Strictly Come Dancing star's heartbreaking family admission ahead of secret split during show

Strictly Come Dancing 2024 star Tom Dean has reportedly fallen victim to the so-called show curse, following his split from girlfriend Charlotte after a year together.

The alleged break-up is said to have happened quietly while he was still a part of the BBC series earlier this year with his dance partner Nadiya Bychkova.

A source told MailOnline: "Like in so many breakups, 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."

The insider added that the pair remain "good friends" and all is "amicable between them".

Back in July in a joint interview with Tom, 24, and his mum Jacquie Hughes, she opened up about her own heartbreaking split from Tom's father when the swimmer was just 13.

"It felt like somebody had put a bomb under our lives when my marriage suddenly ended a few years later," she told The Times.

"Tom was 13 and he just cycled off when I told him. We had no idea where he went that day.

"The break-up could have been so destructive to the family, but we have too much positive energy in our household."

From then on, Jacqui said Tom threw himself into his career which has since resulted in three Olympic champion wins.

Speaking further about her son, she added: "He will argue the toss for fun. All five of my children are very opinionated."

Tom's mum was his biggest support through his short-lived stint on Strictly earlier this year, where fans got to see a different side to him.

Despite his best efforts on the dance floor however, the swimmer was voted the first contestant out of the competition.

Ahead of the new series returning, it was also announced that Nadiya had also split from her boyfriend, fellow Strictly Come Dancing professional Kai Widdrington.

Breaking her silence on their break-up last month, she told The Mirror: "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."