Olympic swimmer Tom Dean has rekindled his relationship with ex-girlfriend Charlotte Phillips, marking their reconciliation two years after their initial separation. Dean, 26, announced the reunion on his Instagram stories on Friday, sharing a selfie with Phillips on her birthday.
The couple's previous split in 2024 was widely reported to be influenced by the "Strictly curse," a phenomenon often associated with relationships ending during or shortly after participation in the BBC's dancing competition. Dean's relationship with professional dancer Nadiya Bychkova, 36, on the show reportedly coincided with his separation from Phillips, though sources close to Dean at the time insisted the breakup was due to the couple drifting apart and not related to his involvement with Bychkova.
"Like in so many breakups, Tom and Lottie's year-long relationship had naturally run its course and it has nothing to do with Strictly, it just happened to be in the first two weeks that they decided to part ways," an insider told MailOnline in 2024.
Dean also shared a photo of himself and Phillips dressed up in a garden setting, accompanying a carousel of images with the caption: "Racing season! (and a few things in-between)."
Meanwhile, Nadiya Bychkova is reportedly in advanced discussions to appear on the upcoming season of "I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here" after her departure from "Strictly Come Dancing." Sources indicate that ITV bosses are impressed with Bychkova and consider her a top candidate for the jungle competition.
Bychkova announced her exit from "Strictly" in March after nine years on the program, expressing gratitude for her time on the show and thanking supporters. She indicated that her journey with "Strictly" was evolving and that she was exploring new opportunities within the "Strictly" world.