Camilla Kerslake has reportedly moved to befriend the woman partnered with her husband, former England rugby captain Chris Robshaw, on Strictly Come Dancing in an apparent effort to head off the so‑called "Strictly curse."
A source told The Sun that Kerslake, an opera singer married to Robshaw since 2018, has already invited his professional partner to dinner and is keen to build a friendship outside the show to avoid gossip and rivalry. The source said the two women "have shared common ground and want to make sure they're a unified group — rather than Camilla being on the outside," and added that Robshaw expects he may become the "third wheel."
Robshaw is one of 15 celebrities taking part in this year's Strictly Come Dancing; the identities of the professional pairings are being revealed at the show's launch. The so‑called "Strictly curse" is a persistent media trope referencing several high‑profile relationships that have ended after contestants formed on‑ or off‑screen attachments since the series debuted in 2004.
The reports about Kerslake's outreach come amid a separate and serious incident involving the family. Robshaw and Kerslake have been the target of a female stalker described by their representatives as "violent." According to reporting, the woman threatened to make false allegations to social services and had briefly met Robshaw at work events last year. The BBC has reassured the couple that "his safety, and his family's safety, comes first," and producers have been reported to be on high alert.
Kerslake addressed the situation on Instagram, thanking supporters and praising press coverage for what she called sensitive handling of a difficult time. In the post she said the family had been "focusing on keeping our little family safe" and that they would not let the ordeal define them. She wrote that the couple were "choosing to move forward" and that Strictly was a welcome source of joy: "Let's hope it's more snake hips and not hip replacement for our boy!" she added in a light‑hearted line, while also acknowledging ongoing challenges behind the scenes.
Representatives for Kerslake were contacted for comment by the Daily Mail, which first reported the story, and the couple's public communications have emphasized gratitude for public support. Robshaw and Kerslake are parents to two young children, Wilding, five, and Hunter, 18 months.
Strictly producers have in recent years faced scrutiny over contestant welfare and the privacy of those connected to participants. The format pairs celebrities with professional dancers for weeks of live performances and intense rehearsals, and past seasons have featured several celebrity relationships that later ended, feeding public fascination with the program's effect on participants' private lives.
Kerslake's reported decision to cultivate a friendship with her husband's dance partner aligns with a broader theme she has expressed publicly: support among women. The source quoted by The Sun framed the move as preventative rather than adversarial, and said both women were "totally on board" with building a connection.
As Robshaw prepares to appear on the show, the couple's statement and the BBC's assurances underline the continuing focus on safety and wellbeing around high‑profile television appearances. The Strictly launch and the official announcement of professional partners are due to be broadcast this weekend.