BBC One’s Strictly Come Dancing is a dance competition show that pairs celebrities with professional dancers, competing in various styles of dance each week. While the show is primarily known for its impressive dance routines, it's not uncommon for a romance to blossom between contestants. Here, we have compiled couples who fell in love when they partnered together in this dancing competition.
Known as the first couple to win Strictly in 2004, Brendan Cole and Natasha Kaplinsky's chemistry on the dance floor quickly turned into a romance off-screen. However, they kept their relationship quiet and remained close friends despite their breakup.
In 2009, former soap opera “Hollyoaks” actress Ali Bastian and her Strictly partner Brian Fortuna fell in love at first sight. Their romance ended up after a year.
The boxer Joe Calzaghe met the professional dancer Kristina Rihanoff on Strictly in 2009 when they were paired as dance partners. The couple began dating soon after the show ended and lived a memorable four years of romance.
The Rugbyman Ben Cohen met the choreographer Kristina Rihanoff when they were partnered together in the 2013 series of Strictly show. The couple went public with their romantic relationship in 2015 and they are now happily married and have a daughter together.
Actress Kara Tointon appeared on the 2010 season of Strictly and fell in love with her dance partner Artem Chigvintsev. Their romantic love lasted four years.
The Countdown presenter Rachel Riley was paired with the dancer Pasha Kovalev on Strictly in 2013. The couple began dating in 2016 and they now have a daughter together.
The couple met on Strictly Come Dancing in 2018 when they were paired as dance partners. After the show, the YouTuber Joe Sugg confirmed their relationship and they are still together now.
Radio presenter Gemma Atkinson and professional dancer Gorka Marquez met on Strictly in 2017 when they were both contestants on the show. The couple announced their engagement in 2021, and they now have a daughter together.
The Coronation Street star Georgia May Foote joined the show in 2015 and appeared to be close to her dance partner Giovanni Pernice. They began dating after the show ended.
The Jordansmet on Strictly in 2000 when they were both professional dancers on the show. The couple has been together for 23 years and has a three-year-old daughter called Ella.
The Wanted singer Max George and former “EastEnders” actress Maisie Smith participated in Strictly Come Dancing in the 2020 series. The pair made their relationship official with Instagram posts.
The Pussycat Doll singer Ashley Roberts met the professional dancer Giovanni Pernice on Strictly Come Dancing in 2018 when she competed alongside him. They confirmed their relationship in 2019.
Very discreet about their relationship, the journalist and TV presenter Stacey Dooley and dancer Kevin Clifton met on the set of Strictly Come Dancing in 2018. The duo was expecting a child together in 2022.
The television presenters Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford met on the Strictly Come Dancing show. The couple tied the knot in 2010 at Elvetham Hall, Hampshire.
The former England footballer Peter Crouch and Abbey Clancy were partnered together during the Strictly 2013 series and the chemistry was obvious from the start. The pair got married on 26 June 2010 and have four children together.
Their fairytale began in the Strictly Come Dancing show as both are professional dancers. Aljaz Skorjanec and Janette Manrara tied the knot in 2017 and organised three wedding ceremonies in London, Florida, and Slovenia.
Former Chelsea defender Wayne Bridge and singer Frankie Sandford met in 2010, and they married in July 2014. Though they didn’t meet on Strictly, Wayne Bridge‘s wife Frankie Bridge participated in the Strictly Come Dancing 2014 series and she was partnered up with dancer Kevin Clifton.
Contestants during the 2017 series on Strictly, the British professional dancer Kai Widdringtonand Ukrainian dancer Nadiya Bychkovamet when he was a backing dancer and she was paired with actor Davood Ghadami. Their relationship is going from strength to strength and they reveal they see marriage and children in their future.
The actor Jimi Mistry and choreographer Flavia Cacace met on the Strictly 2010 series when they were paired as dance partners. The couple began dating soon after the show ended, and they are now married.
