DO THE SPLITS: WHEN THE CURSE HAS STRUCK…

Series 1: Natasha Kaplinsky and Brendan Cole

Strictly hit the headlines for all the wrong reasons in season one, thanks to the tension between the newsreader and her Kiwi partner. Although the pair went on to win, their success was blighted by affair rumours. Kaplinsky soon split from long-term partner Mike Barnard while Brendan dumped his fiancée and fellow dancer Camilla Dallerup. However, the presenter has always denied any wrongdoing: “There was chemistry, of course, and I certainly fell in love with dancing, but I did not fall in love with Brendan.”

Series 5: Matt Di Angelo and Flavia Cacace Flavia Cacace was in a long-term relationship with her dance partner Vincent Simone when she was partnered with Matt Di Angelo – seven years her junior – in 2007. Shortly after the show finished, the pair went public. Their romance ended in 2010, and a few weeks later Flavia admitted she was dating her latest dance partner, actor Jimi Mistry, whom she went on to marry.

Series 7: Joe Calzaghe and Kristina Rihanoff Former boxer Joe Calzaghe split up with his girlfriend of five years just a week into the show in 2009, and began a relationship with Russian dancer Kristina Rihanoff soon afterwards. The pair were together for four years.

Series 8: Kara Tointon and Artem Chigvintsev After winning the show in 2010 (and kissing in full view of the camera in the final), the pair got together, even moving in together in London before parting four years later.

Series 11: Ben Cohen and Kristina Rihanoff Kristina has protested that there have been other couples who have got together as a result of Strictly.

“I wasn’t involved in the breaking up of his marriage,” she protested.

Series 11: Rachel Riley and Pasha Kovalev

Countdown’s maths whizz Rachel Riley has always claimed her relationship with partner Pasha Kovalev began after the show – and her marriage – ended. The pair have been together since 2014.