Ready to rumba... why Strictly’s love curse will strike again by host Tess
TESS DALY says the infamous Strictly Come Dancing curse is “inevitable” given the intimate environment contestants find themselves in.
Louise and Jamie Redknapp, Ben Cohen and Abby Blayney and Rachel Riley and Jamie Gilbert are all said to have fallen prey to the curse which has seen rock-solid relationships crumble amid the sambas and sequins.
As Strictly returns to our screens tonight, co-host Tess said everything was to play for when it came to romance on the dance floor.
“The infamous ‘Strictly Curse’ often takes the whole production cast by surprise and this year’s single celebs could easily fall for their stunning dance partners,” she said.
“When you are in an intimate environment with your partner for hours and hours a day, being pressed up against each other for hours each day can lead to the inevitable.”
Tess, 49, added: “Romance can and does blossom occasionally. So I will be keeping my eye out.”
Show insiders said the 15 celebrities who will fight it out in the 16th series of the show have been battling first night nerves, but were finally ready to strut their stuff.
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A Strictly insider said: “After months of preparation they are finally ready – it will be a show packed with drama and plenty of first-night nerves. We can’t wait!”
The stars competing include Steps’ Faye Tozer, Blue’s Lee Ryan, Casualty’s Charles Venn, fashion writer Susannah Constantine, TV presenter Katie Piper, ex-England cricketer Graeme Swann and former Pussycat Doll Ashley Roberts.
Capital FM breakfast show host Vick Hope and YouTube star Joe Sugg are thought to have been chosen with younger viewers in mind.
Newsreader Kate Silverton, Red Dwarf actor Danny John-Jules, presenters Dr Ranj Singh and Stacey Dooley, athlete Lauren Steadman and comedian Seann Walsh also compete.
In another move to attract younger viewers, Strictly is introducing “street dance” for the first time.
A Couple’s Choice category will let contestants choose from three modern dance styles and each week one couple will perform a contemporary, street/ commercial or theatre/jazz routine.
An insider said: “Audiences have loved it when new dance styles have been introduced and bosses wanted to give more options to the team.”
Tonight’s show will see Dr Ranj dancing the cha-cha-cha, with professional partner Janette Manrara to Whitney Houston’s How Will I Know.
He said: “This really has forced me to get my body to do what I need it to do.”
Silverton said her husband has sent her texts saying: “You looked really hot today babe”
He added: “I’m all for it! I reckon we’ll reverse the Strictly curse. It may even end up Strictly marriage magic!”
Roberts and Hope are the 3-1 jointfavourites to lift the Glitterball Trophy.
Meanwhile, Constantine is the 2-1 favourite to be the first contestant to be eliminated this year.
Strictly Come Dancing opens on BBC One at 6.15pm tonight.