1. Newsreader Natasha Kaplinsky and Brendan Cole
When Natasha Kaplinsky was paired up with professional dancer Brendan, the chemistry between them was immediately obvious – which is great for dancing, not so great for a marriage. The pair denied anything happening between them, but the rumours were enough for Brendan’s fiancee to leave him.
2. Actor Matt Di Angelo and Flavia Cacace
image source: themirror.co.uk
Flavia Cacace has definitely been treating the show like a dating pool! She began in a relationship with another professional dancer on the show, but when paired with Matt Di Angelo, there was clear chemistry. In 2007, they denied rumours they’d had an affair… but then ended up dating, before splitting in 2010. Flavia then dated her new Strictly partner, Jimi Mistry, and the pair are now married.
3. Actor Ricky Whittle and Natalie Lowe
image source: sthelensstar.co.uk
Whilst starring in the 2009 series of Strictly, Ricky split with his girlfriend, and he had obvious chemistry with dance partner Natalie Lowe… leading to rumours circulating that Natalie had been the reason for the split. Ricky denied them, saying he was ‘acting’ on the dancefloor. Is he that good of an actor? You decide!
4. Boxer Joe Calzaghe and Kristina Rihanoff
image source: dailystar.co.uk
Joe Calzaghe was another star to have his relationship end during the filming of Strictly, though it’s not known for certain why he split with his girlfriend of five years. One thing is for certain, though: once the series ended, he and dance partner Kristina Rihanoff announced they were officially dating! And did so for four years, before splitting.
5. Countdown’s Rachel Riley and Pasha Kovalev
image source: themirror.co.uk
Rachel was already married to James Gilbert when she appeared on the show, and was paired with Pasha Kovalev. After being eliminated from the show, Rachel also ended her marriage and then a year later, she and Pasha went public with their relationship, and they now have two children together!
6. TV host Susanna Reid and Kevin Clifton
image source: themirror.co.uk
Only a few weeks after Susanna’s season of Strictly ended, she split with her partner, Dominic Cotton. Many were quick to point out her chemistry with dance partner Kevin Clifton, but Susanna made it clear that the show wasn’t responsible for the breakup and that it was pure coincidence…
7. Rugby player Ben Cohen and Kristina Rihanoff
image source: birminghammail.co.uk
When Ben appeared on the show, he was married at the time – and he’s now engaged to Kristina. After the show ended, Kristina and Ben made their relationship official, and they now have a child together – but Ben’s ex wife of over ten years wasn’t too happy about Kristina’s claim that they’d only started seeing each other after Ben’s marriage ended…
8. Comedian Seann Walsh and Katya Jones
image source: theguardian.co.uk
This was one of those rare occasions when the Strictly Curse actually has photographic proof! Seann and Katya were snapped sharing a snog – whilst Katya was married to someone else, and Seann had a girlfriend. In the fallout, Seann’s girlfriend dumped him, claiming he’d called her “nuts” for suspecting an affair, and Katya’s marriage ended for reasons she claimed were nothing to do with Seann…
9. Bake Off’s John Whaite and Johannes Radebe
image source: hellomagazine.com
There were clear sparks flying all over the dancefloor with this Strictly couple, and although John was engaged to his partner, Paul, he decided to take some time apart from the relationship due to his feelings for Johannes. He admitted that he “fell in love with him” but decided to stay with partner Paul instead.
10. Actress Ellie Leech and Vito Coppola
image source: liverpoolecho.co.uk
This year’s season of Strictly is well and truly off, and we already have clear chemistry between Ellie and Vito that has people talking – and they seem to have been gazing at each other rather too much in interviews. Ellie recently split from a cheating boyfriend, so could a full romance be on the cards for her and Vito?