Strictly curse babies – Rachel Riley's sweet arrival, health woes and pregnancy rumours

Strictly Come Dancing has seen its fair share of new and fledgling romances – thanks, in part, to the so-called Strictly curse.

From Seann Walsh’s snog with Katya Jones while both partners were still in relationships to rumours of romance between Giovanni Pernice and Rose Ayling-Ellis after she split from her boyfriend, there’s very little the curse hasn’t touched.

But some happy couples have even been lucky enough to welcome babies together after dancing with their partners on the BBC show.

READ MORE: Strictly Matt Goss’ life – saving fan’s life, Hollywood sibling and 20k flight for dog

From Stacey Dooley to Rachel Riley, we take a look at the Strictly curse babies so far…

Rachel Riley and Pasha Kovalev

Countdown star Rachel Riley shares two children with her former dance partner Pasha Kovalev – a two year old daughter Maven, and one-year-old Noa.

Sharing the happy news of her son’s arrival on social media, Rachel wrote: “We have some news…! Introducing Pasha’s newest dance partner – baby Noa was finally born, 15 days after her due date, late on Friday night to the sound of fireworks!

“She’s totally adorable and her big sister Maven has already tried welcoming her to the world by offering Oatly and pickles, we think that’s a good sign.”

Rachel explained that they welcomed Noa after she suffered a miscarriage, labelling him a “rainbow baby” as she thanked her home birth midwife for helping during the delivery.

Since then, Rachel has even introduced her daughter Maven to her Countdown pals.

But she insists she doesn’t want her babies referred to as a “curse”, as it’s “not right”.

If you have been affected by this story, advice and support can be found at Sands (stillbirth and neonatal death charity). You can call them on 0808 164 3332 or email helpline@sands.org.uk.

Stacey Dooley and Kevin Clifton

TV personality Stacey Dooley stormed to the finish line of Strictly Come Dancing back in 2018, going on to win the Glitterball trophy.

The loved-up pair announced that they are expecting their first child together in August this year, after Stacey opened up about her unhappiness at being childless aged 35.

Taking to Instagram to share the news, Stacey penned: “Gaaaaaaang….. We are having a baby!

“So bloody delighted. Kev, you’re magic, I love youuuu.

“(Was becoming impossible to hide and if one more person asks me if I’ve had my tits done in LA I’m gonna scream).”

She concluded: “Here goessssssss!”

The star has opened up about prioritising her home life on a BBC One documentary, explaining: “I’d like to prioritise happiness. My home life. For the last 15 years it’s been work, work, career, work, work and then your private life is on the back burner. I’m 35 so…”

Ola and James Jordan

Professional dancers Ola and James Jordan have appeared on Strictly for a number of years between them, with Ola remaining until 2015 and James leaving in 2013.

Dance partners outside of the BBC One show, the pair struck up a romance in real life and share a daughter, Ella, together.

But all hasn’t been plain sailing for the lovebirds, as in February 2022, Ella had to be rushed to hospital.

The baby girl was diagnosed with a heart murmur and suffered an allergic reaction which saw her lips swell up, and the worried parents found her unresponsive in her bed.

The pair have also spoken about having another baby after Ella was conceived through IVF, with Ola telling Hello! Magazine: “I would love to have another baby. We’re not thinking about another baby yet though.

“I’d love Ella to have a sibling – more for her than anything. She’s quite hard work at the moment, so I can’t imagine it but yeah, we would love to have more.”

Gemma Atkinson and Gorka Marquez

Former Emmerdale star Gemma Atkinson found love with her professional Strictly partner Gorka Marquez after they appeared on the show together, and the pair went on to welcome a daughter, Mia.

But the birth didn’t go completely to plan, as Mia weighed just over 4lb.

Sharing the story of her dramatic birth, Gemma told her fans alongside a snap of her cradling baby Mia: “This picture was taken when Mia was 30hrs old. The weary smile on my face doesn’t quite portray how happy I was inside as 30hrs earlier, things could have gone very differently.”

She added: “Mia was a tiny baby, 4lb 10. With that in mind the midwife was concerned she wouldn’t be strong enough to open my cervix. My water broke on a Tues & we gave her the benefit of the doubt but by the Wednesday evening despite her being in the perfect place & so low down, she still hadn’t managed it.”

Gemma went on: “The decision was made to induce me to help her along but she disliked that even more.

“With every contraction her heart rate dropped. On the 3rd one midwife Katie who was taking care of me at the time pressed the panic alarm & within 15 mins I was rushed out, prepped & delivered Mia via an emergency C section.

“It wasn’t what I’d planned but thanks to my hypnobirthing despite the madness & panic, I was able to calmly keep my breathing technique & accept whatever is best for Mia just do it!”

However, the pair are still hoping to have another baby despite the traumatic birth of their daughter.

Dianne Buswell and Joe Sugg

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Although Strictly pro Dianne Buswell hasn’t fallen pregnant yet, plenty of rumours have surrounded her relationship with celeb Joe Sugg – and the pair have often been giggly about the prospect of welcoming a child together.

The pair played around with a cheeky Instagram filter which predicted how many kids someone will have – with the app predicting Dianne and Joe will share five.

Dianne has previously revealed that she is “getting broody” after becoming an aunt twice in one week, but she was quick to address pregnancy rumours when they arose.

One Instagram user quizzed her: “My Google feed keeps coming up with you’re pregnant, so, are you?”

Dianne wrote back: “I have had this question a lot!

“The headlines make it sound like I am but I’m not.

“There is a lot of baby joy because we have two new beautiful nieces in the family.”

But she admitted: “I just love kids so much!”, confessing she was feeling “broody”.

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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk