and Published Jul 9, 2024, 2:46pm|Updated Jul 11, 2024, 8:18am
A Strictly Come Dancing star has split from their husband (Picture: PA)

A Strictly Come Dancing star has slammed the claim that his split from his husband after 7 years was down to the show’s so-called ‘curse’.

It was previously reported that professional dancer Ian Waite had separated from his husband Drew Merriman, seven years after the former couple tied the knot.

The 53-year-old performer married the airline pilot in 2017 in a ceremony attended by the BBC hit show’s judges Anton Du Beke and Craig Revel-Horwood.

A source close to the former couple said they ‘split awhile ago’.

‘They tried to work through their problems but sadly decided it was best to separate. They are still friends despite the breakdown of their marriage,’ the source told the Daily Mail.

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The publication reported that Ian’s ex is now in a relationship with a work colleague, Jon McMahon, who is a former winner of national modelling competitions Mr Liverpool North and Mr British Isles.

Ian Waite appeared on the first six seasons of the BBC dancing series (Picture: BBC)

In new comments, Ian has addressed the break-up, stating emphatically that it had nothing to do with the ‘Strictly curse’.

‘My split with Drew was nothing whatsoever to do with any so called Strictly “curse”, it was more about us having different outlooks on life and what relationships should be like, which meant we were not compatible,’ he told Metro.co.uk.

‘I wish Drew and his new partner all the best for the future.’

Drew recently shared a series of pictures of his new boyfriend with an emotional message to his Instagram page commemorating the end of Pride month.

‘I get to be me and do all this with the most incredible man by my side. It was just a normal day at work until it wasn’t,’ he began.

He married Drew Merriman in 2017, with the couple now reportedly separated (Picture: Ian Waite/ Instagram)

‘We started talking and everything just seemed to fall into place. You are the most incredible person I’ve met. You are there through everything I go through. 

‘We laugh together, we cry together, and I’m so lucky to call you my boyfriend.’

Alluding to the breakdown of his marriage he added: ‘After some of the most difficult years of my life you have made things make sense, and made me know what I want and where I want to be in this world.’

One of his celebrity partners on Strictly included Zoe Ball (Picture: BBC)

Ian appeared on Strictly for six years, between 2010, being paired with Denise Lewis, Zoe Ball, Mica Paris, Penny Lancaster-Stewart, Jodie Kidd and Jade Johnson.

He appeared in the eighth season of the show in 2010, but didn’t have a partner and instead appeared in the newly formed dance troupe, the Strictly Showdancers.

However he did appear on the Saturday night show again when partnering with Michelle Williams whilst Brendan Cole was unable to do so.

He appeared on the first season of the show with Denise Lewis (Picture: PA)

Last year he was cast on Dancing with the Stars Australia, where he was paired with actress Virginia Gay.

He is also currently filming another season of the show, which started airing last week.

Earlier this year Ian posted a video on social media sharing how going to Australia had helped him ‘reset’ and ‘change normal patterns’.

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‘Coming out to Australia has been a revelation, to work here and train here for a few months is the complete reset I need. Lots of exciting stuff to announce very soon!’ he wrote.

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