Strictly pro Nadiya Bychkova insists the show’s curse helps put an end to bad relationships

‘Maybe it speeds up the result… which is not a bad thing’: Strictly Come Dancing pro Nadiya Bychkova insists the show’s notorious curse helps put an end to bad relationships

Strictly Come Dancing professional Nadiya Bychkova has put a unique spin on the show’s notorious curse by insisting it helps put an end to rocky relationships. 

The long-running show has developed an undesirable reputation for unravelling previously stable relationships, with more than a dozen celebrity contestants embarking on new romances with their respective dance partners during its 17 year history. 

But Ukrainian ballroom pro Nadiya, 31, insists it only speeds up the inevitable by delivering the final nail to romantic partnerships that are already faltering. 

Opening up: Strictly Come Dancing professional Nadiya Bychkova has put a unique spin on the show’s notorious curse by insisting it helps put an end to rocky relationships

She told The Mirror: ‘If the relationship is strong, it’s strong. If it’s not maybe it speeds up the result which is not a bad thing. It’s a TV show. It’s a big thing with the curses.

‘But those ­curses are everywhere, in ­offices and any kind of work but because it’s not on the TV, people don’t talk as much about it and it is what it is.’ 

The Strictly curse gained traction during the show’s inaugural series in 2004, with newsreader Natasha Kaplinsky getting close to professional dancer Brendan Cole while both were in separate relationships. 

Close: Nadiya insists she is fortunate that her fiancé, Slovenian footballer Matija Škarabot, doesn’t get jealous of her celebrity dance partners

More recently comedian Seann Walsh found himself in hot water after he was pictured kissing then-married dance partner Katya Jones during a boozy night out. 

The incident prompted further outrage after it transpired that the kiss took place on his girlfriend  Rebecca Humphries’ birthday. Humphries publicly ended her relationship with Walsh shortly afterwards. 

However Nadiya insists she is fortunate that her fiancé, Slovenian footballer Matija Škarabot, doesn’t get jealous of her celebrity dance partners – among them Blue lothario Lee Ryan and former England goalkeeper David James. 

Old times: Nadiya was pictured giving former England goalkeeper David James a kiss on the cheek after being partnered with him in 2019

Old times: Nadiya was pictured giving former England goalkeeper David James a kiss on the cheek after being partnered with him in 2019

Pals: The Ukrainian star also enjoyed a close relationship with Blue lothario Lee Ryan during their joint appearance on the show in 2018

Pals: The Ukrainian star also enjoyed a close relationship with Blue lothario Lee Ryan during their joint appearance on the show in 2018

She said: ‘I’m glad to have a partner that understands. I’m sure it’s not easy for any husband or wife or ­partners but it’s my work.’

Nadiya, a mother to young daughter Mila with full-back Matija,  also revealed she is keen to step away from Strictly at some point in order to have more children.  

She added: ‘I want to have 10 more children. I’m the only mum on Strictly. It’s not easy as a professional dancer but in general we make things work.

‘My child will always be the most important thing. She is happy, and she loves seeing me on Strictly and constantly tells me she wants to be like mummy.’