Who is Kevin Clifton? The professional dancer returns for Strictly's 2019 Christmas Special
Will the reigning Strictly champ lift the glitterball trophy once more?
Kevin Clifton is an English dancer who joined the Strictly Come Dancing professional line-up in 2013, where he danced alongside now ex-wife Karen Clifton.
Clifton also featured on Burn the Floor and has worked as an assistant choreographer previously. Last year he won Strictly Come Dancing with Stacey Dooley who he's now dating. This year, he'll be taking part in the Christmas Special, dancing the quickstep with 2017 finalist Debbie McGee.
Who is Kevin Clifton?
Age: 37
Born: Waltham, Lincolnshire
Twitter: @keviclifton
Instagram: keviclifton
Strictly wins: 1. Kevin came an agonising second place on the show for four years, and got to 7th place with partner Susan Calman in 2018. However, he finally lifted the glitterball trophy with partner Stacey Dooley last year. This year, he danced alongside Anneka Rice, but they were the second couple to be voted out of the competition.
Partner for 2019 Christmas special: Debbie McGee
Which Strictly celebrity is Kevin paired with this year?
Kevin has been paired with former contestant and 2017 finalist Debbie McGee. Earlier this year, Kevin danced with Anneka Rice, a choice which he said he was "very happy and impressed by." They were the second couple to leave the competition.
Which Strictly celebrity was Kevin paired with last year?
TV presenter Stacey Dooley. The two are now in a romantic relationship, but remain secretive about their private life. You can see a video of the pair after they were first coupled up on Strictly below...
Who is Kevin Clifton?
Frequently referred to as “Kevin from Grimsby”, Kevin boasts an impressive record since joining as a professional in 2013, having worked on the show as an assistant choreographer the year before. Coming from a dancing family (both his parents are former World Champions) he danced competitively until 2007.
What's Kevin Clifton's dance background?
Training in Latin and Ballroom as a child, he is a four time British Latin Champion and boasts a hefty International Open resume, having won titles in Italy, Japan, Finland, Taiwan, Slovakia and many more.
How many times has Kevin Clifton won Strictly?
On Strictly he has been a finalist for four years – and finally lifted the Glitter ball with Stacey last year. During his time on the show, Kevin has been paired with Susanna Reid, Frankie Bridge, Kellie Bright, Louise Redknapp, and Susan Calman in 2017.
When did Kevin and Karen Clifton split?
Kevin split with his wife Karen in March 2018, but both of them will still be performing on Strictly together this year. Kevin has been married three times, the first was to his dance partner aged 20. He then married professional dance partner Clare Craze. They split up in 2010 and divorced in 2013 when he joined Strictly. He married Karen Clifton after proposing on stage during a performance of Burn the Floor and they married in 2015.
In 2019 it was confirmed Kevin was dating Stacey Dooley, his Strictly partner.
Learn more about the Strictly Come Dancing professionals
- Katya Jones
- AJ Pritchard
- Oti Mabuse
- Aljaž Škorjanec
- Diane Buswell
- Kevin Clifton
- Karen Clifton
- Anton Du Beke
- Giovanni Pernice
- Nancy Xu
- Janette Manrara
- Amy Dowden
- Gorka Marquez
- Graziano Di Prima
- Johannes Radebe
- Luba Mushtuk
- Nadiya Bychkova
- Neil Jones
Strictly Come Dancing returns Saturday at 7pm on BBC 1
