Strictly curse unlikely to strike this year because of new BBC precaution (original) (raw)
Strictly Come Dancing has chaperones in the training rooms for the first time ever on the show after Amanda Abbington accused Giovanni Pernice of bullying her on the series last year
The so-called Strictly Come Dancing 'curse' is unlikely to strike this year because of a strict new measure the BBC has taken
The so-called Strictly Come Dancing 'curse' is unlikely to strike this year because of a strict new measure the BBC has taken.
After a bombshell few months for the corporation in which actress, Amanda Abbington, 50, accused Giovanni Pernice, 34, of bullying her - which the Sicilian strenuously denies - the BBC made a huge change to the show.
Announcing it was introducing chaperones to every rehearsal room for the safety of 'everyone on the programme', channel bosses said the precaution would "strengthen welfare" on the series. However, while accepting the move was positive in light of the recent allegations made about some of Strictly's professional dancers, brand expert, Nick Ede, predicts the presence of chaperones will put an end to any "budding romances" on the show.
Strictly Come Dancing has chaperones in the training rooms after Amanda Abbington accused Giovanni Pernice of bullying (
Image:
PA)
Speaking ahead of the new series, he told The Sun: "I think the chaperone thing is going to really be a block to some budding romances. I don't think we'll see as much passion, because obviously there's somebody there. But intimacy and chemistry are what the judges always talk about."
He continued: “One of the biggest things about Strictly is seeing a celebrity that we see on the soap opera dancing with a gorgeous performer, and seeing what their chemistry is like, and that's what kind of ignites us.”
The show has been plagued by rumours of a curse over the years after several contestants were romantically linked to their dance partners.
Back in 2018, Seann Walsh and Katya Jones, shared a steamy snog, which hit all the headlines. The tryst lead to the comedian's breakup with his girlfriend, and Katya’s eventual divorce from pro dancer, Neil Jones.
Other celebrities who have fallen victim to the bright lights include newsreader Natasha Kaplinsky and professional dancer Brendan Cole. After appearing on the first ever series of Strictly in 2004, there was clear chemistry between the pair, which they both denied. However, the rumours led to the breakdown of New Zealander Brendan’s marriage to his fiancée Camilla Dallerup, who was also a professional on the show.
Giving her take on the curse of Strictly, pro dancer, Karen Hauer, reckons there are more stars who have enjoyed extra curricular activities on the show, quipping: "Whoever wants to play, that's on them." Speaking to new! magazine, she said of the curse: "I’ve seen things. I’m not gonna talk about them. It exists. It’s there. Whoever wants to go and play, that’s there on them."
Meanwhile, sharing her thoughts on the phenomenon, host Claudia Winkleman told Digital Spy: "I understand, 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."
She added: "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."
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