News

Strictly curse strikes again as another star splits with partner

The romantic lives of the Strictly Come Dancing contestants are complicated!

The Curse of Strictly seems to have put paid to another relationship, with the news that Joanne Clifton has split from her boyfriend.

The professional dancer won the most recent series of the Beeb’s biggest show with sports presenter Ore Oduba.

But just weeks after lifting the glitterball trophy, the 33-year-old’s romance with boyfriend Joseph Edward-Bader is now said to be over.

Joanne, sister of fellow Strictly pro Kevin Clifton, had been dating the younger man since June, when they met while working together on a musical about Marilyn Monroe.

Handsome Joseph, 24, is the grandson of legendary comic entertainer Ronnie Corbett, and the couple were believed to jokily refer to themselves as “The Two Jos” in tribute to his granddad’s famous double act with Ronnie Barker.

But now – like so many other Strictly relationships before them – the pair are believed to have split.

A source told The Sun: “The relationship broke down and everyone’s in shock. She’s taken it really badly.

“It’s a real shame as Jo was really happy – especially after beating her brother Kevin in this year’s final.”

The reason for the split is not known, but there is not believed to be anyone else involved.

It’s just the latest in a long line of Strictly-related break-ups, starting right back with the very first series in 2004, when Natasha Kaplinsky and Brendan Cole got together, despite both being involved with other people.

Since then, many celebrities have found love on the show before later splitting up with their partners, including Kara Tointon, Matt Di Angelo, Joe Calzaghe and Georgia May Foote.

But several Strictly pairings are still going strong, including Rachel Riley and Pasha Kovalev, Jimi Mistry and Flavia Cacace, and Ben Cohen and Kristina Rihanoff.


Kaggie Hyland
Editor-in-Chief