Strictly curse strikes again as another celebrity’s affair with dancer is ‘revealed’

A Strictly Come Dancing couple on a recent series reportedly had a secret affair shortly before the celebrity dancer’s relationship broke down.

The last couple of years has seen several controversies engulf the broadcaster, with BBC last week following a controversial Donald Trump Panorama documentary.

Now, however, the emergence of yet another ‘Strictly curse’ relationship appears to be on the horizon, heaping more pressure on the show’s producers following the exit of Claudia Winkelman and Tess Daly.

An insider told the Daily Mail: ‘One of the celebrities had a fling with one of the dancers while they were still with a partner at home – and everyone has just found out.

‘It’s unclear if their partner ever found out but the relationship later ended so it’s not inconceivable that they did.’

The source added: ‘This just could not come at a worse time. People talk about the “curse of Strictly” meaning that it kills off marriages and relationships – and goodness knows there have been plenty of those episodes… It’s just been one thing after another.’

It is believed that the dance pairing managed to keep the fact that they were having an affair a secret from the rest of the production.

There were, however, rumblings that they shared a ‘great connection’ while they were competing, which has led those connected to their series to realise the ‘signs were there’ in plain sight.

This is certainly not the first time that the flagship BBC dance competition has faced a scandal.

Issues were prevalent after 2023 contestant Amanda Abbington, who was partnered with pro Giovanni Pernice, quit Strictly shortly into her time on the show.

After months of rumours, Abbington accused Pernice of ‘unnecessary, abusive, cruel and mean’ behaviour in June 2024 and creating a ‘toxic environment’ which prompted the BBC to launch a probe.

The review concluded there were no findings relating to physical aggression, but six complaints of verbal bullying and harassment were upheld against him.

The same month, it was revealed that fellow pro Zara McDermott.

Following that, Strictly star Janette Manrara.

A spokesperson told the BBC at the time: ‘We have made it very clear to Wynne that we do not tolerate such behaviour on the tour.’

In September, axed by the BBC after using a disability-related slur while on Strictly.