The 20th anniversary of Strictly Come Dancing is in full swing, bringing hours of entertainment to millions of viewers in its staple Saturday night slot.
Every year, in addition to the dances, outfits and judges’ feedback, it’s the infamous ‘Strictly curse’ and budding romances developing off the dance floor that many fans can’t help but focus their attention on.
With the undeniable chemistry and flirting between Strictly 2024's Pete Wicks and his partner Jowita Pryzstal, tongues have already started wagging, as one viewer predicted, ‘They are going to fall in love and live happily ever after’.
Another posed that Pete and Jowita are destined to follow the same path as professional dancer Dianne Buswell and YouTuber Joe Sugg, who finished as runners-up on Strictly in 2018 and then began dating.
Quoting Joe’s post shared on the 2018 final, which read, ‘I may not have won the Glitterball, but I’ve won something a million times more special’, one X user wrote, ‘Pete and Jowita after Strictly’.
But as the Pete and Jowita romance rumour mill continues to churn, a Strictly insider tells Closer that for the cast members in relationships, some of their other halves are frustrated that their aspiring twinkle-toed partners are too tired to have sex.
The source says, ‘Most of the celebs have told their partners behind the scenes that they can’t muster the energy for any bedroom antics after a busy week of rehearsals. There is also a belief from professional dancers that you dance better and give a better performance if you’re not having sex, as it helps channel the tension and drive.
‘But as you can imagine, sexual tension is the last thing the partners want. The focus this year seems to be very driven on perfecting the dance – so even if the stars wanted to [have sex], they can only muster a cuddle when they get home before they pass out asleep.’
This year’s cast includes Tasha Ghouri, the girlfriend of Love Island co-star Andrew Le Page; Sam Quek, whose husband is property entrepreneur Thomas Mairs; JLS singer JB Gill, who is married to backing dancer Chloe Tangney, and Shayne Ward, who has been engaged to former Hollyoaks actress Sophie Austin since 2017.
And now, the insider goes on to say that while some stars have put intimacy on the back burner, others have experienced an increase in stamina with the rigorous training.
'One of the Strictly WAGS confided that her partner – despite crawling in on all fours after rehearsals – is friskier than ever after a one-hour soak in the bath,’ the insider shares.
‘On the other hand, one is standing his ground and refuses sex before a performance as it keeps him on his A-game.
‘Some of the celebs are getting quite frustrated learning the new routines and there have been some tantrums. But they’re all desperate to win so everyone’s putting their best foot forward!’