14 August 2023 , 13:59
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Strictly Come Dancing's Claudia Winkleman has said she can 'understand' the show's infamous curse after contestant John Whaite came clean about his experience on the show.
The Great British Bake Off winner, 34, admitted he 'fell in love' with dance partner Johannes Radebe, 36, after the two made history by becoming the first same-sex couple to take to the dance floor in 2021, despite being engaged. As a result, John temporarily split from his fiancé, Paul, after the season finale.
The BBC dance show has been linked to a so-called 'curse', that has seen a number of long-term couples split after one member has fallen for a co-star on the competition. It has been reported that 14 couples have broken up during the show's 20 years on TV.
Host Claudia, 51, has previously said she can totally see why new relations form under such intense conditions, saying: "I understand [the pressure], it's very intense.
"I don't believe in the curse, but I think lots of people have come in single and they might have met somebody or had a little romance.
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Strictly Come Dancing host, Claudia Winkleman, has spoken out about the show's 'curse' (PA)
The Great British Bake Off winner John Whaite admitted he 'fell in love' with dance partner Johannes Radebe (Guy Levy/BBC)"It's intoxicating, Strictly, because you're all part of this extraordinary juggernaut. So I don't think people fall in love with people, they might just love the experience," she previously told The Sun.
However, John reckons he almost lost his relationship after he strutted his stuff on the dance floor with Johannes, telling The Times, he said: "I fell in love with him [Johannes]. I can't speak for him – because I'm not allowed to, legally – but it felt like there was love there. We had such similar stories growing up; the homophobia, the bullying, coming out, coming to terms with our sexuality, as any queer kid would." John then stated: "I still love Johannes. Of course I do."
The show's so-called curse appears to have struck a number of couples over the years. Katya Jones was married to fellow dancer Neil Jones before she was seen snogging her dance partner Seann Walsh, who was at the time dating actress Rebecca Humphries. Although Seann and Katya apologised and said it was a “drunken mistake”, the comedian was publicly dumped by Rebecca on social media and Katya and Neil parted ways in 2019.
Elsewhere, Stacey Dooley split from her long-term boyfriend of five years, Sam Tucknott, just months after the show finished. She and Strictly pro Kevin Clifton are still going strong and became proud parents to daughter Minnie in January.
Fans are already talking about whether the curse will strike again this year with Zara McDermott's boyfriend Sam Thompson said to be 'concerned' about the Love Island star going on the show. A source told OK! magazine: “The Strictly curse is definitely playing on his mind. She [Zara] is getting hotter by the minute and she’s likely to be a huge favourite.“