Entertainment
Strictly star secretly split from girlfriend two weeks into show-Emily Bashforth-Entertainment – Metro
They split two weeks into his Strictly experience.
Tom Dean has split from his girlfriend after one year together (Picture: Guy Levy/BBC/PA Wire)
Strictly Come Dancing star Tom Dean and his girlfriend have called time on their romance.
The Olympic gold medallist, 24, was the first star eliminated from Strictly’s 20th-anniversary series just weeks ago, leaving both viewers and his professional partner lost for words.
Tom was paired with Ukrainian ballroom and Latin champion Nadiya Bychkova, 35, who recently suffered her own heartbreak after splitting from boyfriend and fellow pro Kai Widdrington, 29.
However, it is believed that Tom’s split from girlfriend Charlotte Phillips was not related to the so-called Strictly curse.
As per the Daily Mail, the athlete and communications exec ‘amicably’ parted ways just two weeks into his Strictly experience.
Sources claim their year-long romance had simply come to a natural end.
The Olympian and Charlotte Phillips ‘drifted apart’ (Picture: Instagram)
Tom danced with Ukranian pro Nadiya Bychkova on Strictly (Picture: Instagram)
Tom and Lottie had reportedly been ‘on the rocks’ for a while and had been gradually ‘drifting apart’.
An insider said: ‘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.
‘They are still good friends and it’s all amicable between them.’
Lottie last featured on Tom’s Instagram at the end of August, when he shared a slew of snaps of recent life happenings, including a selfie of them in a lift.
Before that, he posted a selfie of them together in a hotel at the end of 2023 as he reflected on the year, with Lottie commenting underneath: ‘The best’.
They enjoyed plenty of travels together during their 12-month relationship, as Tom gave fans an insight into their holidays, as well as his welcome home party from the Paris Olympics, where Lottie celebrated with him.
He and Lottie split just two weeks into the Strictly experience (Picture: Instagram)
Prior to dating Lottie, he was in a relationship with Catherine Ross.
Following what many Strictly viewers deemed a premature exit from the show, Tom has remained close with his partner Nadiya.
The two attended the Pride of Britain Awards together in October and dined at a food event together last week.
Tom commented on a post Nadiya shared: ‘What an afternoon. Best food and best company.’
The three-time Olympic gold medallist was Nadiya’s first Strictly partner since 2022, as fans raged that she wasn’t given a celebrity last series.
Alas, they only got to perform two dances, as Tom was beaten in the first dance-off by Toyah Willcox and Neil Jones, who were ultimately sent packing the week after.
Tom and Nadiya have remained good friends since their shock elimination (Picture: Instagram)
Viewers were outraged when he became the first celeb to leave the show (Picture: BBC/Guy Levy)
Tom wrote on social media after his exit: ‘Coming straight from the Paris 2024 Olympics into Strictly Come Dancing has been a whirlwind but I’m so, so proud
‘The journey may have ended a little earlier than I hoped and of course, I am so gutted, but I’m so grateful for all the amazing people I met, people I’ll be cheering on throughout and who I know will continue to smash it.’
Addressing Nadiya directly, he wrote sweetly: ‘And to my brilliant partner @nadiyabychkova , thank you so much for everything. You’ve been an amazing teacher and to have danced alongside you has been an absolute privilege.’
Nadiya also commented: ‘So proud of you partner. You showed everyone the heart of an Olympic champion. I wish it could have lasted longer but it has been a wonderful few weeks. 🙏🏼🤍’
Strictly Come Dancing airs Saturday and Sunday on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
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