A Strictly pro says the show’s famous “curse” is not such a bad thing – as it can kill off rocky relationships.
More than a dozen couples have split after romances between celebrities and their professional dancing partners on the BBC1 show.
But no-nonsense Nadiya Bychkova said: “If the relationship is strong, it’s strong.
"If it’s not maybe it speeds up the result which is not a bad thing.
“It’s a TV show. It’s a big thing with the curses.
"But those curses are everywhere, in offices and any kind of work but because it’s not on the TV, people don’t talk as much about it and it is what it is.”
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The Strictly “curse” first struck in the 2004 debut series when winner Natasha Kaplinksy got close to Brendan Cole.
The newsreader was in a relationship with management consultant Mike Barnard and he with fellow Strictly pro Camilla Dallerup.
In 2018 comic Seann Walsh was snapped snogging dancer Katya Jones and both split from their partners.
Two years ago Ukrainian Nadiya, 31, shared steamy dancefloor moves with celebrity partner and ex-England goalkeeper David James, now 50.
But she said her fiancé and the father of their four-year-old daughter Mila, Slovenian footballer Matija Skarabot, 33, is not jealous.
She said: “I’m glad to have a partner that understands.
"I’m sure it’s not easy for any husband or wife or partners but it’s my work.”
Explaining why couples grow close so quickly, she said: “When you are on the dancefloor it’s about female and male energy and dancing together.
"It’s when you rehearse for so much time and you get on well you become really good friends.”
The double world dance champion said it was love at first sight with Matija and they would like to have a far bigger family.
Nadiya said: “I want to have 10 more children.
"I’m the only mum on Strictly. It’s not easy as a professional dancer but in general we make things work.
“My child will always be the most important thing.
"She is happy, and she loves seeing me on Strictly and constantly tells me she wants to be like mummy.
"She wants to dance on Strictly so hopefully it will be still on when she is older.”
The couple have delayed their wedding because of Covid.
Instead, Nadiya is rehearsing with other Strictly pros, such as Aljaz Skorjanec and Pasha Kovalev, for the Here Come the Boys shows at the London Palladium from May 25.
Nadiya does not know if she will be back with a partner on Strictly this year: “Hopefully… but we don’t know if it’s going to be a full run.”
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