The happily married dancing stars taken on by the BBC to finally break the love curse of Strictly  

  • Since 2004 at least nine relationships ended during or soon after the show
  • But of the six new pros, four of them are either married or engaged 
  • One pro couple are even married to each other - Neil and Katya Jones  

By Laura Lambert

Published: 17:57 EST, 2 September 2016 | Updated: 19:47 EST, 2 September 2016

Since the show began in 2004, the 'Strictly curse' has seen several relationships come to an end as celebrities and professional dancers pair up romantically off screen.

As the new series starts tonight, however, it seems the BBC has taken steps to ensure such shenanigans don't happen again.

While the six new professionals on the dance floor may be as sexy and toned as their predecessors, four of them are either married or engaged.

From left to right: Ukrainian pro Oksana Platero is married to fellow dancer Jonathan Platero (not pictured). Gorka Marquez is engaged too - to dancer, actor and singer Lauren Sheridan. Chloe Hewett, 18, and AJ Pritchard, 21, the youngsters of the new pro intake, are the only single ones. On the right, Katya Jones and Neil Jones are married to each other

From left to right: Ukrainian pro Oksana Platero is married to fellow dancer Jonathan Platero (not pictured). Gorka Marquez is engaged too - to dancer, actor and singer Lauren Sheridan. Chloe Hewett, 18, and AJ Pritchard, 21, the youngsters of the new pro intake, are the only single ones. On the right, Katya Jones and Neil Jones are married to each other

Although marriages have by no means been a marker for stability on the series, Russian-born Katya Jones is joined on the show by her husband Neil Jones.

Meanwhile, fiery Ukrainian Oksana Platero is married to fellow dancer Jonathan Platero, and their wedding pictures are a prominent feature on their social media accounts.

And while Latin dancer Gorka Marquez might be thought of as the natural successor to last year's heart-throb Gleb Savchenko, he is engaged to fellow dancer, actor and singer Lauren Sheridan.

Meanwhile, fiery Ukrainian Oksana Platero is married to fellow dancer Jonathan Platero, and their wedding pictures are a prominent feature on their social media accounts

Meanwhile, fiery Ukrainian Oksana Platero is married to fellow dancer Jonathan Platero, and their wedding pictures are a prominent feature on their social media accounts

Rugby star Ben Cohen was married when he was partnered with Kristina Rihanoff. But now the pair are a couple off the dance floor too and have a baby daughter together 

Rugby star Ben Cohen was married when he was partnered with Kristina Rihanoff. But now the pair are a couple off the dance floor too and have a baby daughter together 

The only single dancers in the new crop are professional partners Chloe Hewitt, 18, and AJ Pritchard, 21.

However, the only celebrity of a similar age is Olympic gymnast Claudia Fragapane, 18 – whose father has apparently banned her from having a boyfriend until she is 25.

The so-called curse began with the first series, when newsreader Natasha Kaplinsky and her professional partner Brendan Cole were rumoured to have had an affair.

Although they both denied the rumours, Miss Kaplinsky's relationship with her long-term partner broke down and Cole split from fiancee Camilla Dallerup, also a professional on the show. 

Since then around eight relationships have ended during or soon after the show, including that of rugby star Ben Cohen, who left his wife of 11 years for his dance partner Kristina Rihanoff.

 
Ed balls says his family have banned him from wearing glittery outfits on Strictly so he'll look more like a waiter than a dancer

Ed balls says his family have banned him from wearing glittery outfits on Strictly so he'll look more like a waiter than a dancer

Ed Balls has said he will look like a waiter on this year's series because his family have banned him from wearing sequined and glittery outfits.

The former shadow chancellor said that his wife, MP Yvette Cooper, and children set a 'family veto' on sparkly clothes when he entered the show.

And it seems they haven't been complimentary about his dancing either, referring to him as a 'camp rugby player' after seeing footage of him in training.

Viewers will see Balls dressed in a classic suit rather than the tight-fitting, sheer tops most male contestants wear.

He said: 'When you see the first costumes everyone else is quite glamorous and I look like the guy serving drinks.'

He added: 'We got sent a film of last week's rehearsals and I showed it to the family and said, 'Do I look like a rugby player?' And they said I looked like a camp rugby player... I find rehearsing in front of them unconstructive!'  

STRICTLY 'AMATEURS' WHO ALREADY HAVE TWINKLE TOES

Hollyoaks actor Danny Mac starred in the West End musical Wicked for four years

Hollyoaks actor Danny Mac starred in the West End musical Wicked for four years

The inability of the celebrities to master complex dance moves is part of the Strictly fun. But this year’s 15-strong line-up appear to have something of a head start.

Almost half have received formal dance training or performed in professional productions. Among the ‘amateurs’ is Hollyoaks actor Danny Mac, 28, who starred in West End musical Wicked for four years.

The actor, who claims to have ‘the memory of a goldfish’ when it comes to remembering steps, attended the Arts Educational School in West London – where fellow contestant Will Young also trained. 

Singer Young, 37, has enjoyed an illustrious dancing career, gaining an Olivier Award nomination for his turn in the musical Cabaret.

Louise Redknapp trained at the renowned Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts and regularly showed off her moves as a member of pop band Eternal.

DJ Melvin Odoom once taught dance to children at after school classes, while US pop star Anastacia was formerly a backing dancer.

EastEnders actress Tameka Epsom was in the Madness musical Our House, and Lesley Joseph recently starred in a production of Annie – alongside Strictly judge Craig Revel Horwood.  

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