Former Coronation Street actor Sean Ward has hit back at reports that he was worried about the “Strictly curse” and his girlfriend, Georgia May Foote.

Reports suggested that Ward was “upset” after Foote’s Strictly Come Dancing debut, which saw her doing a jive that included a cheeky “peck” from professional dance partner Giovanni Pernice.

But talking to ITV’s Lorraine Kelly, he said: “Oh. ignore that, it’s rubbish. Like I haven’t seen their jive before they did it? If I’m worried about the jive, what about the pasodoble?”

Sean Ward attending the 2015 TV Choice Awards  (Ian West/PA)
Sean Ward attending the 2015 TV Choice Awards (Ian West/PA)

He pointed out that they are both in the acting business, and added: “That curse of Strictly rubbish happens with sports personalities … as actors we’re used to it.”

The much-referred to “Strictly curse” has seen marriages and relationships ruined when celebrities fall for their professional dance partners.

Georgia May Foote arriving at the launch of Strictly Come Dancing 2015 (Ian West/PA)
Georgia May Foote arriving at the launch of Strictly Come Dancing 2015 (Ian West/PA)

The curse has supposedly blighted contestants’ relationships, with Countdown host Rachel Riley splitting from her husband to start a relationship with dance partner Pasha Kovalev; Susanna Reid separating from partner Dominic Cotton weeks after finishing her stint on Strictly; and Joe Calzaghe confirming he was in a relationship with partner Kristina Rihanoff after splitting with his girlfriend.

Sean’s Corrie character, Callum Logan, was killed off during the nail-biting live episode last week.

The live spectacular was part of ITV’s 60th birthday celebrations, and fans saw Callum meet a grim end at the hands of Kylie Platt.