OLYMPIC swimmer Adam Peaty’s ex-girlfriend has told how the Strictly curse was “the beginning of the end” of their relationship.
Eiri Munro has warned other celebs lined up to appear on the BBC show to think of their loved ones during the process.
It comes as Adam, 29, who is heading to the Paris Olympics this summer, spoke of suffering “three years of hell” as he struggled with depression and binge drinking to cope with pressure.
Eiri told The Sun on Sunday of the “intense attention” she endured when Adam nearly kissed dance partner Katya Jones in front of millions of viewers on a live show.
Eiri, 26, said: “My advice wouldn’t be to the partners of those going on Strictly, but for the celebrities participating; involve your family in the process — it can be a very lonely process for partners.
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“Also reassure your partner, especially when the world inevitably begins to speculate there’s something going on between you and your dance partner.
“And if you’re not strong enough to go through the process, if your relationship isn’t secure, or you don’t know how to handle the intense attention that comes with it, don’t go on the show.”
Viewers watching in October 2021 were stunned when Adam and Katya, now 34, appeared to nearly have a snog at the end of a steamy Argentine Tango.
Afterwards Eiri posted a video of her pretending to cry alongside a caption saying: “Watching your boyfriend almost kiss another woman on live TV — finding out 10million people also watched it.”
The couple, who met at Loughborough University in 2017 and share three-year-old son George, announced they had split up in August 2022.
Adam had said in an Instagram post: “Eiri and George, I’m sorry for letting you down. My only interest is for the well-being of our family at this difficult time.”
Asked if Adam going on Strictly had played a part, Eiri said: “It was definitely the beginning of the end.”
She admitted to not being sure if they would be still together even if he had not gone on the show.
Eiri said: “It’s hard to say. I think it helped us realise what we wanted in life. Sadly, if it wasn’t for Strictly it would’ve been something else.
“I’m grateful we found out we were not meant for each other sooner rather than later, for the sake of our young son.”
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Talking of their split, she added: “It wasn’t for the reason people expect. It was just a case of him realising he wanted something different, career wise.
“Very rapidly the things he wanted in life changed. He saw the opportunity for his success and legacy to come fully into fruition.”
Adam is now in a relationship with Holly Ramsay, 24, the daughter of TV chef Gordon.
They confirmed their relationship with matching tattoos last summer.
The three-time Olympic gold medallist qualified this week in London for another crack at success in Paris.
We have come through the past 3 years of hell
Adam last week
He had said: “We’ve come through the past three years of hell. I didn’t want to see a pool again.
“The sport had broken me. I didn’t know what route to go down and so many things got in my way.
“But now I’m waking up each day and enjoying my job.”
And last night he credited Holly for his renaissance.
He told The Sunday Times: “We gelled straight away. She gives me peace, calm, perspective, and that brings stability.
“It’s important to know every day when chasing down goals in sport that there’s another side to life and that whatever happens in the pool, I’m winning in life, because I’m with the right person.”
