JOHN Whaite has revealed that he almost fell victim to the so-called show “curse”.
The Great British Bake Off star opened up about “falling in love” with Johannes Radebe during their time on the BBC show.
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John Whaite has opened up about experiencing the “Strictly curse”Credit: Getty
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John and Johannes competed in Strictly together back in 2021Credit: PA
John, 34, competed with the South African dancer, 36, as part of the first-ever male same-sex pairing in 2021.
The duo reached the final but were beaten by Rose Ayling-Ellis and Giovanni Pernice.
Now, the presenter has revealed how he “still loves” Johannes and how he nearly became a victim of the “Strictly curse”.
John and his fiancé and partner of 15 years, Paul Atkins, “spent some time apart” after the show ended.
Opening up about what actually went down during his time on the show, he told The Times: “I fell in love with him [Johannes].
“I can’t speak for him – because I’m not allowed to, legally – but it felt like there was love there.
“We had such similar stories growing up – the homophobia, the bullying, coming out, coming to terms with our sexuality – as any queer kid would.”
He then stated: “I still love Johannes. Of course I do.”
John was honest about his feelings towards Johannes to his partner Paul which resulted in them agreeing on some “time apart”.
After the baker finished competing in the dance show, Paul moved back in with his parents and John said he “sat on the patio, drinking bottle after bottle of sauvignon blanc”.
The couple, who are now engaged, have managed to put the past behind them, with John telling The Times: “I look at Paul and what he’s put up with over the years and how he’s nurtured me and stood by me, and who would throw that away? I couldn’t.”
John said that he and Johannes still talk on the odd occasion but would cut all contact if it became “tricky” for Paul.
He added: “I love him to bits and I worship the ground he walks on, but I have to be mindful that there’s more than my own desires to consider here and if it would be tricky for Paul for me to be in contact with Johannes, then it’s a sacrifice that I have to make.”
The “Strictly curse” is a phenomenon that hits celebs and their dance partners during their time on the show.
Due to the long hours spent with their dance partners, their off-screen romances sometimes suffer as a result.
Over the course of 20 series of the BBC favourite, 14 couples have split up thanks to their time on the show.
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John has managed to rekindle his relationship with his fiance PaulCredit: Refer to Caption
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