Married Strictly dancers split up after wife’s f ling with accountant
STRICTLY Come Dancing professionals Karen and Kevin Clifton are splitting after just two years of marriage, in yet another case of the notorious ‘Strictly Curse’.
Despite putting on a united front during the show, the couple have been ‘on the rocks’ for a year and have been living separately since Mrs Clifton began an affair with a younger man.
According to friends, they have been putting the ‘show ahead of themselves’ – and even agreed to dance an intimate routine together during Sunday night’s results show.
But away from the cameras, it is understood the pair – who have both been married before – have been under great strain and struggled to keep their marriage together.
Earlier this year Mrs Clifton, 35, posted on social media: ‘I love you @keviclifton. Happy 2 year wedding anniversary my love.’
However, the Venezuelan mambo champion was recently caught having an affair with 27year- old accountant Stuart Wood, who is eight years her junior. According to The Sun, the pair have enjoyed dinner dates together and were seen leaving Mrs Clifton’s home in Wimbledon within minutes of one another.
Yet the Daily Mail can reveal they have now ended the affair and Mr Wood has returned to Scotland, where his family live in East Linton, near Edinburgh. Meanwhile, it is understood that Clifton, also 35, has moved out. A friend said: ‘They have been rocky for about a year now, but were still living together until recently.
‘Then a fortnight ago, Kevin moved out and has been staying in a hotel near Elstree. Karen had a meaningless fling, which looked to be a cry for attention, but that is now over. Kevin and Karen’s split isn’t really anything to do with her affair, as they were already having trouble.
‘Things are very difficult for both of them, as they obviously have to rehearse together for the Strictly pro dances but they are trying to be civil and professional.’ Yesterday Mrs Clifton was pictured still wearing her wedding ring. Representatives for the Cliftons were last night not available for comment.