Reality television star Vicky Pattison has made a surprising confession about the extreme measures she and her fiancé are taking to safeguard their relationship as she prepares to join the Strictly Come Dancing lineup. The former I'm A Celebrity winner revealed she and Ercan Ramadan have agreed to complete celibacy during her time on the BBC dance competition.
The couple's decision comes as a direct response to the infamous 'Strictly curse' - the phenomenon where contestants' relationships suffer or end due to their intense involvement with professional dance partners. "We're going to be completely celibate while I'm doing the show," Pattison disclosed during a candid podcast appearance.
A Proactive Approach to Relationship Protection
Pattison explained that the celibacy agreement was her idea, stemming from her desire to maintain complete focus on both her dancing and her relationship. "I was like, 'Right, we're going to be celibate while I'm doing Strictly,'" the 36-year-old recounted. Her fiancé, businessman Ercan Ramadan, reportedly responded with understanding, though perhaps not complete enthusiasm.
"He was like, 'What? Why?' And I was like, 'Because I'm not going to have the energy, I'm not going to have the headspace, and I don't want anything to come between us,'" she shared. The Geordie Shore alum emphasized that this decision was about eliminating any potential sources of tension during what promises to be an exhausting period.
The Emotional Toll of Strictly Preparation
Beyond the physical demands of learning complex dance routines, Pattison expressed concerns about the emotional intensity that comes with the Strictly experience. She acknowledged the unique intimacy that develops between dance partners, describing it as an "emotional connection" that forms through the shared physical and mental challenges of competition.
"You're in this weird bubble with this person, you're touching them all the time, you're relying on them, you're looking to them for reassurance and support," she explained, highlighting exactly why many believe the 'Strictly curse' has claimed so many relationships over the years.
A Relationship Built on Strong Foundations
Pattison and Ramadan got engaged in June 2023 during a romantic holiday to Cyprus, and the television personality insists their relationship is strong enough to withstand the Strictly pressure. The temporary celibacy, she suggests, is simply a practical measure rather than a reflection of any underlying relationship issues.
The couple's approach represents one of the most direct confrontations of the 'Strictly curse' in the show's history, with Pattison determined to prove that with proper boundaries and communication, relationships can survive the intense world of ballroom dancing.
