Strictly Come Dancing: The professionals and their sizzling romances

Curse? What curse?! The infamous "Strictly Curse" may have hit various stars over the years, but there are a number of dancers who have managed to not only avoid splitting up from their partners while dancing night after night on the BBC dance extravaganza, they've managed to make their relationships flourish.

Kevin and Karen Clifton

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Kevin and Karen Clifton tied the knot in July last year

Kevin and Karen Clifton are now established as one of Strictly Come Dancing's most popular dance couples. The dancing professionals, who have been partnered up with Louise Redknapp and Will Young this year respectively, tied the knot in July last year after falling in love during the production of a Broadway show in 2009.

Speaking recently to HELLO!, Kevin opened up about how competing on the hit BBC1 series was nothing compared to the nerves he felt on the day itself. "Dancing in front of millions of people is way easier than that," he frankly admitted, before adding: "I've never seen anything more beautiful in my life. Karen looked absolutely stunning."

Karen confessed she was surprisingly stress-free during the big day, saying: "When I was getting ready, I said to my make-up artist, 'Is it weird that I'm so calm?' She said the best thing ever, 'You're so calm because you've made the right choice.' And it made me think, 'I have nothing to worry about because I'm going to marry the person I've been in love with since the day we met.'"

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The SCD couple fell in love during the production of a Broadway show in 2009

In 2009, Venezuelan beauty Karen joined the original Broadway cast of Burn The Floor at Longacre Theatre as a female dancer, where Kevin was a principal dancer. During an interview with Weekend Magazine, the 34-year-old star revealed how he charmed Karen by teaching her the choreography.

"I was showing off for all I was worth," he confessed. "Not that Karen remembers any of it. I thought she was out of my league, to be honest." But it seems it was Karen, who made the first move. "I knew it was down to me," she added. "And I then told him really early on when we were dating that I was going to marry him."

Aljaz Skorjanec and Janette Manrara

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Aljaz Skorjanec and Janette Manrara have been together for five years

Relatively new to the Strictly dancefloor, Aljaz Skorjanec and Janette Manrara have quick become firm favourites among viewers. The professionals, who have been together for five years, became engaged last year after Aljaz popped the question with a gorgeous ring in a London restaurant.

Slovenia-born Aljaz recently revealed that the "Strictly Curse" doesn't bother the pair as there is no "jealously" between the pair. "We were together when we joined the show," he told Daily Mail. "We don't get jealous of each other's bond with celebrity partners because we understand that dancing can be emotional, but we also know how well suited and in love we are."

Both dancers have impressive credentials. Aljaz is a 19-time national champion in Ballroom, Latin and Ten Dance, while Janette has previously worked on the US show So You Think You Can Dance, and has danced at the Oscars, on Glee and with Jennifer Lopez.

Prior to her romance with Aljaz, Janette dated fellow Strictly professionals Pasha Kovalev and Artem Chigvintsev. In a 2013 interview, she admitted both relationships were very brief. "Pasha and I dated for about a month, we went for a few dinners, and Artem and I dated even less. He's (Artem) a beautiful guy and we went out a few times, but we realised we were better as friends. They're all good looking guys, so I guess I could pat myself on the back!"

Ola and James Jordan

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Ola and James Jordan recently celebrated their 13-year wedding anniversary

They recently celebrated their 13-year wedding anniversary, and it seems Ola and James Jordan are stronger than ever. The professional dancers, who have both left the BBC competition, often take to their social media sites to gush about one another and share loved-up snaps.

"Coming out of Strictly means I still want to enjoy my time with James," Ola told The Mirror. "I'm at that age now where people expect you to be pregnant or have a child."

"We've been together 17 years and married for 13," she added. "It's a long time. We're best friends and we like spending time together. Even though we work together, we spend all of our free time together too. Even at the end of every day we go to the gym together and work out. We're always laughing and joking. We take the mickey out of each other all the time. We also have date nights and talk a lot together. We still have that excited feeling."

James first noticed Ola at the Open International Competitions for the Under 21's. It was during a six-month break from dancing that the TV star decided to move to Poland to try working with Ola. Within a few weeks, the blonde beauty decide to relocate to England to become dance partners.

Meanwhile, Ola, 34, announced her decision to leave Strictly last year, following in the footsteps of James, 38, who quit in 2014 after eight years on the show.

Darren Bennett and Lilia Kopylova

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Darren Bennett and Lilia Kopylova have been married for nearly 18 years

Former Strictly champions Darren Bennett and Lilia Kopylova are one of the most successful male and female professionals in the history of BBC show, having starred in six series and winning seven trophies between them. The couple, who have been married for nearly 18 years, are parents to their little girl Valentina Rose – who turns two in February.

After leaving Strictly in 2009, Darren and Lilia as known for working on spin-off shows across the globe. Lilia, 38, became head judge on the Turkish version Yok Böyle Dans and Darren, 39, as head judge on the Lebanese version.

Opening up about life away from the dancefloor, Darren previously told The Guardian: "Still, after 12 years of dancing together, we've cracked a policy about work: as soon as the shoes come off, we leave the studio and go for dinner."

He added: "People often ask what it's like being married to your dance partner. Well, you get home at night and, because you've both experienced the same things all day, you've got nothing to talk about ... That's one of the great things about Strictly Come Dancing, because Lilia will go off for the day and see to her celebrity while I see to mine, and then we sit down in the evening and can actually ask, 'What have you done today, dear?'"