Strictly Come Dancing contestant Peter Andre has dismissed any concerns about the “Curse of Strictly”, which has seen marriages and relationships ruined when celebrities fall for their professional dance partners.

The pop star, who wed Emily MacDonagh in July, said he wasn’t “at all worried” about the Curse, explaining: “We’ve only just got married, so hopefully we would never have to discuss that sort of thing.”

The 42-year-old added: “We have a lot of banter, she’s giving me grief already. Putting sparkles on my pillow in the morning, and she brought me toast the other morning with glitter.”

The “Curse” has supposedly blighted contestants’ relationships, with Countdown host Rachel Riley splitting from her husband to start a relationship with dance partner Pasha Kovalev; Susanna Reid separating from long-term partner Dominic Cotton weeks after finishing her stint on Strictly; and Joe Calzaghe confirming he was in a relationship with partner Kristina Rihanoff after splitting with his girlfriend.

Rachel Riley with dance partner Pasha Kovalev
Rachel Riley with dance partner Pasha Kovalev (Joe Giddens/PA)

BBC presenter Katie Derham confirmed her husband, restaurant boss John Vincent, was similarly unconcerned about the “Curse”.

“He’s a huge fan of the show, and we’ve both been along to support friends who’ve been in it before. He loves it. He thinks it’s brilliant,” she insisted.

“Obviously all his mates have been teasing him about it, clearly, because that’s what they do,” the 45-year-old added. “But I think he’s hoping he’s going to be able to learn a bit himself along the way, so that he doesn’t get left behind in the future when we take to the floor.”

Katie Derham
Katie Derham (Ian West/PA)

Ex-Coronation Street star Georgia May Foote, 24, who is dating former co-star Sean Ward, said her boyfriend had been “absolutely amazing” about it.

“He knows it’s something that’s going to be so exciting for me. It’d only be like getting another job and having to play a character in a relationship with somebody else. It’s acting, still. It’s nothing to worry about,” she explained.

Georgia May Foote
Georgia May Foote (Ian West/PA)

Strictly Come Dancing will air on BBC One on Saturday at 7.15pm.