Strictly legend shuts down show 'curse' after shock marriage split
Former Strictly Come Dancing pro Ian Waite has split from his husband, Drew Merriman whom he married in 2017.
Strictly Come Dancing icon Ian Waite has blamed "incompatibility" rather than the show's "curse" for his recent marriage split. The 53-year-old dancer married airline pilot, Drew Merriman, back in 2017 but the pair have reportedly parted ways.
Their wedding ceremony was a glitzy affair attended by the BBC show’s judges Anton Du Beke and Craig Revel-Horwood. When news of the spilt broke it was speculated that the Strictly "curse" had struck again.
This refers to dancers and celebrities who take part in the competition and end up parting ways with their other halves. However, it is usually only used in relation to current cast members and Ian hasn't appeared in the show since 2010.
Ian has also rubbished the idea that any sort of "curse" was at play. “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.
"I wish Drew and his new partner all the best for the future,” he told The Mirror. He is referring to the fact that Drew already appears to have moved on and recently branded another man his "boyfriend" on his Instagram account.
He also penned an emotional message to mark 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 gushed.
"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."
"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," he concluded.
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Ian became a fan favourite during his six years on Strictly Come Dancing.
During his time on the programme he was paired with Denise Lewis, Zoe Ball, Mica Paris, Penny Lancaster-Stewart, Jodie Kidd and Jade Johnson.
Although he appeared in the eighth season of the show in 2010, he wasn't partnered with a celebrity.
However, he did get one outing with a celeb that year when he partnered with Michelle Williams whilst Brendan Cole was unable to do so.
