Stacey Dooley Partner: Who’s Been Hit By The Strictly Curse?
From Stacey Dooley’s partner Kevin Clifton to Rachel Riley’s pro dancer, we’re looking at couple’s who’ve been hit by the Strictly curse…
With the raunchy rumba and the steamy samba, professional dancers and celebrity partners constantly get up close and personal on BBC show Strictly Come Dancing.
And over the years, the ‘Strictly curse’ is claimed to be the reason for many of the contestant’s break-ups, scandals and even divorces, putting the strongest of relationships to the test.
But is the famous ‘Strictly curse‘ just an urban myth? Unfortunately, the evidence suggests not…
Last year, the dance show’s curse proved it’s still as alive as ever as comedian Seann Walsh was caught kissing his (married) dance partner Katya Jones – which they revealed was a ‘drunken mistake’.
Image Source/The Week UK
Oh and then there was Stacey Dooley’s split from her long-term boyfriend, right before her and Kevin Clifton announced they were shacked up together – and that was just 2018…
Let’s see just how many celebrity couples have been struck by the infamous Strictly curse…
2016 – Louise And Jamie Redknapp
Perhaps the most shocking of them all to be hit by rumours of the Strictly curse was the seemingly loved-up Louise and Jamie Redknapp. After being married for 19 years, the pair announced a divorce shortly after Louise concluded her stint on the dance show.
Louise was partnered up with Kevin and rumours began to emerge of the pair spending an increasing amount of time together after Kevin’s marriage to wife Kevin ended shortly before the show began. When asked about any possible romance with Louise, Kevin revealed:
“No, never. You’re there to do a job and get on with the dancing. That’s what it’s about.”
Image Source/Hello
2013 – Rachel Riley And Pasha Kovalev
Countdown star Rachel Riley was quick to deny that there was anything going with her dancing partner Pasha Kovalev, but all was revealed following her split with her husband Jamie Gilbert soon after she finished on the show.
The following year it was eventually revealed that Rachel and Pasha were in a relationship – and a wedding and pregnancy later, the pair are still going strong.
Despite having it unfold in front of her eyes, Rachel still denies that the Strictly curse is a ‘thing’:
“I don’t think there’s a Strictly curse, but it does serve as a magnifying glass that shows up pre-existing fault lines.”
Image Source/Instagram
2015 – Georgia May Foote And Giovanni
Former Coronation Street actress Georgia was dating her fellow Corrie star Sean Ward when she joined Strictly. That was before she met Giovanni…
Shortly after the final, Georgia announced that her and Sean had split and her public romance with Gio started…
Unfortunately, it wasn’t meant to be and the couple revealed that they’d parted ways in 2016.
Image Source/Heat Magazine
2004 – Natasha Caplinsky And Brendan Cole
Newsreader Natasha and pro dancer Brendan were paired together back in the ye olden days of Strictly and were the very first couple to experience the ‘Strictly curse’.
Brendan was engaged to Camilla Dallerup at the time that the rumours of an affair with Natasha began.
At the time, Natasha insisted:
“I fell in love with dancing, but I did not fall in love with Brendan.”
But Brendan, who is now married to model Zoe Hobbs, later admitted:
“I didn’t cross any lines with Natasha. I was single. Camilla had ended the relationship very early on in the series so what happened happened after that.
“It was a harrowing time – winning the show as much as my friendship with Natasha. On the other hand it was like, Holy Moses. It can ruin a marriage so easily.”
Image Source/Metro
2007 + 2010 – Flavia Cacace And Matt Di Angelo And Jimi Mistry
Flavia’s been through her fair share of Strictly romances. It all started while she was dating fellow professional Vincent Simone (whom she’d dated since she was 14) and she was paired with Matt Di Angelo. The rest was history…
After three years in a relationship with Matt, Flavia fell in love on the show again – this time, with celeb partner Jimi Mistry.
Flavia admitted she was concerned about being judged by the public after getting together with another man on the dance show:
“Of course. I couldn’t believe it. I thought, ‘Oh God, please no!’ But we couldn’t help it. It was fate.”
The professional dancer didn’t regret her choice in partner – she married Jimi in 2013 and they have been together ever since!
Image Source/Hello
2013- Kristina Rihanoff And Ben Cohen
Probably the most famous (and scandalous) affairs on Strictly. Ben’s relationship was quickly stolen by the Strictly curse when he ended his marriage to wife of 23 years Abby Blayney.
Of course, Abby was gutted. During divorce proceedings, Abby stated:
“I’m Ben Cohen’s ex-wife. If it wasn’t for that woman me and Ben would still be married. But so what? I’m moving on.”
“He’s done the dirty on me and I want people to know. My husband, who I was with for 23 years, unconditionally loved and was completely loyal to, has left me for a f*****g Russian dancer.”
Fortunately for Ben, he and pro dancer Kristina are still together, welcoming their own daughter, Milena.
Image Source/Hello Magazine
2018 – Stacey Dooley And Kevin Clifton
Stacey’s 30-year-old personal trainer ex revealed that Stacey and Kevin we’re seeing each other while she was still in a relationship with him.
However, it was only in March – three months after Strictly had finished – that the couple agreed to part ways. Stacey Dooley and partner Kevin have now gone public with their relationship.
Image Source/Hello Magazine
