Strictly Come Dancing professional Julian Caillon has joked about the show’s so-called ‘curse’ during a podcast appearance
Kathryn Ingate Deputy Editor of Trendswatch
19:35, 13 Dec 2025
(Image: BBC)
One of Strictly Come Dancing’s newest professional dancers, Julian Caillon, 30, has opened up about the show’s infamous “curse,” which sparks annual relationship rumours among contestants.
The notorious “Strictly curse” refers to how participation in the BBC show—whether as a celebrity or professional—can sometimes put existing romantic relationships under strain.
The phenomenon has dominated discussions in recent years, as various professionals and celebrities have formed relationships after connecting on the programme, including Gemma Atkinson and Gorka Marquez, as well as Joe Sugg and Dianne Buswell, who are expecting their first child.
Australian dancer Julian, currently partnered with EastEnders actress Balvinder Sopal, 47, revealed that the curse has been a topic of backstage chatter this series, though only in jest.
George Clarke and Julian Caillon couldn’t keep their hands off each other
Speaking on the Farmer Will and Jessie podcast, hosted by Love Island personalities Will Young and Jessie Wynter, Julian—who became engaged to longtime partner Sofia Ochoa last year—shared how he joked about the curse with fellow 2025 semi-finalist George Clarke, 26, reports the Mirror.
When Jessie asked about their playful TikTok video referencing the curse, Julian quipped: “Yeah, well it [the curse] strikes again! Unfortunately, George and I, you know, we’ve gone public.”
After laughing with the hosts, 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.
“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.
(Image: BBC)
“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.
“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 commenting: “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.
“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.”
(Image: PA)
This Saturday night, Balvinder and Julian are set to dazzle with two routines: 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.
Their aim? To secure a spot in next weekend’s grand finale of Strictly 2025.
They will be competing against fellow semi-finalists George Clarke and Alexis Warr, Amber Davies and Nikita Kuzmin, and Karen Carney and Carlos Gu.
