The actor Rebecca Humphries has spoken out after her boyfriend, the comedian Seann Walsh, was photographed kissing his ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ partner Katya Jones.
The actor broke her silence in a dignified and withering post on Twitter, which was widely shared, where she revealed the pictures were taken on her birthday.
“Hello there,” she wrote. “My name is Rebecca Humphries and I am not a victim.
“I wasn’t sure whether to respond to events from the past week, but I feel the narrative has missed a couple of crucial elements that I would like to clear up.
“It’s incredibly good of Sean(n) and Katya to apologise in the media. I have received nothing, other than the support of my family, friends, and a host of strangers on the internet who all wanted to make sure I was OK.
“What I have also kindly received are many offers to sell my side of the story, but I would prefer for it to be on my own terms.”
She went on: “Those pictures were taken on October 3rd. It was my birthday.
“I was alone at home when Sean texted at 10pm saying the two of them were going for one innocent drink.
“We spoke and I told him, not for the first time, that his actions over the past three weeks had led me to believe something inappropriate was going on. He aggressively, and repeatedly, called me a psycho/nuts/mental. As he has done countless times throughout our relationship when I’ve questioned his inappropriate, hurtful behaviour.
“But – this whole business has served to remind me that I am a strong, capable person who is now free; and no victim. I have a voice and will use it by saying this to any woman out there who deep down feels worthless and trapped with a man they love:
“Believe in yourself and your instincts. It’s more than lying. It’s controlling. Tell some very close friends who, if they’re anything like my wonderful network, will swoop in and take care of the logistics and of you.
“It’s important also to recognise that in these situations those who hold power over you are insecure and fragile, and their need for control comes from a place of vulnerability.
“I think it certainly does in Sean’s case. Despite everything, I hope he gets what he wants from this. I’m not sorry I took the cat though.
“Love, Rebecca.”
HuffPost UK has attempted to contact Walsh’s representatives and the BBC for comment.
On social media, Humphries was lauded for her bravery, honesty and humour.
The BBC show has been rocked by Walsh sharing a kiss with professional dancer partner Katya Jones during a night out.
The pair were caught on camera in a passionate embrace in the street, becoming the latest victims of the so-called ‘Strictly curse’.
They both used social media to react to the video footage.
Katya said: “I’m so sorry about any offence or hurt I may have caused with my actions. I wasn’t thinking and it was a one-off mistake after some drinks.
“I love my husband and we are very happy together, this is not a reflection on our relationship.”
Seann tweeted: “In light of the story in today’s newspaper I would like to offer my sincere apologies for my actions. This is no excuse but it was a one-off drunken mistake which I am truly sorry for.”
The ‘curse’ refers to either when contestants whose relationships come to an end while competing on the show, or those who embark on romances with their dance partner when either one, or both, of them are already with someone else.
The curse claimed its first victim in 2004, when newsreader Natasha Kaplinsky split from her partner after appearing on the show, and since then, ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ has played a part in ending plenty of other relationships.