One Strictly professional has separated from his husband, sources claim.
Beloved BBC presenter Ian Waite – who appeared on the show from 2004 to 2010 – tied the knot with Drew Merriman back in 2017. Despite trying to work through their issues, Ian and Drew “sadly decided” to go their own ways after more than a decade together, the Mail reported.
An insider told the newspaper: “Ian and Drew split a while ago. They are still friends despite the breakdown of their marriage.”
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Since then, Drew is thought to have struck up a new relationship with John McMahon, a former winner of the hugely popular modelling contest Mr British Isles after they met through work. He shared snaps of the two love birds together on Instagram.
(Image: Instagram)
He captioned the post: “I get to be me, and do all of this with the most incredible man by my side.” Ian and Drew, who met in the summer of 2014, said ‘I do’ at Woburn Abbey in the heart of Bedfordshire seven years ago.
They exchanged their vows in front of many of their co-stars including Anton Du Beke, Craig Revel Horwood and Zoe Ball. But it appears the TV presenter has fallen victim to the Strictly curse.
The TV curse – a phrase that has been around for almost as long as the BBC One dance competition itself – refers to the number of people who have broken up after taking part on the show. One of its victims includes Jamie and Louise Redknapp, who split after she competed on the show.
(Image: @ianjwaite/Instagram)
Another celebrity who suffered from the infamous curse is Stacey Dooley, who left her boyfriend and struck up a relationship with her dance partner Kevin Clifton. YouTuber Joe Sugg and Dianne Buswell also became an item after the show, with her calling quits on her relationship just weeks into her rehearsals for the series.
During Ian’s six-year stint on the dance competition, he partnered up with Denise Lewis in 2004 followed by Zoe who made it all the way to the live final. The following year he teamed up with Mica Paris before he danced alongside Penny Lancaster and Jodie Kidd.
He also appeared on several Strictly live tours and became a permanent fixture on It Takes Two. The broadcaster regularly he critiques contestants’ performances with a large TV screen, similarly to that of a football analyst.
(Image: @dwaite89/Instagram)
The TV favourite announced his nuptials to Drew during the first episode of the BBC spin-off show back in 2017, after they tied the knot that summer. Last year, Ian joined the Aussie version of Strictly known as Dancing with the Stars.
He was partnered with actress Virginia Gay but unfortunately the pair were booted from the show during the semi-finals. Want all the biggest Showbiz and TV news straight to your inbox? Sign up for our free Daily Star Showbiz newsletter.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
