Emmerdale star Anthony Quinlan has denied that the Strictly curse ended his relationship with Dianne Buswell.
The actor, who plays Pete Barton in the ITV soap, split with Buswell last week after a 10-month relationship amid reports he was concerned she was getting too close to partner Joe Sugg.
But Quinlan opened up about his split saying that it was not the fault of the show and that they are still “good friends”.
The 34-year-old told the Daily Star: “We’re still really good friends – it’s just distance played a part. There were all these rumours about the ‘Strictly’ curse but it wasn’t that.
“I’m actually rooting for Joe and Dianne. They’re doing absolutely amazing in strictly and I still think the world of the girl. ‘We were really close, it just wasn’t meant to be.”
Quinlan and Buswell confirmed their split last week, with a rep for the dancer saying: “Due to their busy schedules and distance they have split but still remain really close friends.”
Reports claimed that Quinlan had concerns over Buswell’s closeness to partner Joe Sugg, and they decided “enough is enough” a few weeks ago.
A source told The Sun: “Everyone on set’s been discussing how close they’d become. It did not go unnoticed by Anthony.
“She’s having a lot of fun with the show at the moment and is enjoying spending time with her dance partner Joe.
“A couple of weeks ago they just decided enough was enough and ended things. There’s not bad blood between them but it looks like a reconciliation is off the cards this time.”
The insider added that they “felt things just weren’t working” with Buswell living down South and Quinlan based in the North.
