Last month, The Sun claimed 2018’s winning Strictly Come Dancing professional Kevin Clifton, 36, was unhappy with his choice of partner and believes he is being punished for now dating former partner Stacey Dooley, 32.
An alleged source told the publication: “He calls himself King Kevin and wanted to make Strictly history by winning back to back titles.
“Kevin thinks Anneka is great on a personal level but believes people at the top are putting the boot in for the fallout from his relationship with Stacey.”
Kevin laughed off the claims on Twitter, telling his 235,000 followers the story is “ridiculous”.
Earlier this week, judge Craig Revel Horwood, 54, said he doesn’t believe Kevin is being punished for his relationship with Stacey.
But, the judge went on to say he believes he will need a “magic wand” to get Anneka through the competition.
He told The Mirror: “I don’t think it was a punishment. He is probably the only one who is going to get Anneka to round two.
“I hope he is going to be able to wave his magic wand like he did with Stacey.”
Craig went on to say Kevin and Stacey, who rarely discuss their romance, are in “lovely relationship”.
“They really love each other and I think it is fantastic,” he added at the Big: The Musical Gala night.
Last month, Craig apologised after making a remark about Kevin and Stacey.
During filming for the show, he reportedly said: “Of course, if you sleep with your dance partner that helps.”
According to The Sun, he retracted his comment and said: “I’m deeply sorry for the offence caused to Kevin and Stacey and everyone who works on the show.
“I recognise that what I said was hurtful, cruel and incredibly disrespectful. It was a huge error of judgment that I very much regret.”
Kevin won the Glitterball for the first time with BBC documentary maker Stacey last year.
Back in April, her ex-boyfriend Sam Tucknott, 31, said she Stacey was in a relationship with Kevin following their split.
The former dancing duo remained tight-lipped about their romance up until recently.
Last month, Stacey Dooley broke her silence about the reason why the pair keep their love life private.
She told The Guardian: “Kev and I have agreed not to go into too much detail about our private lives because you can’t really indulge that and then ask for privacy,” she said.
“That’s why we’ve turned down interviews that have offered us tens of thousands of pounds.
“What I am happy to say is Kev’s amazing, I’m happy, life happens, I’ve got an amazing career and I’m very lucky.”
Strictly Come Dancing live shows air this Saturday on BBC One.