Curse of Strictly! Ballroom splitz

Mark and Vandana (right) split after Strictly

MARK RAMPRAKASH & KAREN HARDY

The snake-hipped cricketer was an instant hit with female viewers. Not least because of his family-man image. Who didn't smile as they watched Vandana, his wife of 14 years, and his two young daughters cheering him on? Unfortunately for Mark, 40, being watched by 12.7 million viewers brought a little too much scrutiny¿ Halfway through the series it emerged he'd been having an affair with single mother Sadia Saleem for six years. She revealed how they'd conducted a torrid fling in hotels across the country. The batsman said at the time: "I'm distraught at the grief I've caused my wife and family, whom I love very much." Mark moved out, but he and Vandana, 38, are believed to have patched things up. Mark and dance partner Karen Hardy went on to win the series in 2006.

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JOE CALZAGHE & JO-EMMA LARVIN

Former boxer Joe hadn't even swivelled his hips on the dance floor when he revealed he had separated from his partner of five years, model Jo-Emma Larvin, 28. The pair's relationship had hit a rocky patch, not helped by the news that the 37 year old had been partnered with dancer Kristina Rihanoff, 31 (left). But Joe and Jo-Emma are still close, and there are rumours of a reconciliation.

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VINCENT SIMONE & RACHEL STEVENS

There's no keeping an Italian love god down, and in 2008, Vincent was back with a vengeance. His dance routines with singer Rachel, 31, were so sizzling they had most of us yelling: "Get a room" at the telly. Well, apart from Rachel's fiancé Alex Bourne (left with the star). He reportedly had to be banned from rehearsals because his jealousy was getting in the way. Thankfully, Alex got over his touch of the green-eyed monster and married the pint-sized pop star last month. Vincent was a guest. We hope Alex got the first dance!

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FLAVIA CACACE & MATT DI ANGELO

All eyes were on sexy Italian dancer Flavia and ex-EastEnder Matt Di Angelo during series five in 2007. Their passionate rumbas and erotic tangos set the dance floor on fire, and eagle-eyed fans began to speculate on the nature of their relationship. Before we could say cha-cha-cha, Flavia, 30, had dumped her boyfriend of 11 years, fellow Strictly dancer Vincent Simone, and foxtrotted off with Matt, 22. They're still together.

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VINCENT SIMONE & KRISTINA RIHANOFF

Vincent didn't limit his steamy routines to the dance floor when he partnered Kristina on last year's Strictly live tour. The Italian stallion did the 'horizontal tango' with the petite Russian even though his girlfriend, 36-year-old air hostess Susan Duddy, was pregnant. Vincent and Susan briefly split, then reconciled and last month Susan gave birth to a baby boy, William. She claims her life was "ruined" by Vincent's infidelity. Old romantic Vincent dismissed the affair saying: "These things happen." Yes, mainly to you, Vincent.

Camilla dumped Brendan (right)

BRENDAN COLE & NATASHA KAPLINSKY

When the Kiwi Romeo met newsreader Natasha, 36, in the first series of Strictly back in 2004, sparks flew. Convinced they were having an affair, 35-year-old Brendan's then fiancée, fellow professional dancer Camilla Dallerup, 33, was so humiliated, she dumped him.

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BRENDAN COLE & CLAIRE KING

Claire King thought she'd escape unscathed when she partnered Brendan Cole in 2006. He made it clear he didn't fancy the 46-year-old former Emmerdale actress, and the feeling was mutual. Sadly, the 'curse' still struck as Claire's toyboy fiancé John Robson, now 38, became jealous of Brendan. Once the couple were voted off in week eight, Claire's three-year relationship with John ended shortly after.

Natalie with boyfriend Adam Cottrell (right)

VINCENT SIMONE & NATALIE CASSIDY

Yes, him again! The pair, who will dance together in this series, were recently snapped sharing a kiss in the street just 10 days after Vincent became a dad. However, Vincent has vehemently denied anything is going on with former EastEnder Natalie, 26, saying: "All she did was give me a quick peck because she'd enjoyed her first day. The audience will see we have an amazing brother-and-sister relationship. She has her own boyfriend and she's so in love with him." Watch this space... We will be!

WORDS: KATHRYN KNIGHT, CLAIE WILSON PHOTOGRAPHY: PLANET PHOTOS, WENN, BBC, ALPHA, LANDMARK MEDIA, REX, NOBLE/DRAPER, SCOPE FEATURES, MATRIX

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