Strictly Come Dancing bosses are reportedly struggling to attract big names to sign up to this year’s series.
According to The Sun, stars have been put off the series because of the infamous show curse – the supposed jinx that has seen a number of showbiz couples come unstuck after one of the partners appeared on the BBC programme.
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A source told the publication: “Strictly has always been a massive draw in the past, but it hasn’t been as easy this year.
“They’ve asked loads of top names, but with people like Louise Redknapp and Ben Cohen in mind, many in relationships are saying no.
“Bosses are obviously hoping to bring in some bigger names, but they need everyone signed by the end of this month.”
However, a rep for Strictly has told ED! that the reports are “total nonsense”.
Numerous celebrity dancers have seen their relationships crumble after appearing on the BBC favourite.
Pop star Louise split from her husband of almost two decades Jamie last year, following her stint on the show in 2016.
Rugby star Ben dumped his childhood sweetheart wife Abby in 2014 and took up romantically with his partner Kristina Rihanoff.
Ben and Abby finalised their divorce in 2016 and Ben now has a daughter with Kristina.
Meanwhile, pro female dancer Flavia Cacace left her partner Vincent Simone – who also worked on the show – for her celeb pairing Matt Di Angelo in 2007.
In 2013 Countdown’s Rachel Riley got together with her Strictly partner Pasha Kovalev, following the breakdown of her marriage after she appeared on the show.
And following the 2015 series, Georgia May Foote split with her fellow former Corrie star beau Sean Ward and shimmied into the arms of her dance partner Giovanni Pernice.
The sixteenth series of the show is set to return this autumn but the judges and celebrity contestants have yet to be revealed.
Famous faces rumoured to be doing the show include TV presenter Scarlett Moffatt, singer Rick Astley, actor Ross Kemp, former Corrie actress Catherine Tyldesley and telly presenter Les Dennis.
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Pro dancers Aljaž Škorjanec, Amy Dowden, Dianna Buswell, Kevin Clifton, Janette Manrara, Gorka Marquez, Karen Clifton, Katya Jones, Pasha Kovalev, Oti Mabuse, Nadiya Bychkova, Anton Du Beke, AJ Pritchard, Neil Jones and Giovanni Pernice are all set to return.
Joining them will be three new professional dancers – Italian Latin champion Graziano Di Prima, South African Latin champion Johannes Radebe and four-time winner of the Italian Dance Championship Luba Mushtuk.
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