Ed Balls says he avoided the 'Strictly Come Dancing' curse because he was too old.
Ed Balls
The 51-year-old star was paired with Katya Jones - whose drunken kiss with her 'Strictly' partner Seann Walsh sparked the end of his relationship with Rebecca Humphries earlier this month - on the ballroom show in 2016, and while he says the curse exists, he and his wife, MP Yvette Cooper, saw the funny side.
Speaking on 'Lorraine', he said: "There is definitely a 'Strictly' curse, year after year.
"Luckily there's an age cut-off and I was well above the age. Yvette's view was always, when she was asked about it, she would say, 'In his dreams.' "
The former Labour politician admitted his friend Katya had "made a big mistake", but backed the pro dancer and her husband Neil - who is also a 'Strictly' pro - to stay strong in their relationship.
He added: "Katya and Seann had a very tough time the last few of weeks. Katya made a big mistake. Neil and Katya are good friends of ours, all they can do is come back and keep dancing."
Ed's comments come after reports Seann, 32, is being "ignored" by his fellow contestants following the kiss.
It has now been claimed that his actions have caused him to be ostracised from the WhatsApp group which has been joined by all the current show's competitors and their partners.
An insider said: "It was always felt that Seann wasn't as liked from the start but after he was pictured kissing Katya those feelings against him have only intensified.
Seann was overheard voicing his concerns that he gets ignored on the group. He'll put out a message and only receive a muted reaction."
Tagged in Ed Balls