John Whaite reflects on Strictly ‘curse’ that saw him ‘fall in love’ with dancing pro

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. The so-called “Strictly curse” is based on the idea that participating on Strictly – whether as a celebrity or a professional dancer – threatens the status of the relationship you’re in when you sign up. “I fell in love with him,” Whaite told The Times in a new interview while promoting his new memoir, adding: “I can’t speak for him – because I’m not allowed to, legally – but it felt like there was love there.” Now, speaking about the revelation on Lorraine on Thursday, Whaite said: “What I have to say is how blooming great it is that the gays are getting embroiled in the Strictly scandal! So for me, this is a sign of progress.” He explained why he decided to share his experience, stating: “The reason I’ve spoken about that story and specifically with Johannes’s consent and my partner’s consent – I haven’t written anything that people didn’t want me to write – is to illustrate the point that, life is difficult.” Whaite continued: “We are fragile human beings and our hearts sometimes can be torn into two, and sometimes you have to take stock and just think to yourself, ‘Who am I, what my values, and how do I get back to that?’ And the point of the whole book is a story of love. He said: “If it would be tricky for Paul for me to be in contact with Johannes, then it’s a sacrifice that I have to make.” The most scandalous example of the Strictly curse occurred in 2018, when photographers captured comedian Seann Walsh kissing his dance partner Katya Jones, despite him being in a relationship with actor Rebecca Humphries.