Craig Revel Horwood Says He Can't Wait For The Return Of The 'Strictly Curse'

Last year's Covid restrictions seemed to put paid to romance blossoming on the BBC ballroom show.

Strictly Come Dancing judge Craig Revel Horwood has admitted he is looking forward to the return of the so-called “Strictly curse” this year. 

During its 17 years on the air, the BBC ballroom show has repeatedly been at the centre of headlines about blossoming romances between celebrity contestants and their professional partners.

However, because many of these stars were already in relationships – or even marriages – before signing up, the media regularly refers to the “Strictly curse”.

Speaking to The Mirror, Craig said he always “looks forward” to seeing stars of the show getting together romantically, and said last year’s Covid restrictions “put a dampener” on the “curse”. 

Open Image Modal
Craig Revel Horwood
Dave J Hogan via Getty Images

“I look forward to the curse every year because I never think of it as a curse, I always considered that a blessing,” he said. 

“It’s better meeting someone at work isn’t it? Someone you are dancing with and getting to know and fall in love.

“Rather that than a dating app. That’s how everyone has to meet these days.”

Last year, Craig predicted that the bubble system that was introduced for the contestants and their celebrity partners could actually lead to more stars coupling up. 

However, there weren’t any relationships that blossomed out of the series – at least that viewers know about.

Strictly is set to return to our screens later this year, although two regular professionals will not be returning to the dance floor.

13 times the Strictly "curse" struck
Rachel Riley(01 of13)
Open Image Modal
The Countdown presenter announced her split from her husband just weeks after her stint on the show. In 2014, she and pro dancer Pasha Kovalev confirmed they were dating, though she remained insistent that Strictly had nothing to do with her marriage split.

Rachel and Pasha later tied the knot and now have two children together, with the TV personality recently trying to distance herself from Strictly's so-called "curse".
(credit:Joe Giddens/PA Archive)
Susanna Reid(02 of13)
Open Image Modal
Susanna's marriage ended in February 2014, weeks after she finished as a runner-up in the competition. The Good Morning Britain anchor continued to live with her ex, Dominic Cotton, and their two sons in the months that followed. (credit:Ian West/PA Archive)
Louise Redknapp(03 of13)
Open Image Modal
After reaching the final of the 2016 series, Louise began to be plagued with rumours her 19-year marriage to former footballer Jamie Redknapp was on the rocks. Months later, the couple confirmed they had gone their separate ways. (credit:Doug Peters/EMPICS Entertainment)
Joe Calzaghe(04 of13)
Open Image Modal
Boxer Joe and pro dancer Kristina Rihanoff initally denied romance rumours when they were paired together in 2009. However Joe split from his girlfriend just weeks later. Joe and Kristina later confirmed that they were a couple, before splitting after four years together. (credit:Mark Cuthbert via Getty Images)
Ben Cohen(05 of13)
Open Image Modal
While on the show, Ben denied rumours that he was romancing his pro partner Kristina, and later split from his wife Abby. He and Kristina went on to confirm their relationship but remained insistent it had only begun after the breakdown of his marriage. The couple now have a child together. (credit:Steve Thorne via Getty Images)
Matt Di Angelo(06 of13)
Open Image Modal
The EastEnders star reportedly first hooked up with Flavia Cacace during their time dancing together on the 2008 series – on which Flavia's then-boyfriend Vincent Simone was also a dancer. However, they weren't together for long... (credit:Jon Furniss via Getty Images)
Jimi Mistry(07 of13)
Open Image Modal
Just a year after getting together with Matt, Flavia ended the relationship after finding love with her new dance partner Jimi. The couple married in 2013. (credit:Dave Hogan via Getty Images)
Natasha Kaplinsky (08 of13)
Open Image Modal
Newsreader Natasha and Brendan were plagued by romance rumours when they were paired up for the first ever series of Strictly in 2004. Despite being insistent that they were just friends, Natasha and Brendan both split from their partners shortly after winning the series. (credit:MJ Kim via Getty Images)
Daisy Lowe(09 of13)
Open Image Modal
Daisy split from her boyfriend Bradley "Frankie" Wade during her stint on Strictly in 2016. The relationship was still quite new and the pair struggled to find the time to see each other with her commitments to the show. (credit:PA Archive/PA Images)
Sunetra Sarker(10 of13)
Open Image Modal
Sunetra split from her husband of 10 years just before filming for the 2014 series began. (credit:Eamonn M. McCormack via Getty Images)
Dani Harmer (11 of13)
Open Image Modal
Tracey Beaker star Dani split from her boyfriend just days after filming began in 2012. (credit:John Phillips via Getty Images)
Helen George(12 of13)
Open Image Modal
Just after Helen announced she was one of the 2015 contestants, the Call The Midwife actor revealed she was splitting from her husband of four years, Oliver Boot. (credit:Doug Peters/EMPICS Entertainment)
Georgia May Foote(13 of13)
Open Image Modal
Georgia entered Strictly while in a relationship with former Coronation Street co-star Sean Ward. However, just after the series ended, the couple announced their split, and it wasn't long before she embarked on a relationship with dance partner Giovanni Pernice. They eventually broke up after less than a year together. (credit:Ian West/PA Archive)