Ex-’Strictly Come Dancing’ star Gethin Jones has given his take on the show’s infamous curse, which has caused many relationships to break down.
In a new interview, Gethin - who was not in a relationship during his 2007 stint on the show - has admitted that he can understand why ‘Strictly’ puts a strain on the relationships of the celebrities taking part.
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Gethin - seen here with Flavia Cacace - starred in the series in 2007 and took part in the live tour in 2009
Shirlaine Forrest via Getty Images
During an episode of ‘BUILD’, he told The Huffington Post UK’s Ash Percival: “Yeah, if you’re spending eight hours a day literally in between someone’s inner thigh... You build up such a close relationship with your dance partner, and you are in a relationship.
“If you’re not dancing, you are talking about dancing, you’re talking about music, you’re eating together, you’re tired together, you’re excited together, and then you have this huge high on a Saturday night if you get through to the following week.
“It’s an easy place to fall for someone, if that makes sense,” he explained.
“It didn’t happen to me. I actually met a girl who was singing on the show - I like to be slightly different - but it does happen a lot.
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Gethin was talking on 'BUILD'
Build
“I know there’s been a little bit of heartache along the way, and not everything you read is true for sure, but going on there single and having that experience is pretty amazing.”
A number of celebrities have seen their relationships come to end either during or shortly after their ‘Strictly’ stints, and during the most recent series, Daisy Lowe split from her boyfriend.
Susanna Reid and her partner of 16 years, Dominic Cotton, also parted ways shortly after she appeared on the programme in 2013.
‘Strictly’ has also resulted in some hook-ups though, with Giovanni Pernice and Georgia May Foote shacking up together (though it didn’t last), while Rachel Riley and Pasha Kovalev are still going strong.
13 times the Strictly "curse" struck
Rachel Riley(01 of13)
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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.
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)
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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)
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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)
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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)
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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)
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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)
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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)
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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)
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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)
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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)
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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)
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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)