Strictly star claims BBC ‘stitched him up’ with romance c...

Strictly star claims BBC ‘stitched him up’ with romance curse claim

Rebecca Cook Published November 27, 2025 5:54pm Updated November 27, 2025 5:55pm Share this article via whatsappShare this article via xCopy the link to this article.Link is copiedShare this article via facebook Ricky Whittle and Natalie Lowe smile for a Strictly Come Dancing promo photo.

Ricky Whittle and Natalie Lowe smile for a Strictly Come Dancing promo photo.

Ricky Whittle has claimed that BBC bosses ‘manipulated’ show footage (Picture: BBC)

Former Strictly Come Dancing star Ricky Whittle has claimed that BBC bosses ‘manipulated’ show footage into creating an apparent romance between him and his professional dance partner.

The 45-year-old actor was best known as Calvin Valentine from Hollyoaks when he sashayed onto the ballroom dance floor with his pro partner Natalie Lowe in 2009.

Weeks into Strictly, Ricky Whittle split from his longtime girlfriend and Hollyoaks co-star Carley Stenson – fuelling rumours that the Strictly curse might have struck again.

Yet Whittle has now claimed he was ‘stitched up’ by bosses at the Beeb during his stint on the show, which saw him finish second to TV presenter Chris Hollins and his dance partner Ola Jordan.

In a new interview with the Daily Mail, Whittle says a clip of him and Lowe holding hands was ‘manufactured’ with romantic music in the background, claiming it was part of a bid on the broadcaster’s part to boost viewership.

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The actor told the publication: ‘The BBC totally stitched me up, they manipulated a romance, they fixed it so that we were the romantic couple.

Ricky Whittle (right) and Natalie Lowe during the dress rehearsal for final of the BBC programme Strictly Come Dancing. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Issue date: Saturday December 19, 2009. See PA story SHOWBIZ Strictly. Photo credit should read: BBC/Guy Levy/PA Wire WARNING: Use of this copyright image is subject to the terms of use of BBC Pictures' BBC Digital Picture Service. In particular, this image may only be published in print for editorial use during the publicity period (the weeks immediately leading up to and including the transmission week of the relevant programme or event and three review weeks following) for the purpose of publicising the programme, person or service pictured and provided the BBC and the copyright holder in the caption are credited. Any use of this image on the internet and other online communication services will require a separate prior agreement with BBC Pictures. For any other purpose whatsoever, including advertising and commercial prior written approval from the copyright holder will be required

The pair finished second on Strictly Come Dancing in 2009 (Picture: PA/BBC/Guy Levy)

‘They manipulated interviews in the VTs shown during the show. I remember them asking me questions about Natalie like, “Was seeing her the best part of your day?” or me saying she was amazing, and they cut together with soft, beautiful music in the background.

‘They knew what they were doing. Other couples were the ones who argued, but Natalie and I were the romantic couple.’

Since leaving Hollyoaks in 2011, the actor has transitioned from the soaps to Hollywood, with a leading role in the Neil Gaiman adaptation American Gods (which has sadly since been axed), as well as in last year’s Russell Crowe action thriller Land of Bad.

MONTE-CARLO, MONACO - JUNE 18: Ricky Whittle attends the closing ceremony of the 59th Monte Carlo TV Festival on June 18, 2019 in Monte-Carlo, Monaco. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)

Whittle has since traded in Hollyoakes for Hollywood (Picture: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)

During an interview with Metro last year, he commented on whether he had any regrets about leaving Hollyoaks when he did, joking: ‘As I look out of my balcony windows with my sprawling gardens and pool on to a valley of mountains and sunshine, I wish I was back in the Liverpool rain!’

He continued: ‘I loved working on Hollyoaks and I still have friends back there. There’s such a stigma about soaps but they’re the best education you could ever want as an actor.’

Metro contacted the BBC, who declined to comment.

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Strictly Come Dancing continues on Saturday night on BBC One.

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