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Strictly Come Dancing’s Balvinder Sopal and Julian Caillon(Image: BBC)

One of Strictly Come Dancing’s newest professional dancers, Julian Caillon, 30, has opened up about the programme’s infamous “curse,” which fuels endless speculation over contestants’ romantic entanglements each series.

The notorious “Strictly curse” refers to the idea that taking part in the BBC show—whether as a celebrity or professional dancer—can put existing relationships at risk.

It has been a hot topic in recent years, as various professionals and celebrities have formed relationships after meeting on the programme, including Gemma Atkinson and Gorka Marquez, and Joe Sugg and Dianne Buswell, who are expecting their first child together.

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Australian dancer Julian, paired with EastEnders actress Balvinder Sopal, 47, revealed that the curse has been mentioned behind the scenes this year, though only under certain circumstances.

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Balvinder Sopal and Julian Caillon on Strictly Come Dancing(Image: BBC)

Appearing on the Farmer Will and Jessie podcast, hosted by Love Island stars Will Young and Jessie Wynter, Julian—who became engaged to long-term partner Sofia Ochoa last year—discussed joking about the curse with fellow 2025 semi-finalist George Clarke, 26, reports the Mirror.

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When Jessie asked about their playful TikTok video referencing the curse, Julian joked: “Yeah, well it [the curse] strikes again! Unfortunately, George and I, you know, we’ve gone public.”

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Balvinder and Julian(Image: BBC)

After some light-hearted banter, Julian clarified: “I’ve only been on the show for the one year, so I can’t speak to what’s happened in the past, but yeah, I just think I’m just here to work, do my thing, focus on the dancing, get Bal to be as great as she can be.

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“But I think in general, whether it’s the Strictly curse, or whether it’s anything else, I think you only make it a big deal if you kind of ignore it.

“So, people like to talk about it, it’s there, we don’t focus on it at all. It doesn’t really ever get brought up, unless it’s in a joke, you know, on set or anything like that.

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Balvinder Sopal & Julian Caillon(Image: PA)

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“We kind of just carry on, do our thing, and I go home to my loving fiancée every day, and that’s it.”

Jessie added: “At the end of the day, you guys are both there to work and I feel as though, with dance, it is very performative, it is made to look romantic, you’re made to feel those emotions. I think the Strictly curse is just taking it a bit too far,” with Will adding: “You’re telling a story, aren’t you?”

Julian agreed: “Yeah, it’s just acting, really. I mean, you know, it’s no different than if you’re in a movie and you’re playing a role. At the end of the day, it’s acting.

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George Clarke and Julian Caillon couldn’t keep their hands off each other

“But I guess people see it… it’s obviously reality television and you’re also spending a lot of time with that person, but yeah, we’re here to try and bring some joy to the people at home.”

This Saturday night, Balvinder and Julian are set to perform two routines in a bid to secure a place in next weekend’s grand finale of Strictly 2025. They will dance a Waltz to Michael Bublé’s “At This Moment” and a Salsa to Gloria Estefan’s “Rhythm Is Gonna Get You/Get On Your Feet.”

They will compete for a spot in the final against fellow semi-finalists George Clarke and Alexis Warr, Amber Davies and Nikita Kuzmin, and Karen Carney and Carlos Gu.