Strictly Come Dancing’s George Clarke Opens Up About Sudden Fame and Paparazzi Invasion

Strictly Come Dancing star George Clarke has opened up about the sudden wave of attention he’s received since joining the BBC’s hit ballroom competition — revealing how unexpected and, at times, intrusive, the experience has been.

The 25-year-old social media personality, known for his comedic videos and podcast The Useless Hotline, admitted that he wasn’t fully prepared for the level of public scrutiny that comes with appearing on one of Britain’s biggest television shows.

Speaking candidly on this week’s episode of The Useless Hotline podcast, which he co-hosts with fellow influencer Max Balegde, Clarke described how he recently discovered paparazzi photos of himself online — taken without his knowledge while spending a quiet weekend with his family and girlfriend, Yasmin.

“They papped me and my sister and her fiancé,” George recalled. “We were just walking to brunch after Saturday night. They made a full story about it. We genuinely did not see the photographer.”

According to Metro UK, Clarke’s comments come after several tabloids published candid shots of the influencer and his partner, sparking online chatter about his personal life — something he says has been blown completely out of proportion.

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‘There Was No Story to Go With It’

During the podcast, Clarke laughed off a viral TikTok search that suggested he had been hospitalised — a rumour he said was completely unfounded. But the misunderstanding led him to reflect on how easily stories can spiral once you’re in the public eye.

“News articles keep trying to – it just feels like a repost,” he said. “They just keep reposting articles that were somewhat relevant at the time. I have been outed as having a girlfriend 75 different times during Strictly! Every other week I’m apparently announcing I have a girlfriend.”

Max agreed that the whole thing felt “bizarre”, with both co-hosts expressing frustration at how harmless moments — like going out for brunch — can be turned into headlines.

“Usually when you’re at Strictly, there’s one photographer outside the studio,” George continued. “They’re quite friendly — they might shout your name or try to get a smile. But this one was different. It was sneaky. It’s scary when you realise someone was watching you without you knowing.”

In one widely circulated article, captions reportedly described George “checking his girlfriend Yasmin’s phone,” which he found absurd.

“We were literally trying to find somewhere to eat,” he said, laughing. “There was no drama, no tension. Just brunch.”

Max chimed in, joking about the way tabloids exaggerate such moments: “They’ll say, ‘Their relationship is on the rocks!’ or ‘They can’t trust each other!’ It’s ridiculous.”

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Adjusting to Life Under the Spotlight

While Clarke has enjoyed the excitement of Strictly, he admitted that navigating fame has been a learning curve.

Speaking to Radio Times, a BBC spokesperson recently said contestants often face “an adjustment period” as they transition from relative privacy to national visibility — something Clarke’s comments appear to echo.

“It’s my first big TV show,” George told Max. “There’s a lot of content this week, a lot to learn. But I’m enjoying it — it’s good fun.”

He also mentioned that he’s learning not to be too hard on himself after facing mixed feedback from the judges in recent weeks.

“It went well, I’m happy with it,” he said of his most recent performance. “I’m not under the illusion that it was my best dance, but I’m happy with how it went. We made a little mistake, but I’ve started beating myself up less.”

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What’s Next for George on Strictly

This week, Clarke and his professional dance partner Alexis Warr will perform a Viennese Waltz to Queen’s “Somebody to Love.”

Fans have rallied behind him on social media, with many saying he’s been treated “too harshly” by the judges and deserves credit for his steady improvement.

According to The Guardian, Strictly Come Dancing remains the most-watched entertainment show in the UK, regularly drawing more than 8 million viewers per episode. For George, that visibility is both a blessing and a challenge.

Despite the newfound fame — and the occasional unwanted photo op — he remains upbeat and focused on the dance floor.

“It’s all part of the experience,” he said. “I just want to make people smile — whether that’s through my videos or on the dance floor.”