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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Halina Watts & Frances Kindon & Freddie Bennett

Strictly's Fleur East was 'reborn' during ancient ritual to ward off the show's 'curse'

Each year brings fresh talk of the dreaded Strictly Come Dancing 'curse', but hopeful Fleur East and her husband have no fear of it striking thanks to an ancient ritual they took part in.

Fleur, 34, says her marriage to French fashion designer Marcel Badiane-Robin is stronger than ever thanks to a trip they took to Mexico for their third wedding anniversary during which they were 'reborn'.

"We went to Tabasco where a Hispanic ritual is performed. You go through portals in what looks like a clay igloo," she told The Mirror of the June holiday.

"It's a wholly spiritual experience. We both felt really light and we felt new again.

"It's like you're reborn."

Fleur East and husband Marcel took part in an ancient ritual in Mexico (Getty Images Europe)
The couple celebrated their third anniversary in Mexico (Dave Benett/Getty Images for evian)

"So you kind of let go of, you know, any grudges, you're holding… any negativity, any preconceived ideas that kind of hold you back."

Fleur also feels the ancient ritual helped her get through the death of her father, who passed away in 2020.

The Strictly whizz was left devastated by Malcolm's death, but said the loss made her "appreciate things more" and sparked a desire to start a family with her husband.

Although she still isn't 'planning' to have children in the immediate future, Fleur isn't 'waiting' for the right time anymore, and will instead let things 'happen naturally'.

Fleur is partnered with professional dancer Vito Coppola (PA)

She previously told MailOnline: "I appreciate things more. It's interesting because before I was like, 'I'll take it as it comes, I'm not in a rush, we've got time'. But as soon as you lose someone, you're like 'Wow! Okay'. You can't really plan for anything, nothing's promised.

"So it's changed my views on that definitely. I'm a bit more open to the idea of starting a family now. I'm still not planning it, but I'm not waiting and saying, 'I'll start in a year' or anything like that. We are just letting things happen naturally now!"

The singer said she was 'so grateful' that she was able to tie the knot in front of her late father.

"He got to walk me up the aisle and we have all those amazing memories as a family, not just as a couple, so that's been comforting," she told Hello!

Fleur and Marcel tied the knot three years ago (BBC/Avalon/Ellis O'Brien)

"The feelings still come in waves – I see something and it reminds me and I get upset. Then I'll see something that makes me smile, so it's ups and downs. His birthday was always around Father's Day, so everything is a reminder, constantly."

And while Fleur was heartbroken over the death of her father, she believes she has received a 'sign' from him wishing her "all the luck in the world" with her stint on Strictly.

Her cousin recently went to see a medium, who told her she had a message from someone on the other side called Malcolm, whose daughter was a performer. According to the medium, Malcolm said the daughter was "about to start an adventure".

The medium said: "He says to tell her I'm so proud of her and give her all the luck in the world."

Strictly Come Dancing continues tonight at 6.50pm on BBC One.

Who do you think will face the Strictly dance-off this week? Share your thoughts in the comments section below...

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