Kate Silverton says 'Strictly Come Dancing' is "marriage magic".

Kate Silverton

Kate Silverton

The BBC newsreader is married to Mike Heron and instead of fearing the 'Strictly' curse - where celebrities fall for their dance partner, Kate admitted the show has done wonders for her marriage.

Kate told the Daily Mirror: "He's upping his game. Never mind the Strictly curse, this is marriage magic. I'm getting texts going, 'You looked really hot this morning, babe'."

And she admitted that hunky new Italian dancer Graziano Di Prima, 24, could be one of the reasons her husband has been extra affectionate.

Kate, 48 - who has six-year-old daughter, Clemency, and four-year-old son, Wilbur with Mike - said: "When I came home on the first day after the group dance, Mike went, 'So, who were you dancing with today?' And I went, 'Oh, you know, that new one, the Italian' - as if he didn't know because I'd been going, 'Oh, look at him!' I just saw a little flicker.

"I married the love of my life, he's my soulmate, so we have no worries in that department."

Meanwhile, Graziano - who has replaced Brendan Cole - has become a hit with all of the female contestants.

An insider told The Sun: "Graziano is so handsome he's got all of the dancers talking.

"The male stars are talking about raising their game now he's arrived, and a lot of women fancy him.

"They're all talking about how good looking he is but admitting their partners at home would be worried if they end up dancing with him. It's become a running joke."