Newly-wed Peter Andre unfazed by 'the curse' of Strictly Come Dancing

Strictly Come Dancing contestant Peter Andre has dismissed any concerns about the "curse of Strictly", which has seen marriages and relationships ruined when celebrities fall for their professional dance partners.

The pop star, who wed Emily MacDonagh in July, said he was not "at all worried" about the curse, explaining: "We've only just got married, so hopefully we would never have to discuss that sort of thing."

The 42-year-old added: "We have a lot of banter, she's giving me grief already. Putting sparkles on my pillow in the morning, and she brought me toast the other morning with glitter."

The curse has supposedly blighted contestants' relationships, with Countdown host Rachel Riley splitting from her husband to start a relationship with dance partner Pasha Kovalev; Susanna Reid separating from partner Dominic Cotton weeks after finishing her stint on Strictly; and Joe Calzaghe confirming he was in a relationship with partner Kristina Rihanoff after splitting with his girlfriend.

BBC presenter Katie Derham confirmed her husband, restaurant boss John Vincent, was similarly unconcerned about the curse. "He's a huge fan of the show, and we've both been along to support friends who've been in it before. He loves it. He thinks it's brilliant.

"Obviously all his mates have been teasing him about it, clearly, because that's what they do," the 45-year-old added. "But I think he's hoping he's going to be able to learn a bit himself along the way, so that he doesn't get left behind in the future when we take to the floor."

'It's acting, still.'

Ex-Coronation Street star Georgia May Foote, 24, who is dating former co-star Sean Ward, said her boyfriend had been "absolutely amazing" about it.

"He knows it's something that's going to be so exciting for me. It'd only be like getting another job and having to play a character in a relationship with somebody else. It's acting, still. It's nothing to worry about," she explained.

EastEnders actress Kellie Bright said her on-screen husband, Danny Dyer, was more concerned and "jealous" about her signing up for Strictly than her husband, Paul Stocker.

"I've suffered more about that from Danny than I have from my real husband," she explained, adding: "Danny is terrified for me. He's very supportive, incredibly supportive - and a little bit jealous."

Meanwhile, the contestants are having their first experience of the Strictly glamour - and sports commentator Iwan Thomas has insisted: "I'm the campest straight bloke you've ever had on Strictly."

The 41-year-old Olympic medallist, who has tried out his first Strictly costume, said: "With my outfit, I keep saying: More glitter! Tighter! Even my first show outfit is very tight and quite revealing. I love it.

"I hope I'm allowed to go topless. I've asked. Week one it's a bit tight, week two the zip will be coming down, week three it'll be off. If I'm here for week three."

BBC Weather host Carol Kirkwood was more nervous about baring the flesh - particularly her legs.

"It's the skimpy outfits that concern me most," she explained, "Because I don't have the best figure in the world, and I'm really self-conscious about my legs, so having to get them out - this is why I wish I'd dieted and exercised from January."

:: Strictly Come Dancing will air on BBC One on Saturday, September 5 at 7.15pm.