Strictly Come Dancing’s Dianne Buswell and her boyfriend Anthony Quinlan may become the first real-life couple to be paired together on the show later this year.
The ‘Emmerdale’ hunk – who is known for playing Pete Barton in the long-running soap – is being lined up to take part in the Ballroom and Latin series in September, but his professional dancer girlfriend Dianne isn’t keen on him being partnered up with anyone but her and is trying to persuade bosses to put them together.
A source told The Sun newspaper: "Dianne and Anthony are excited by the prospect of being the first ever couple to dance together on the show.
"Bosses think their real-life chemistry would be a massive draw for viewers and would really rev up the competition.
"Dianne thinks the winning gimmick will guarantee her a place in the professional line-up as she’s still waiting to hear whether not she’s made the cut.
"The only catch is that Anthony still needs to confirm Emmerdale bosses will give him time off set to immerse himself in dance rehearsals. He’s hoping that he can convince them it would be great coverage and promotion for the soap as well."
The couple met last year when they were introduced to one another through their mutual friend Gemma Atkinson at the dancing show’s wrap party in December.
It was believed they’d briefly split in February because their busy careers were wreaking havoc for their relationship but a few weeks later they were back together.
Although bosses are toying with the idea of putting the 33-year-old actor with his 28-year-old girlfriend for the show, ‘Strictly’ is certainly no stranger to the "curse" as a number of relationships have broken down and formed during the last 13 series.