Strictly Come Dancing has had its fair share of controversies in the past 22 years - from accusations it is fixed to scandalous relationships blossoming from the competition.
The BBC Saturday night show, which has been on screens since 2004, has borne what is called the ‘strictly curse’.
The ‘curse’ refers to the trend of celebrities and professional dancers drastically upheaving their personal lives after or during the show.
It seems the show causes rifts to explode in off-screen relationships causing them to break up, and for new ones to grow between dancer and celebrity.
The intense schedules, passionate dances and physical closeness can affect off-screen relationships and encourage new ones, the numbers seem to show.
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The Mirror has gathered some of the most controversial and scandalous events to come out of the popular dance competition.
Stacey Dooley and Kevin Clifton
After winning the Glitterball in 2018, journalist Stacey Dooley, 35, split from her long-term boyfriend of five years, Sam Tucknott, just months after the show finished.
Four months later, in April 2019, Stacey and Kevin Clifton, 39, went public as a couple and are still together to this day.
Kevin was previously married to fellow professional dancer Karen, but they split in March 2018 and remain friendly.
Flavia Cacace
During the 2007 series, dancer Flavia Cacace, 42, reportedly dumped her long-term dance partner and boyfriend of eight years, Vincent Simone, 43, for EastEnders actor Matt Di Angelo, 35.
There must have been a lot of awkwardness backstage during the season. However, Matt and Flavia eventually split in 2010.
The Italian dancer went on to marry actor and chef Jimi Mistry in 2013, who were partners in 2010 during the eighth season.
Louise and Jamie Redknapp
Just months after competing in Strictly in 2016, with partner Kevin Clifton, Louise, 47, and Jamie Redknapp, 48, announced their shocking split.
After 19 years of being together and two children, the couple split in 2017.
Although there was no new relationship emerging from the show, the ‘Strictly curse’ seemed to deteriorate a long-term relationship.
Katya Jones and Seann Walsh
These partners made headlines across the country when they were pictured kissing in the streets of London.
Katya Jones, 33, was married to fellow dancer Neil Jones, 40, and 36 year old comedian Seann Walsh was dating actress Rebecca Humphries, 34.
Although they both apologised and said it was a “drunken mistake”, Seann was publicly dumped by Rebecca on social media and Katya and Neil parted ways in 2019.
Katya tweeted an apology: “I’m so sorry about any offence or hurt I may have caused with my actions.
“I wasn’t thinking and it was a one-off mistake after some drinks.
“I love my husband and we are very happy together, this is not a reflection on our relationship.”
Georgia May Foote, Sean Ward and Giovanni Pernice
Coronation Street actress Georgia May Foote, 31, was dating fellow Corrie co-star Sean Ward, 34, when she entered the dance competition in 2015.
Shortly after competition ended, Georgia and Sean split, and she began dating her Italian dance partner Giovanni Pernice, 31.
They split before series 14 - blaming busy work schedules and wanting to focus on upcoming work projects.
Rachel Riley and Pasha Kovalev
The countdown presenter Rachel Riley, 36, announced that she was splitting from hubby of just 15 months while competing in the show in 2013.
A year later, she was dating her Strictly partner Pasha Kovalev, 42, and they insisted there was no overlap.
Rachel and Pasha are now married and with two children, Maven, 2, and six month old Noa.
Rachel has since accused the producers of ‘fixing’ the show, telling The Sunday Times Magazine that they “know from the start who they want to win” and that “they can obviously fix the scores”.
A BBC spokeswoman said: "This claim is categorically untrue.
“The BBC has strict procedures and editorial guidelines in place regarding impartiality and Strictly upholds all of these."
Joe Calzaghe and Kristina Rihanoff
Just one week into his time on Strictly in 2009, Welsh professional boxer Joe Calzaghe, 50, left his girlfriend of five years, Jo-Emma Larvin.
He then formed a relationship with his partner Kristina Rihanoff, 44, for four years after this before they split in 2013 due to their busy work schedules.
Ben Cohen and Kristina Rihanoff
Kristina went on to date another partner, professional rugby player Ben Cohen, 43.
Ben split from his wife of eleven years after his stint on the show in 2013, but denied he had any romance with his partner Kristina.
Years later, in 2015, they were papped together on holiday and welcomed their first child called Milena in 2016.
