Strictly newbie Oksana Platero has spoken out about the infamous 'Strictly curse' and revealed her husband's relief after she was paired with Judge Rinder.
Strictly newbie Oksana Platero has revealed her husband’s relief after she was paired with gay TV star Judge Rinder.
The Ukrainian professional dancer made her Strictly debut last night after switching from US version Dancing With the Stars.
But she had already told hubby Jonathan — an American choreographer — about the BBC hit’s curse of destroying relationships and the infamous affairs between dancers.
In her first exclusive interview Oksana told The Sun: “I came across the curse on social media and it has been spoken about.”
Legal eagle Judge Rinder, 37, who is married, jokingly added: “The curse would have to be very, very powerful, but you never know.”
Last week former Strictly professional Flavia Cacace opened up about the Strictly curse after succumbing to it herself in 2007, when she became involved with her celebrity partner and former EastEnders star Matt Di Angelo.
Oksana, 27, said her dance partner and Jonathan have not met but “really like each other” after chatting on the phone.
She revealed there have been affairs on the US show, but it’s “not as legendary as Strictly”.
Oksana added: “Genuinely, when two professional dancers dance they look at it more like work.
"But when you have one professional and the other person who is not a dancer, for that person it feels a lot more intimate and special than for the professional.”
Oksana and TV judge Robert have been rehearing for six hours a day.
Oksana revealed he calls her “boginya” — Russian for goddess.
She said: “It’s important to have that discipline and respect towards the teacher. That way we will achieve more.”
Last night the pair performed an impressive Cha Cha to Duffy's 2008 hit 'Mercy' and received a respectable score of 25 points out of 40.
Len Goodman said Judge Rinder "put the boy in flamboyant" and Darcey Bussell said: “It was extraordinary – the wildest surprise I have ever had!”
Strictly continues tonight at 6:30pm on BBC1
