BBC Strictly star splits from partner during stint on show

Former Strictly Come Dancing star Tom Dean is reported to have ended his relationship with Charlotte Phillips during his brief time on the show.

The 24-year-old Olympic swimmer is believed to have amicably split from Charlotte just two weeks into the latest series, with sources saying their romance had "naturally run its course" and insisting that the break-up was not related to the BBC programme, reports the Mirror.

It has been emphasised that Tom's dance partner on the show, Nadiya Bychkova, 35, who herself recently became single after parting ways with Kai Widdrington, 29, played no role in the split. Tom and Nadiya were the first couple to be eliminated from this year's Strictly on September 29.

An insider informed the Daily Mail: "Like in so many break-ups, Tom and Lottie's year-long relationship had naturally run its course and it has nothing to do with Strictly, it just happened to be in the first two weeks that they decided to part ways."

They continued: "They are still good friends and it's all amicable between them."

Tom has notably not mentioned Charlotte on social media for some time. However, he has kept followers in the loop about his ongoing friendship with Nadiya post-Strictly.

The pair, who left the competition early, were seen together at the Pride of Britain Awards, joining other participants and professional dancers from the recent series.

At the prestigious annual awards ceremony, Nadiya opened up about her split from fellow Strictly Come Dancing star Kai. The pair started their romance in 2022 while both were part of the hit dance show, but earlier this year it was confirmed they had gone their separate ways.

Speaking to the Mirror at last month's event, when probed about the break-up and their current relationship status, she remarked: "We work together but we are not friends and that's OK. One thing I can tell you is that when you see me dancing with him it will be amazing because I'm a professional."

During his stint on Strictly, Tom dazzled audiences with a tango and a cha-cha-cha before being eliminated from the competition. He and Nadiya faced the first dance-off of the season, which they lost to Toyah Willcox, aged 66, and her 42-year-old dance partner Neil Jones.

Neil and Toyah were then voted off the following weekend. After his departure, Tom expressed his disappointment, labelling the exit a "genuine shock" and stating there was "nothing more" he could have done.

Reflecting on his time on the show, Tom shared his thoughts in an Instagram post: "The journey may have ended a little earlier than I hoped and of course I am so gutted, but I'm so grateful for all the amazing people I met, people I'll be cheering on throughout and who I know will continue to smash it. And to my brilliant partner [Nadiya], thank you so much for everything. You've been an amazing teacher and to have danced alongside you has been an absolute privilege. Over and out Strictly! You've been an absolute blast."