The most scandalous Strictly Come Dancing affairs and marriage splits revealed

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Georgia May Foote and Sean Ward plagued by row rumours
Natasha Kaplinsky and Brendan Cole hit headlines during series one
Professional Kristina Rihanoff has dated Joe Calzaghe and Ben Cohen
Susanna Reid, Caroline Flack and Helen George saw relationships crumble

Published: 02:54 EST, 1 October 2015 | Updated: 09:08 EST, 1 October 2015

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Forget the glitzy outfits and fancy footwear - the thing about Strictly Come Dancing that really gets viewers talking is the apparent sexual chemistry between the professionals and their partners.

But, in some cases, the flirting, hand-holding and meaningful stares into each others eyes carry on even when the cameras stop rolling.

The hit BBC One reality programme has been described as 'cursed' because it has (seemingly) been the cause of many high-profile break-ups.

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Coronation Street actor Sean Ward hit back at rumours that he'd had a 'series of rows' with actress girlfriend Georgia May Foote after her dance routine involved her pecking her professional partner on the lips

Georgia May Foote shows off her fancy footwork on Strictly Come Dancing with partner Giovanni Pernice

Coronation Street actor Sean Ward had to hit back at rumours on Wednesday that he'd had a 'series of rows' with actress girlfriend Georgia May Foote after her dance routine involved her pecking her professional partner on the lips.

The 27-year-old told ITV's Lorraine: 'It's all rubbish. If I'm worried about a Jive what about the Pasodoble? I'm proud of her, they're going to change the game next week.

'I've seen it and what they're doing this weekend is absolutely beautiful. Top of the leaderboard.'

He also rubbished claims of a 'curse' adding: 'I think that curse of Strictly rubbish happens with sport personalities. I'm not saying that but you know, As actors we're used to it.'

Meanwhile, revealing what happens behind-the-scenes, Strictly professional Ola Jordan told Daily Mirror: 'It happens in the movies with actors and it happens on Strictly.

'It happens as people get close. It is the bond you have with your partner.'

See more of the latest Strictly Come Dancing rumours, news and video updates

Kristina Rihanoff and Ben Cohen, pictured left, and Natasha Kaplinsky and Brendan Cole, right, have all been seen as victims of the Strictly curse

While judge Craig Revel Horwood hinted that there's even more illicit behaviour going on than the public are aware of: 'There are always romances on Strictly. You just don't know about them.'

From the most scandalous affairs to shock marriage splits and jaw-dropping break-ups, FEMAIL looks back at the top dance floor dramas.

Series One: Natasha Kaplinsky and Brendan Cole

Strictly hit the headlines for all the wrong reasons during season one. Viewers were transfixed by the apparent close bond between newsreader Natasha Kaplinsky and her hunky partner Brendan Cole.

Although the pair went on to win the show, their success was blighted by affair rumours.

Natasha has always denied any wrongdoing, saying: 'There was chemistry, of course, and I certainly fell in love with dancing, but I did not fall in love with Brendan'

BBC presenter Natasha, 43, soon split from long-term partner Mike Barnard while Brendan, 39, dumped his fiancée and fellow dancer Camilla Dallerup.

Writing in her book Strictly Inspirational, 41-year-old Camilla said their split was like a 'mini death'.

'You go through the arc of grief, anger, bitterness,' she said. 'My best friend and dancing professionally with Brendan had both gone.

'That felt pretty scary. It seemed like everything I’d ever wanted and worked for had been removed, just like that.'

Brendan reportedly dumped his fiancée and fellow dancer Camilla Dallerup shortly after appearing on the first season of Strictly Come Dancing

However, Natasha has always denied any wrongdoing, saying: 'There was chemistry, of course, and I certainly fell in love with dancing, but I did not fall in love with Brendan.'

Series Five: Matt Di Angelo and Flavia Cacace

Of all the Strictly romances there's been over the years, this remains one of the most interesting.

Flavia Cacace, 35, was in a long-term relationship with her dance partner Vincent Simone when she was partnered with Matt Di Angela in 2007. He was eight years her junior.

Before long gossip was raging about how Flavia and Matt, then 19, were secretly in love. Shortly after the show finished she called time on her romance with Vincent, 36, and went public with Matt.

Before long gossip was raging about how Flavia Cacace and Matt Di Angelo, then 19, were secretly in love

Looking back at their partnership, Matt, now 28, told Daily Mail: ‘It was a pretty crazy time. It was front page news.

'The funny thing was the story did not start off as true, but the more you read it, the more you started to believe it and actually act on it.'

Their romance ended in 2010, and a few weeks later Flavia admitted she was dating her latest dance partner, actor Jimi Mistry, who she went on to marry.

Series Seven: Joe Calzaghe and Kristina Rihanoff

Former boxer Joe Calzaghe split with his girlfriend of five years Jo-Emma Larvin just a week into the show in 2009.

Former boxer Joe Calzaghe split with his girlfriend of five years Jo-Emma Larvin just a week into the show in 2009 and soon began dating Kristina Rihanoff

The 43-year-old sportsman began a relationship with Russian dancer Kristina Rihanoff, 38, soon afterwards.

The pair enjoyed a four-year romance but parted ways after Joe reportedly asked Kristina not to accept a role dancing in a stage production.

Speaking to Hello! Kristina said: 'He was sick and tired of waiting around for me, and said that if I truly loved him, I wouldn’t have taken the job in the West End.'

The pair enjoyed a four-year romance but parted ways after Joe reportedly asked Kristina not to take a job in the West End

Kristina is said to have also wanted children while Joe already has two sons from a previous relationship.

Series Eight: Kara Tointon and Artem Chigvintsev

Unfortunately for Kara Tointon and Artem Chigvintsev their relationship didn't manage to go the distance.

