Former ‘Strictly’ contestant Simon Webbe reveals he asked for a single dance partner to avoid the ‘the curse’

Popstar Simon Webbe has revealed that he specifically requested a dance partner who wasn’t in a relationship before taking part in Strictly Come Dancing, as a way to avoid ‘the curse.'

In an new interview, the Blue singer told the Express that his experience on the popular BBC series in 2014 was one of the best “because there was none of this scandal.”

Read more: Darcey Bussell on why she stepped down as a ‘Strictly’ judge

The 41-year-old added: “I take my hat off to Strictly over the years but I just don’t know what it’s doing now, to be honest.

“I’ll tell you a secret,” Webbe continued. “What I did say when I was approached to do the show, I said, ‘Listen, I’m single at the minute.

“Please do not put me with a dancer who’s in a relationship because I do not want to be a part of a man that is breaking up a home. There’s just no way.’”

Webbe ended getting placed with Kristina Rihanoff, who was single at the time, and was a joint runner-up with The Saturdays’ Frankie Bridge. Caroline Flack was crowned the winner.

The ‘Strictly curse’ is a concept that fans of the show conjured up when a number of celebrity contestants starting ending their existing relationships to embark on a romance with their current dance partners or vice versa.

Read more: 'Strictly' star Kevin Clifton claims he's 'public enemy no. 1' because of Stacey Dooley romance

Some of the names that have ‘succumbed to the curse’ over the years include Rihanoff and ex-boxer Joe Calzaghe, EastEnders actor Matt Di Angelo and professional Flavia Cacace and Strictly’s Dianne Buswell, who announced she was dating Joe Sugg not long after she split from her boyfriend.

Last year’s winner Stacey Dooley, who broke up with personal trainer Sam Tucknott after three years together earlier this year, has just moved in with dancer Kevin Clifton.

Similarly, comedian Seann Walsh made headlines in 2018 when he was spotted kissing married Strictly partner Katya Jones on his long-term girlfriend Rebecca Humphries’ birthday. When the pictures went public, she dumped him via social media.