Sophie Ellis-Bextor Reveals How Her Time on Strictly Come Dancing Left Her Marriage in Turmoil as Husband Richard Jones Felt Alienated and Insecure

The 45-year-old singer revealed that the experience left her husband feeling sidelined and insecure.

In her 2021 memoir, Spinning Plates, Sophie described how Richard became unusually fixated on her whereabouts during the show.

He feared that she might want to leave him, despite knowing there was no romantic involvement with her professional partner, Brendan Cole.

Sophie assured that Brendan, who was 48 at the time, was a complete gentleman and that Richard liked him.

Still, the demands of the show took a toll on their relationship.

Sophie reached the final of Strictly, finishing in fourth place.

Reflecting on the final week, she shared that both she and Abbey Clancy, another contestant, were eager to return to their normal lives.

Meanwhile, Richard felt increasingly left out and worried that Sophie was drifting away from their life together.

Despite her reassurances, Richard’s anxiety persisted.

Sophie noted that he became overly insistent on knowing her every move and would spiral into distress if she didn’t immediately respond to his messages.

Sophie admitted that she struggled to find emotional support on the show, which she felt was lacking.

She expressed regret that there was no dedicated emotional support for contestants and suggested that a counselor would have been beneficial.

Richard started seeing a counselor about a month into the show, which helped him cope.

Sophie wished she had sought similar support.

Current Controversies Surrounding Strictly

Strictly Come Dancing is currently facing a significant crisis, marking its 20th anniversary on the BBC.

Recent controversies include allegations of misconduct involving professional dancers Graziano Di Prima and Giovanni Pernice.

Graziano was recently removed from the show following claims of inappropriate behavior, while Giovanni is under investigation for allegations made by former contestants.

Apologies and Future Plans

The BBC is reportedly considering an apology from hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman in an attempt to address the issues and restore the show’s reputation.

With the new series set to start in September, the network is keen to move past these controversies and focus on the celebration of the show’s milestone anniversary.

Support Groups and Ongoing Issues

Amid these challenges, some former contestants have reportedly formed a secret support group to share their experiences and support each other.

However, it remains uncertain whether the show’s new season will address the recent departures and allegations directly.

The upcoming launch show is scheduled for September 4, with live shows beginning shortly thereafter.