Karim Zeroual is "too busy" to deal with the ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ curse rumours.
The CBBC presenter has been romantically linked to professional dance partner Amy Dowden – despite Karim having dated student Poppy Birtwistle for three years and Amy preparing to marry her fiancé Ben Jones – but he insists their friendship is purely platonic.
He said: "I don’t really know about any rumours. I’m too busy learning to do this waltz than to worry about stuff like that."
Whilst Amy added to the Sunday Mirror newspaper: "Karim is coming to my wedding next July … I’m so excited."
Karim has also hit back at claims he has dancing experience, as he impresses week on week with his performances.
He said: "I was a singer in musical theatre, ‘The Lion King’, when I was about eight! There’s no movement in it!"
The television presenter hopes his stint on ‘Strictly’ will help him springboard into other roles too.
He added: "I definitely want experience on other telly. Kids’ telly is amazing … this is the best job in the world. It’s not even work, I get paid to have a pie in my face!"
Karim was previously forced to deny a blossoming romance between him and Amy.
He shared at the time: "Oh no – there’s nothing going on between me and Amy. I have a girlfriend. But Amy and I are really good mates – a bit too good. We tease each other constantly, and it goes a bit far, and she nags me a bit – but look, it is all out of love."