Long before Strictly Come Dancing became engulfed in its biggest scandal to date, another kind of “curse” was already quietly unfolding behind the scenes — one that involved secret love, whispered fears, and a relationship both stars believed could destroy everything.
For the very first time, the full truth can now be revealed about what really happened between Louise Redknapp and notorious Strictly heart-throb Kevin Clifton — including who said “I love you”, and why both were terrified their romance would be “catastrophic” if exposed.
Following Louise’s highly publicised split from footballer husband Jamie Redknapp in 2017 — nine months after she and Kevin stormed to the Strictly final — the pair began seeing each other in total secrecy. According to friends, their connection quickly deepened from flirty chemistry into something far more intense.
Insiders say they genuinely believed they were “destined” to be together — and even exchanged declarations of love. But with fractured marriages, public scrutiny and BBC politics looming over them, their “intense” feelings were kept hidden from friends, family… and especially show bosses.
“They knew if it came out, it could ruin everything,” a source reveals.
At the time, Louise was desperate to avoid becoming the face of a Strictly Curse scandal, while Kevin feared being branded a “home-wrecker” — particularly as he was still married to fellow professional dancer Karen Hauer during their series.
Meanwhile, Louise and Jamie were still seen as one of Britain’s golden couples. Any hint of overlap, even unfounded, would have been devastating.
Still, despite every warning sign, insiders say a relationship between Louise and Kevin felt inevitable.
Their electric chemistry helped drive them to runner-up status in 2016, and the experience reignited Louise’s confidence after years away from pop stardom while raising her sons. After the series, she joined the Strictly Live Tour and embraced a second youth — partying, socialising, and rediscovering herself.
By September 2017, her divorce from Jamie was officially announced. Around the same time, Kevin’s marriage to Karen also began to crumble — pulling him back into Louise’s orbit.
In December the following year, just two days after Kevin lifted the Glitterball trophy with Stacey Dooley, Louise made a secret trip to his hometown of Grimsby. Witnesses described her as “very much part of the family” at the Cliftons’ black-tie dance event — affectionate, close, and unmistakably connected.
She even posed for photos with Kevin and his parents before the group slipped away for a private dinner.
Behind closed doors, the bond reportedly deepened even further. One insider alleges that just days later, the pair shared “secret snogs” at another event. Officially, both camps still deny it.
But there was no denying the emotional attachment — strengthened by years of training, touring and shared vulnerability. Kevin even spoke about Louise during rehearsals with Stacey months later, insiders claim.
“He talked about her often. He even asked Stacey for relationship advice,” one source reveals.
“And at one point, he admitted he had told Louise he loved her.”
That confession would soon haunt them both.
As Kevin’s partnership with Stacey grew closer off the dance floor, Louise reportedly began hearing whispers — and the impact was devastating. Friends say she felt “hurt, embarrassed and blindsided.”
Alongside the emotional blow, she had also supported Kevin professionally, introducing him to her manager and helping stabilise his career during his darkest post-marriage period.
“Suddenly, everything just fizzled out,” a friend explains.
“Kevin never told her he’d fallen for Stacey. Louise found out through rumours.”
By early 2019, she had quietly cut all contact.
Stacey would later split from her boyfriend Sam Tucknott, who famously branded Kevin a “slippery snake.” Stacey insisted their romance only began after the series ended, saying she didn’t want to become “a cliché.”
Louise never looked back. She unfollowed Kevin, refused contact, and has since rebuilt her life with businessman Drew Michael, whom she has dated for two years.
Kevin and Stacey went on to welcome their daughter Minnie in January 2023.
His Strictly win with Stacey would become one of his final moments on the BBC show before he quit to focus on theatre — landing major roles including Rock of Ages and Priscilla Queen of the Desert.
But behind every Glitterball victory and public smile… some stories are far messier than they ever appear.