Zara opens up on how Strictly affected her relationship

Love Island star Zara McDermott opened up on how Strictly has affected her relationship with four-year boyfriend Sam Thompson.

Speaking to OK!, she said: “You have to put hours into training. You have to be really dedicated. Even when I get home, I’m watching my routine over and over again. Sam is amazing, I show him videos and he watches with me.

“I think relationships are not always balanced. Sometimes someone needs a bit more support, sometimes the other one does – that’s how I see relationships in general, to be honest. It’s all about communication. You only get to do Strictly once.”

Zara remains favourite to be dumped this weekend

Zara McDermott remains bookies’ favourite to be dumped from Strictly Come Dancing this weekend.

Zara has had a tough few weeks on the dance competition and it looks like punters think her journey is about to come to an end.

The Love Island star is currently odds on to be axed at 1/2.

Nicola McGeady of Ladbrokes said: “Zara McDermott will be in for a fright when she sees her odds for the Strictly axe this week. Despite her gruelling efforts to stay in the competition, we think Halloween week will be her last on the show.”

Strictly curse strikes

Ellie Simmonds has quietly split from her childhood sweetheart, months after wrapping on Strictly Come Dancing.

The Team GB legend, 28, has always kept her private life out of the spotlight but had been with Matt Dean for two years, having first met as toddlers.

He was front row to support Ellie when she took to the BBC dance floor last year.

But The Sun has learnt the couple, who lived together in Cheshire, separated as friends this summer.

A source said: “Ellie and Matt have sadly split but it was amicable on both sides and there remains a lot of love there.

“They preferred to keep their relationship out of the public eye and it was the same with the break up, but both are doing OK.”

Giovanni was ‘quite tough’ on Amanda ahead of exit

Giovanni Pernice was “quite tough” on Amanda Abbington ahead of her Strictly exit, insiders have said.

The Sherlock star reportedly “couldn’t cope” with Giovanni’s intense training methods.

Speaking of her exit, an insider told The Telegraph: “It could be that she didn’t know what she let herself in for.’

“From the very beginning they weren’t gelling. Obviously they were putting a brave face on it, but the issue was clearly not being solved.”

The source continued: “He was quite tough and she found that difficult. If she wasn’t very well, that wouldn’t have helped.

“She was with a partner that had a certain training style that she couldn’t cope with. Whether that came to a head or whether there’s something else going on I don’t know.”