There have been more than a few dissenting voices when it comes to this year’s Strictly Come Dancing line-up, with some viewers clearly uninspired by the celebs who’ll be pulling on their dancing shoes.
But, according to reports, BBC bosses have had their work cut out in attracting big names, because so many are terrified of falling foul of the notorious Strictly “curse”.
A number of celebs who’ve appeared on the show have broken up with their long-term partners shortly after.
Most recently, just months after dancing on the show, Louise Redknapp split from her husband, footballer Jamie Redknapp, after 18 years of marriage.
And The Sun claims that other big names are afraid to suffer the same fate.
“The curse is real and it contributed to the breakdown of one of the strongest couples in showbiz,” the newspaper quoted a source as saying. “No one wants to end up in the same boat.”
Referring to this year’s show – due to begin in September – the source added: “It’s a dire line-up and everyone knows it. Some of them are bound to only last weeks, as no one has ever heard of them.”
Read more: Ninth Strictly Come Dancing contestant revealed
The Redknapps aren’t the only ones who’s been stricken by the Strictly curse.
After appearing in the 2013 series, England rugby star Ben Cohen left his wife of 13 years to move in with his dance partner Kristina Rihanoff. The pair now have a daughter together.
And pro dancer Brendan Cole split from his fiancée after reportedly partnering with newsreader Natasha Kaplinsky in the first series.
She later denied claims that she’d had an affair with the dancer, saying: “I certainly fell in love with dancing, but I did not fall in love with Brendan.”
So far, the names who’ve signed up for the 15th series include JLS singer Aston Merrygold, TV presenter Simon Rimmer, Saturdays star Mollie King and This Morning host Ruth Langsford.
Not a bad line-up – but some people clearly aren’t impressed with what’s in store.
Read more: Louise Redknapp has some very exciting comeback plans in the pipeline
Speaking after the first two contestants – Saturdays star Mollie King and EastEnders actor Davood Ghadami – had been revealed, one fan tweeted: “I thought the point of #Strictly was the contestants were famous… two absolute nobodies so far.”
A second mocked the announcement that comedian Susan Calman would be taking part, saying: “Yet another 3rd rate useless so-called celeb.”
And a third wrote: “I thought last year’s #Strictly line-up was their strongest yet. This year (so far) is the opposite.”
Let’s just wait and see – we reckon it could still be a cracking series.