Strictly fans favourite to bow out of TV show

EVER SINCE he was introduced simply as “Kevin from Grimsby”, he has become a firm favourite with fans of Strictly Come Dancing.

But Kevin Clifton announced yesterday that he is leaving the hugely popular BBC show, saying “the time has come to move on and focus on other areas of my life and career”.

The professional dancer, 37, who joined the line-up in 2013, won the 16th series of the show with partner Stacey Dooley.

Clifton wrote on Instagram: “The past seven years have been some of the most wonderful years of my life. I am grateful to the BBC and Strictly Come Dancing for giving me the opportunity to have been a part of something truly special.

“Since first being called ‘Kevin

From Grimsby’ by Sir Bruce Forsyth in 2013 I have experienced the highs of five finals, winning a Guinness World record on It Takes Two, the Strictly Arena tour glitterball and then the ultimate of winning the 2018 series with Stacey Dooley. “After finishing last series with the Children In Need trophy and the Christmas Special I want to leave on a high and have therefore decided the time has come to move on and focus on other areas of my life and career.”

Clifton was a choreographer on the show before being promoted to become one of the professional dancers. He was previously married to fellow Strictly professional Karen Hauer but the pair announced their split in 2018.

In 2019, it was confirmed he was in a relationship with Dooley.