I’m A Celebrity star puts Strictly Come Dancing on blast over ‘curse’
Tony Bellew doesn’t want to take the risk on Strictly (Picture: ITV/Shutterstock)
Former I’m A Celebrity star Tony Bellew has taken a scathing shot at Strictly Come Dancing.
The 41-year-old retired boxer, who was the runner-up last year on the ITV reality show, has insisted a stint on the ballroom floor would be a very different prospect to the Australian jungle.
Tony has been married to wife Rachael since 2018, and he appeared to reference the Strictly Curse when asked if he’d ever go on the show.
Speaking to Express.co.uk, he quipped: ‘No, I don’t think Strictly is for me. I’m planning on staying married.’
Over the years, the so-called curse has seen some relationships become strained, with celebrity contestants and pros sometimes finding a romantic spark.
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Tony’s I’m A Celebrity stint was the first time he and Rachael had been apart for a lengthy period in 22 years, and he’s not willing to take any risks on Strictly.
Tony was the runner-up as Sam Thompson won I’m a Celebrity last year (Picture : James Gourley/ITV/Shutterstock)
Not everyone thinks the show is to blame for any breakups, with judge Revel Horwood insisting it’s actually a sign of something deeper.
He previously told the newspaper: ‘I don’t think it’s a curse or anything to do with Strictly.
‘I think it’s just about, if people were to split up, their marriage must’ve been on the rocks anyway, for anything else to occur.
Craig Revel Horwood doesn’t believe in the Strictly Curse (Picture: Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock)
‘If people are happy in their relationship, they very rarely go off with someone else.’
However, former Strictly pro James Jordan – who has been married to fellow dancer Ola Jordan for 20 years – has pointed out how close the pairs are from the very first day of rehearsals.
‘You’re very close, aren’t you? Day one, you come in and you’re literally rubbing up on each other, groin to groin,’ he told The Sun. ‘You just met them and you’re rubbing your crown jewels up against them.’
James Jordan thinks the romance makes sense (Picture: PA)
He noted while ‘it’s normal’ for dancers, anyone coming from the outside world may be caught off guard by the intimacy.
He added: ‘You’re so close to each other, dancing sexy, and there’s nice music and you’re training with each other for eight hours a day, so if there is a little bit of chemistry, something’s going to happen.’
Still, James shrugged off the idea of an actual ‘curse’, insisting that sparks flying in rehearsals is the same as any other workplace romances.
‘It’s no different to any office in London or wherever, where John’s copping off with Sue around the corner,’ he added. ‘It happens in all walks of life. It just so happens that Strictly is on TV, so people are digging to find more.’
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