live a happy life.”
Dubbed “the Strictly curse” by the tabloids, there have been some instances of the hit BBC show causing the demise of celebrity’s pre-existing relationships after spending hours in emotionally-charged rehearsals with their toned professional dance partners.
Countdown’s Rachel Riley split from her husband shortly after taking part in the 2013 series and went on to marry her dance partner Pasha Kovalev, while Hollyoaks star Ricky Whittle broke up with his long-time girlfriend Carly Stenson during the 2009 series and later dated his dance partner, Natalie Lowe.
In 2018, former host Claudia Winkleman said that she doesn’t believe in the curse but understood how “intense” the show can be. “I don't believe in the curse, but I think lots of people have come in single and they might have met somebody or had a little romance,” she told Digital Spy at the time.
“It's intoxicating, Strictly, because you're all part of this extraordinary juggernaut. So I don't think people fall in love with people, they might just love the experience.”
Strictly’s 2026 series is currently underway, with the likes of Love Island’s Dani Dyer, singer Delta Goodrem and footballer Shaun Wright-Phillips competing on the show this year. It has marked the presenting debut of Strictly’s new trio Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe, who took over from Winkleman and Tess Daly earlier this year.
