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Charlotte Tutton & Karen Price

Strictly Come Dancing romances: Who's still together and where are they now?

Strictly Come Dancing is renowned for its glitz, glamour - and many romances.

In fact, there are constant claims that there's a 'Strictly curse' because of the number of relationships that have ended after one partner has appeared on the series and many of them have then gone on to find love with their dance partner or another co-star.

The 2019 series is due to air on BBC One from September and - but will there be any new couplings?

As we wait to see, we look at all the couples who found love on the show, and where they are now...

Rachel Riley and Pasha Kovalev

Rachel Riley and Pasha Kovalev in 2016 (PA)

Countdown star Rachel, 32, was partnered with Russian pro Pasha in Strictly 2013 and it coincided with her split from husband Jamie Gilbert after 16 months of marriage.

But both insist they didn’t become close away from the rehearsal room until after Rachel’s marriage broke up - and earlier this year they tied the knot in secret in Las Vegas and are now expecting their first child together.

Kevin Clifton and Stacey Dooley

Winners Kevin Clifton and Stacey Dooley (PA)

 

Documentary star Stacey Dooley won Strictly with dance partner Kevin Clifton in 2018 - and just weeks later it was revealed that her relationship to Sam Tucknott was over after five years.

While it had been put down to conflicting schedules, there were continuing growing rumours Stacey had fallen for her former Strictly mentor.

Stacey and Kevin didn't confirm their 'amazing' romance until fairly recently, with Stacey admitting they were not planning to give too much away about their private lives.

Speaking to the Guardian in July, she did say: "Kev and I have agreed not to go into too much detail about our private lives because you can’t really indulge that and then ask for privacy.

"That’s why we’ve turned down interviews that have offered us tens of thousands of pounds. What I am happy to say is Kev’s amazing, I’m happy, life happens, I’ve got an amazing career and I’m very lucky."

Kevin was married to fellow professional dancer Karen Hauer for three years until they split in 2018.

Joe Sugg and Dianne Buswell

(PA)

 

There was a sizzling chemistry between blogger Joe and his his dance pro partner from the start.

And after they were finalists in the 2018 series, Joe posted a photo on Instagram - which has been liked more than one million times - saying: “I may not have won the glitter ball, but I’ve won something a million times more special.”

Dianne  had split with her boyfriend Emmerdale actor Anthony Quinlan just three weeks into the series.

They're still super loved up now, often taking to Instagram with super romantic photos.

Joe took Dianne on a romantic holiday to the Greek island of Mykonos recently too, while Diane is confirmed to be taking part in the next series.

Ashley Roberts and Giovanni Pernice

(Instagram)

 

Strictly’s arrow can strike even between those who aren’t partners - as was the case for the former Pussycat Doll and pro dancer Giovanni.

Ashley won a place in the 2018 final with Pasha Kovalev but it was former Steps dancer Faye Tozer’s partner Giovanni Pernice who won her heart.

While they both denied any romance at first, with Ashley saying they were "just friends" but they've since confirmed they're together and often post pictures on their Instagram.

Giovanni also dated his former Strictly dance partner Georgia Mae Foote when they met on the show back in 2015. The pair split up the following year.

Gemma Atkinson and Gorka Marquez

(Instagram)

 

Just like Ashley and Giovanni, Gemma and Gorka weren’t partnered together in Strictly 2017 - Gemma, reached the final with her dance partner Aljaz Skorjanec, as did Gorka, and singer Alexandra Burke - but apparently they were seen flirting throughout the show.

But both insist they did not get together until after the final when they got to know each other a lot better on the Strictly tour.

They quickly moved in together and on February 1 confirmed they were expecting their first baby, welcoming daughter Mia in July.

Jimi Mistry and Flavia Cacace

In 2010, a few weeks after breaking up with former Strictly Come Dancing  partner Matt Di Angelo, Flavia confirmed she was dating her latest Strictly partner Jimi Mistry, who was raised in Radyr, near Cardiff.

Flavia was worried she’d be judged harshly for falling for two contestants.

She said: “I couldn’t believe it. I thought, ‘Oh God, please no!' But we couldn’t help it. It was fate.”

The pair made things work, tying the knot back in 2013 - and they've been married ever since.

Actor turned chef Jimi took to Instagram only recently to post a snap of them together, while Flavia's own profile boasts a number of sweet photos of the two of them.

Flavia was previously with fellow Strictly pro Vincent Simone for 11 years, before they split in 2007 amid her romance with EastEnders star Matt.

Ben Cohen and Kristina Rihanoff

In 2013 Russian dance pro Kristina was partnered with rugby star Ben Cohen, 40 and they embarked on a dance floor romance which led to the break-up of Ben’s 12-year marriage to Abby Blayney, who is mum to their twin girls.

Abby and Ben had been together for 23 years. She said: “If it wasn’t for that woman, me and Ben would still be married.”

Kristina has lasted the course with Ben and announced her pregnancy in the  Big Brother  house in January 2016. They now have a daughter, Mila.

Natasha Kaplinsky and Brendan Cole

Newsreader Natasha and Brendan were paired together during Strictly's first ever series back in 2004 - and were the first to experience the famous 'Strictly curse'.

While the dancing pro was engaged to Camilla Dallerup at the time, rumours of his relationship with Natasha soon begun to swirl.

Despite reports suggesting they were an item, both have always denied they took things further than friendship.

"I fell in love with dancing, but I did not fall in love with Brendan," Natasha insisted at the time.

However, Brendan later cryptically admitted they had "chemistry".

Kara Tointon and Artem Chigvintsev

EastEnders actress Kara met Artem on the show back in 2010, when they were paired up, and they went on to win the series before dating.

But after growing apart due to work schedules, the pair split after over three years together.

Kara is now engaged to her partner Marius Jensen, and the pair welcomed their baby son Frey in November 2018.

Seann Walsh and Katya Jones

Seann Walsh and Katya Jones on Strictly - It Takes Two (BBC)

While Seann and Katya didn't get together, they did hit the headlines after they were pictured kissing on a night out during the series in 2018.

Katya, married to fellow pro Neil Jones, and Seann, who had a girlfriend at the time, apologised for their actions, while the scandal stuck around for most of the series.

Katya and Neil are still together now having confirmed they were "fine" following the "one-off" mistake but Seann was dumped by his girlfriend Rebecca Humphries after a five-year relationship.

Strictly Come Dancing returns to BBC One in September

A version of this article appears at MirrorOnline

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