Shirley Ballas says the ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ curse is understandable.
The new judge – who is taking over from the departing Len Goodman on the BBC One show – admitted she understands how intense romantic relationships can build between the dancers and their partners on the show.
Speaking about the ‘Strictly’ curse, which has seen some contestants fall for their dance partners, told The Sun: "If you’re locked up in a room and you’re coming out in your little sensual clothing and men are baring chests and you’re there every week and you have to do romance, it’s difficult not to have chemistry.
"I mean we need chemistry on the show. Who’s to say who falls in love with who?"
However, she insisted that not every relationship breakdown throughout the course of the show is ‘Strictly’s fault, adding that there could have been trouble already.
She said: "I understand life. I wouldn’t say particularly it’s down to ‘Strictly’. Maybe they were having problems before. It depends doesn’t it? We’re not inside those doors to tell or to judge really."
Shirley is excited to join the show and insisted she has no plans to upset contestants with her critiques.
She said: "I’m not there for destroying souls – that’s not who I am.
I certainly won’t be giving a one or a two.
"But I’m going to take it from an honest point of view of what I see.
"You don’t want too much pink ice cream – that will make you sick, you understand?
"So I’m not going to sit there all, ‘you’re so lovely you’re lovely you’re lovely’ if it’s not really improving; it’s got to improve."
Shirley Ballas: ‘Strictly curse is understandable’