After winning the show in 2010 the pair hooked up, love quickly blossomed and they moved into a London home together.

After winning the show in 2010, Kara and Artem hooked up, love quickly blossomed and they moved into a London home together

Unfortunately for Kara Tointon and Artem Chigvintsev their relationship didn't manage to go the distance

However, it’s believed 33-year-old Russian Artem’s visa issues saw him having to spend time apart from Kara, 32, for months on end and they eventually decided to call it a day.

In July, Mr Selfridge actress Kara was linked to ITV presenter Matt Johnson after they'd been seen on a number of cinema dates together.

Series 11: Ben Cohen and Kristina Rihanoff

Kristina Rihanoff was recently forced to defend her romance with Strictly partner Ben Cohen insisting that their relationship only began once his 11 year marriage to wife Abby had come to an end.

Kristina Rihanoff was forced to defend her romance with Strictly partner Ben Cohen saying they only started dating once they were both single

'He left his wife a year ago,' she told Daily Mirror. 'Recently we started dating but we're allowed to see each other as two single people.'

Kristina – who has also dated Vincent Simone and ex partner Joe Calzaghe – said there have been other couples, yet she is the only one to be 'attacked'.

Despite the couple being plagued by rumours after their stint on the show, Kristina maintains she had no involvement in Ben's marriage breakdown with wife Abby.

She said: 'Ben's said it many times and I'll say it again - I wasn't involved in the breaking up of his marriage.'

Meanwhile Abby recently described the split and resultant divorce as 'the most traumatic thing to ever happen to me'.

Speaking last month, she said: 'My husband, who I was with for 23 years, unconditionally loved and was completely loyal to in every respect, has left me for a f***ing Russian dancer.

'He's done the dirty on me. I'm just trying to recover from what has been the most horrific time of my life.'

Ben, 37, met Abby in 1995 at the age of 17, and the couple married in 2003 before welcoming their daughters in 2008.

Series 11: Susanna Reid

Susanna Reid was billed as the most popular breakfast TV host and in a 15-year relationship when she reached the Strictly Come Dancing final,.

However shortly after the show ended, the 44-year-old TV host split from her long-term partner Dominic Cotton.

Shortly after the show ended, 44-year-old TV host Susanna Reid split from her long-term partner Dominic Cotton

However, mother-of-three Susanna, who was paired with professional Kevin Clifton, said the programme was not to blame for her love problems.

Good Morning Britain presenter Susanna told Daily Mirror: 'I think people think Strictly was bound up in what happened. It wasn’t. Obviously things have been challenging in my personal life but we are getting things sorted.

'We are still good friends and the kids come first. Strictly was, and will always be, an amazing sparkly ridiculous alternative reality planet I went on for a couple of months and I have great memories of it.'

Series 12: Sunetra Sarker

Actress Sunetra Sarker also announced her marriage split after starring on Strictly.

Actress Sunetra Sarker was also hit by the 'curse' of Strictly Come Dancing after suffering a failed relationship while appearing on the show

The 42-year-old parted ways with her husband Nick Corfield after ten years of marriage just before the programme hit the screens.

The couple first met in 1989 while on holiday in Jersey and have a 13-year-old son together.

However, she said the romance had ended long before her reality show stint: 'The truth is three years ago me and my husband amicably split up and it obviously had nothing to do with Strictly.'

The Casualty actress, who plays Dr Zoe Hanna in the BBC medical drama, is now said to be dating business partner Scott Carey, 42. Together, the pair set up the food firm Keep Me Fresh.

Their relationship came to light after Sunetra posted on Twitter: 'After the madness of last night, a calm sunny day in London with Scott #happybirthdayboyfriend.'

Series 12: Caroline Flack

Caroline Flack broke up with her boyfriend of a year and a half, Jack Street, after making her way into the Strictly Come Dancing semi-final.

According to The Sun, she was 'distraught' backstage at the BBC show, but managed to put on a brave face to wow with her Tango and top the leader board.

Caroline is the part of a long line of stars to be thwarted by the 'Strictly love curse', which has seen many a celebrity split over the years

A source close to the 35-year-old told the newspaper: 'It came to a natural end and was mutual.'

A Strictly insider added that 'backstage she was distraught' during filming of the latest episode.

Caroline is the part of a long line of stars to be thwarted by the 'Strictly love curse', which has seen many a celebrity split over the years.

Some contestants have ended relationships to engage in a romance with their dance partner on the show, but the source noted that in Caroline's case, this wasn't the reason.

'No one else is involved,' they stated.

Caroline Flack broke up with her boyfriend of a year and a half, Jack Street after making her way into the Strictly Come Dancing semi-final

Caroline had been seeing music manager Jack, 26, for around 18 months and she previously said that he was fine with her working on the talent show despite its reputation.

'Jack's been completely fine about the whole curse thing,' she said, quoted in The Mirror. 'He hasn't once been worried'.

Series 13: Helen George

It did not take long before the dreaded curse of Strictly struck again this year.

Actress Helen George, 31, announced her split from husband of three years, fellow actor Oliver Boot, after she was revealed as a contestant on the show.

Actress Helen George, 31, split from her husband of three years, fellow actor Oliver Boot, her representatives confirmed

'I can confirm that Helen separated from her husband some time ago,' a spokesperson for the star said. She has not been linked to any fellow Strictly contestants or professional dancers.

A Royal Academy Of Music graduate, Helen is best known for starring as Nurse Beatrix 'Trixie' Franklin in the hit BBC period drama Call The Midwife.

George has also performed as a back-up singer for Sir Elton John and starred in a musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber and David Zippel called The Woman In White.

She met her former partner on set of BBC drama Hotel Babylon, and the couple married in December 2012.