Strictly Come Dancing 2025 professional Julian Caillon has spoken out about the show’s so-called ‘curse’ as he and partner Balvinder Sopal prepare for the semi-finals
Kathryn Ingate Deputy Editor of Trendswatch
18:35, 13 Dec 2025
Balvinder Sopal and Julian Caillon (Image: PA)
One of Strictly Come Dancing’s newest professional dancers, Julian Caillon, aged 30, has opened up about the programme’s infamous ‘curse’, which generates endless speculation about contestants’ romantic entanglements each series.
The notorious ‘Strictly curse’ describes the phenomenon whereby taking part in the BBC programme – whether as a celebrity participant or professional dancer – can potentially jeopardise existing romantic relationships.
This ‘curse’ has been at the centre of Strictly discussions in recent years, with several professional dancers and celebrity contestants forming romantic connections after meeting on the programme, such as Gemma Atkinson with Gorka Marquez, and Joe Sugg with Dianne Buswell, who is now expecting the couple’s first child.
Australian dancer Julian, currently paired with EastEnders actress Balvinder Sopal, 47, revealed that the ‘curse’ has been discussed behind the scenes this year, though only in specific situations.
George Clarke and Julian Caillon have joked about the Strictly curse
Speaking on the Farmer Will and Jessie podcast, presented by Love Island personalities Will Young and Jessie Wynter, Julian, who proposed to his long-term partner Sofia Ochoa last year, discussed how he and fellow Strictly 2025 semi-finalist George Clarke, 26, have been joking about the ‘curse’.
When Jessie questioned him about the playful TikTok video the pair created, Julian joked: “Yeah, well it [the curse] strikes again! Unfortunately, George and I, you know, we’ve gone public.”
After sharing a laugh with Jessie and Will, Julian clarified the situation, saying: “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.
Balvinder Sopal and Julian Caillon on Strictly Come Dancing(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 responded: “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 his agreement: “You’re telling a story, aren’t you?”.
Julian acknowledged: “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.
Balvinder and Julian have impressed viewers with their performances(Image: BBC)
“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 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 is to secure a spot in next weekend’s grand finale.
They’ll be vying for the coveted spots against fellow semi-finalists George Clarke and Alexis Warr, Amber Davies and Nikita Kuzmin, as well as Karen Carney and Carlos Gu.
Strictly Come Dancing continues tonight at 6.35pm on BBC One and iPlayer.
