Strictly Come Dancing has experienced its fair share of controversies in the past 22 years - from accusations it is fixed to scandalous relationships blossoming from the competition.
The ITV Saturday night show, which has been on screens since 2004, has borne what is called the ‘strictly curse’.
The deadly ‘curse’ refers to the trend of celebrities and professional dancers upheaving their personal lives after or during the show, with Adam Peaty just this week announcing he had split from his girlfriend of three years.
In the past, the BBC One show has seemed to cause rifts between celebrities and their relationships, ultimately causing them to break up.
And in other cases, new romances blossom between the professional dancers and celebrity contestant. It may be because of a mix of intense schedules, passionate dances and physical closeness that affects off-screen relationships and ignites new bonds to form between the dance partners.
Strictly Come Dancing is a potent mix of multiple factors that can end up in an affair. Even the strongest of relationships can fall victim to it and according to Sex and Relationships expert Jess Leoni, there are three main scientific and psychological factors as to why the deadly Strictly curse continues to rage on.
The expert at Illicit Encounters, a marital affairs site, exclusively told The Mirror, that touch, a shake-up in their routine, and attention are all catalysts when it comes to the Strictly Curse.
Touch
"Touch is such an important part of a relationship," the dating expert insists. "It communicates emotions to others because it stimulates the production of oxytocin, sometimes known as the love hormone. And it’s unavoidable on the dance floor.
"Added to that, each week dancers need to play characters which are always rooted in a story of love between the two. When you’re playing that part week after week, it can feel utterly real in that moment and trick you into thinking you’re in love."
A shake-up in routine
"Much of the celebrities on Strictly have never done anything like this before – bar Fleur East who’s no stranger to a realty show or two – this pushes people into believing they’re in their own bubble," Jess told The Mirror.
"They forget about their normal lives. They disassociate. It causes them to be unable to relate to their partner as they’re at such different parts of their lives. Which causes them to be distant and cracks to start to appear."
Attention
"Attention is also a key competent when it comes to the Strictly Curse - it’s been scientifically proven to be addictive," Jess explained.
"And it's unavoidable on the dance floor. Dancers are spending well over 12 hours a day with their partners, they eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner together, practically living together.
"All the attention they’d usually get from their married-partners, shifts to being from their dance-partners. Which understandably causes couples to become increasingly confused about their emotions. It takes a very strong person to resist."
Strictly Curse set to strike again
Although there has been many a relationship formed from the Strictly Curse in the past, our dating expert has predicted that it's not over yet, and could be set to happen again when the new series kicks off.
Previous examples include Stacey Dooley and Kevin Clifton's romance. After winning the Glitterball in 2018, journalist Stacey, 35, split from her long-term boyfriend of five years, Sam Tucknott, just months after the show finished.
Four months later, in April 2019, Stacey and Kevin Clifton, 39, went public as a couple and are still together to this day.
Kevin was previously married to fellow professional dancer Karen, but they split in March 2018 and remain friendly.
During the 2007 series, dancer Flavia Cacace, 42, reportedly dumped her long-term dance partner and boyfriend of eight years, Vincent Simone, 43, for EastEnders actor Matt Di Angelo, 35.
There must have been a lot of awkwardness backstage during the season. However, Matt and Flavia eventually split in 2010.
The Italian dancer went on to marry actor and chef Jimi Mistry in 2013, who were partners in 2010 during the eighth season.
Just months after competing in Strictly in 2016, with partner Kevin Clifton, Louise, 47, and Jamie Redknapp, 48, announced their shocking split.
After 19 years of being together and two children, the couple split in 2017.
Although there was no new relationship emerging from the show, the ‘Strictly curse’ seemed to deteriorate a long-term relationship.
Katya Jones and Seann Walsh made headlines across the country when they were pictured kissing in the streets of London.
Katya, 33, was married to fellow dancer Neil Jones, 40, and 36 year old comedian Seann was dating actress Rebecca Humphries, 34.
Although they both apologised and said it was a “drunken mistake”, Seann was publicly dumped by Rebecca on social media and Katya and Neil parted ways in 2019.
Katya tweeted an apology: “I’m so sorry about any offence or hurt I may have caused with my actions.
“I wasn’t thinking and it was a one-off mistake after some drinks. I love my husband and we are very happy together, this is not a reflection on our relationship.”
Adam Peaty denies Strictly Curse
Adam Peaty announced his split from girlfriend of three-years, Eiri Munro, earlier this week - and immediately, tongues started wagging that it was all down to the Strictly Curse.
In a bombshell Instagram statement, Adam, 27, apologised to Eiri, 24, and their two-year-old son George, for 'letting them down'.
Shortly after, his brother James has said he is aware of the reasons for the split - and it is nothing to do with the so-called 'Strictly curse'.
James said he was not in a position to share the details, as he spoke about how his heartbroken sibling was fairing up following the relationship breakdown.
"He was in it over a year ago. It has nothing to do with Strictly," James told MailOnline. "I was surprised that it happened but sensed it was coming, but Adam’s doing OK. It’s his Gladiator mindset."
‘A lot of people will wonder why it’s happened, he has a lot of followers. I’m close to my brother, I’m with him every day, and he confides in me. I’m his support network."
The launch show of Strictly Come Dancing - when viewers discover which celebrity has been paired with which professional dancer - will be broadcast on BBC One on Saturday 17 September, with the live shows beginning a week later on Saturday 24 September.
