Fleur East reveals bizarre wedding anniversary ritual with husband as she prepares for Strictly

Fleur East has revealed the bizarre wedding anniversary ritual she went through with her husband Marcel Badiane-Robin.

The former X Factor star, 34, who is preparing to take part in the upcoming Strictly Come Dancing series, told how she strengthened her marriage to the French fashion designer, with the ancient ritual leaving her feeling ‘reborn’. 

Fleur and Marcel flew to Mexico to mark their third anniversary in June, with the singer noting the custom was a ‘wholly spiritual experience.’ 

Wedded bliss: Fleur East has revealed the bizarre wedding anniversary ritual she went through with her husband 

In an interview with The Mirror, she explained: ‘We went to Tabasco where a Hispanic ritual is performed. You go through portals in what looks like a clay igloo. It’s a wholly spiritual experience. We both felt really light and we felt new again.

She added: ‘It’s like you’re reborn. So you kind of let go of, you know, any grudges, you’re holding… any negativity, any preconceived ideas that kind of hold you back.’

With Fleur remarking that her marriage is stronger than ever, it puts her in good stead to be protected from the dreaded Strictly curse. 

Candid: Fleur, 34, who is preparing to take part in the upcoming Strictly Come Dancing series, told how she strengthened her marriage to the French fashion designer, with the ancient ritual leaving her feeling 'reborn'

Candid: Fleur, 34, who is preparing to take part in the upcoming Strictly Come Dancing series, told how she strengthened her marriage to the French fashion designer, with the ancient ritual leaving her feeling ‘reborn’

The long-running show has developed an undesirable reputation for unravelling previously stable relationships, with more than a dozen celebrity contestants embarking on new romances with their respective dance partners during its 18 year history. 

Meanwhile, during the interview, Fleur told how the ritual had helped her with the devastating loss of her father Malcom, who died of a heart attack in 2020.

She said: ‘Losing my father, that was really heavy. And I think in the pandemic, you couldn’t really deal with that properly because that was the way life was. A lot of that had been weighing on me… I felt like I’d let a lot of that go. So it was a really positive experience.’

Ritual: Fleur and Marcel flew to Mexico to mark their third anniversary in June, with the singer noting the custom was a 'wholly spiritual experience'

Ritual: Fleur and Marcel flew to Mexico to mark their third anniversary in June, with the singer noting the custom was a ‘wholly spiritual experience’

Spiritual: 'It¿s like you¿re reborn. So you kind of let go of, you know, any grudges, you¿re holding¿ any negativity, any preconceived ideas that kind of hold you back'

Spiritual: ‘It’s like you’re reborn. So you kind of let go of, you know, any grudges, you’re holding… any negativity, any preconceived ideas that kind of hold you back’

It comes after Fleur became emotional as she told how she is competing in this year’s Strictly Come Dancing in memory of her late father Malcolm, who adored the BBC show.

The Sax hitmaker revealed she was the twelfth contestant on this year’s series on Thursday during her Hits Radio Breakfast show where she said: ‘You’ll see me in the ballroom on Strictly Come Dancing!’

Appearing on Lorraine later that day, Fleur teared up as she told guest host Ranvir Singh that she was heartbroken her dad  wasn’t here to watch her dance.

Heartfelt: Fleur East became emotional as she told how she is competing in this year's Strictly Come Dancing in memory of her late father Malcolm, who adored the BBC show

Heartfelt: Fleur East became emotional as she told how she is competing in this year’s Strictly Come Dancing in memory of her late father Malcolm, who adored the BBC show

She said: ‘I hope I get to dance to some of my songs… for me it’s quite emotional. My dad who passed away in 2020, Strictly was his favourite show.’

Getting emotional, she added: ‘I’m going to be doing it for him. I’m just gutted he can’t see me do it, but I’m going to keep him in mind during the show… I’m excited, my family, just for that reason, will be buzzing. I wasn’t expecting to get this emotional about it.’ 

Elsewhere during her Lorraine interview, Fleur said she feels the pressure to do well on Strictly as she already has dance experience from performing on stage.

She said, ‘There’s too much pressure, I’m so nervous, Ranvir. I can dance in the club and when I’m singing on stage, but I have never done any technical dancing, so I don’t know anything ballroom, how to point a toe or anything like that.’

She added: ‘This is a completely different level. You need to give me some advice, Ranvir!’

Fleur said: 'My dad who passed away in 2020, Strictly was his favourite show. I'm going to be doing it for him. I'm just gutted he can't see me do it'

Fleur said: ‘My dad who passed away in 2020, Strictly was his favourite show. I’m going to be doing it for him. I’m just gutted he can’t see me do it’

Emotions: 'I'm excited, my family, just for that reason, will be buzzing. I wasn't expecting to get this emotional about it'

Emotions: ‘I’m excited, my family, just for that reason, will be buzzing. I wasn’t expecting to get this emotional about it’ 

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