{"id":236929,"date":"2023-09-26T15:55:09","date_gmt":"2023-09-26T15:55:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lovemainstream.com\/?p=236929"},"modified":"2023-09-26T15:55:09","modified_gmt":"2023-09-26T15:55:09","slug":"why-kevin-clifton-is-coming-back-to-strictly-after-quitting-four-years-ago","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lovemainstream.com\/celebrities\/why-kevin-clifton-is-coming-back-to-strictly-after-quitting-four-years-ago\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Kevin Clifton is coming back to Strictly after quitting four years ago"},"content":{"rendered":"

Strictly Come Dancing legend Kevin Clifton is set to make a sensational return to the show this year – four years after he dramatically quit the series.<\/p>\n

Kevin, 40, joined Strictly, which has already seen a shock ratings fall this year, in 2013 and immediately made a big impression.<\/p>\n

In his first year, he was paired with TV personality Susanna Reid and made it all the way to the final before finishing in second place.<\/p>\n

He then made the final again in 2014 with ex-popstar Frankie Bridge, in 2015 with soap star Kellie Bright and in 2016 with TV presenter Louise Redknapp.<\/p>\n

However, each time he came nail-bitingly close to a win before finishing in second place.<\/p>\n


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Kevin eventually lifted the Glitterball Trophy in 2018 with his now-girlfriend, documentary presenter Stacey Dooley.<\/p>\n

For series 17 in 2019, Kevin danced with journalist Anneka Rice, but the duo finished in a disappointing 14th place. <\/p>\n

Fans were devastated to see Kevin leave the show behind after that, but will no doubt be over the moon to learn that he\u2019s returning – this time in a totally different capacity.<\/p>\n

He\u2019s replacing resident choreography expert, and his own sister, Joanne Clifton, on Strictly spin-off It Takes Two this year.<\/p>\n

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This is because Joanne, 39, is away touring with Shrek: The Musical \u2013 so she's handed the reigns to her baby brother for the series.<\/p>\n

Kevin will now appear on the spin-off show weekly to give advice to dancers who, with a bit of luck, will be hoping to lift the Glitterball Trophy.<\/p>\n

Although some fans were over the moon to see one of the show\u2019s most successful pros ever make a comeback, others slammed the decision to bring him back after his controversial exit.<\/p>\n

One fan on X wrote, \u201cI have to see Kevin Clifton? Ew,\u201d while another said, \u201cI can\u2019t believe I have to see Love Rat Kevin again. Think I need a trigger warning.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Kevin confirmed he was dating his former dance partner Stacey Dooley, 36, in early 2019 – but not everyone was happy with the relationship.<\/p>\n

Stacey\u2019s ex, 33-year-old personal trainer Sam Tucknott, accused the documentary presenter of having \u201can affair\u201d with Kevin.<\/p>\n

Sam branded Kevin a \u201cf****ing rat\u201d and said that he had \u201cno respect\u201d for the dancer, who he blames for breaking up his relationship.<\/p>\n

Stacey claims that although she did \u201cfall for\u201d Kevin, it wasn\u2019t until her relationship with Sam ended and nothing untoward happened while they were still together.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n