Telly judge Craig Revel Horwood reckons there might be a new Strictly ‘curse’ affecting contestants this series.
He addressed concerns about an emerging pattern tied into celebrities’ fortunes on the show in an interview with Best magazine.
Craig, 56, also had advice for those dance partnerships still in the Strictly Come Dancing competition on how to avoid falling to the ‘curse’.
But will it strike again in 2021?
Craig Revel Horwood addresses new Strictly ‘curse’
The Strictly mainstay admitted he could understand why chatter about the new ‘curse’ has come about.
The ‘curse’ most familiar to Strictly fans concerns how the series puts pressure on – and might even lead to the end of – participants’ relationships.
Read more: Strictly star Adam Peaty reveals secret injury before being booted off
However, the most recent speculation is apparently connected to departures from the show, and similarities in circumstances behind them.
Craig said: “I do get why people are talking about Strictly’s new ‘curse’ – celebs getting voted off having missed a week.”
When has the new Strictly ‘curse’ struck and who has it affected?
According to Craig, there have been two partnerships hit by the new ‘curse’ this series so far.
He continued: “We had it happen to Ugo Monye after his back injury, Judi Love after testing positive for Covid.”
Rugby player Ugo was the fourth celeb knocked out of this year’s series. He missed the previous week’s performance due to an issue with his back.
I do get why people are talking about Strictly’s new ‘curse’.
Judi meanwhile was ill with coronavirus the weekend before she came back to immediately fall in a dance off against Adam Peaty.
However, Craig has a simple solution to contestants who wish to avoid being booted off the week after they may miss time on the show.
He advised: “I say, don’t miss a week if you can avoid it! As they say in showbiz, don’t go offstage – there’s always someone else in the wings, waiting to take your place.”
Recent Strictly ‘curse’ rumours
‘Curse’ speculation earlier in the 2021 run saw tabloids try to link Tilly Ramsay and pro partner Nikita Kuzmin.
Another 2021 contestant went out of his way to dismiss any such connection. Ugo and his wife, who split just days before the current series began, indicated they decided to go public with their relationship status to avoid being labelled as being hit by the Strictly ‘curse’.
Read more: Strictly star Dan Walker hits back as fans question how he’s still on show
He said at the time: “We weren’t in a volatile relationship, we never hated each other and there was no third party. Forget the Strictly curse – it’s the COVID curse! We ended up where we ended up.”
Strictly Come Dancing continues on Saturday November 13 on BBC One at 6.40pm.
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