'We got on really well': Kevin Clifton candidly discusses his time on Strictly with now-girlfriend Stacey Dooley and how she 'manifested' his role in Singin' In The Rain
Kevin Clifton chatted to the Loose Women on Monday about appearing on Strictly Come Dancing with Stacey Dooley.
When asked whether the two of them got on on the BBC One show the professional dancer, 38, gushed about his documentary maker girlfriend, 34, recalling: 'We got on really well and she put loads of hours in.'
The pair were rumoured to be romantically linked as the series progressed, and eventually became official, and have been living together throughout the coronavirus pandemic.
Comeback: Kevin Clifton, 38, chatted to the Loose Women on Monday about appearing on Strictly Come Dancing with Stacey Dooley, 34, along with a possible judging role on the show and returning to musical theatre
Talking about their time on the show, he continued: 'She realised she was not as good as the others so started doing 8am - 10pm.'
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He was asked by Kaye Adams to explain how Stacey 'manifested' his new role as Cosmo in Singin' In The Rain.
He recalled: 'We were watching Singin' In The Rain on Christmas Day and Stace doesn't really know much about musical theatre like I do , it's not really on her radar.'
Throwback: Professional dancer, 38, gushed about his documentary maker girlfriend as he recalled that they 'got on really well'; pictured on the show in 2018
Stacey had apparently told Kevin that he should play the role of Cosmo when there was next have a production of the show.
He said on the show: 'I said, "yeah well I would love to, I'd die to play that role, it's such an iconic role"'
He continued: 'And the Make Em Laugh routine that he does I've watched on YouTube so many times'
He went on to reveal that only a couple of weeks later his agent called him to ask about what he thought of playing the role of Cosmo.
Kevin said that he wasn't sure whether he had got the role but Stacey was apparently 'sure' that he'd got it and that 'it was meant to be.'
New production: He was asked by the panel to explain how Stacey Dooley 'manifested' his new role as Cosmo in Singin' In The Rain
Dream character: He revealed on the show that he told Stacey that he would 'die' for the role of Cosmo
The performer went on to say that he's more appreciative of being on stage now, after the pandemic, and that he began to question what his purpose was when he couldn't get up on stage.
Talking about his appearance he said: ‘I used to worry about things like that, I used to wish I was taller, or I wish I had eight abs. I think as I’ve got older I’ve started feeling more comfortable in my skin.'
On whether he misses the enormous audience at Strictly compared with the smaller crowd on stage he said: 'You only see the studio audience. I loved the show, it’s been a massive part of my life and I still love and there’s still a part of me that says never say never, even going back to it in a different role.'
'If anyone wants to move aside I will happily be a judge on strictly come dancing'
Coincidence? Kevin then revealed that only a couple of weeks later his agent called him to ask about what he thought of playing the role of Cosmo
Hard times: The performer went on to say that he's more appreciative of being on stage now, after the pandemic. He began to question what his purpose was when he couldn't get up on stage
Joking with the panel, he said: 'Maybe Stacey can manifest it for me!'
Kevin is currently taking to the stage as Cosmo Brown alongside Steps star Faye Tozer, 45, who plays Lina Lamont.
The professional dancer performs high-energy routines during the show, which uses more than 14,000 litres of water on stage every night, with the story combining the charm, romance and wit of the 1952 film.
Meanwhile, Stacey is taking new steps in her career also, with the star reportedly set to host a new BBC cookery show, after being 'axed' from her makeover series Glow Up for breaking strict advertisement rules.
The television personality is said to have landed the presenting job for Hungry For It- a series which will search for up-and-coming talent in the culinary world.
It will be a second chance for Stacey, who was reportedly secretly let go from her Glow Up hosting gig after 'furious' BBC bosses discovered she had broken the broadcaster's rules by starring in a beauty ad.
Cute: Kevin said he hasn't ruled out taking up a judging role on Strictly, joking with the panel: 'Maybe Stacey can manifest it for me!'
The new series of the BBC One show is starting to gear up again as the full line up of new famous faces have been announced.
Joining the star-studded line up is presenter AJ Odudu, along will comedian Robert Webb, Olympian Adam Peaty, Dragon's Den star Sara Davies, and actress Nina Wadia.
Eastenders' Rose Ayling Ellis will be taking to the dancefloor with Corrie's Katie McGlynn, BBC Breakfast host Dan Walker, England rugby union star Ugo Monye, and TV presenter Rhys Stephenson.
Other famous faces include Loose Women panellist Judi Love, CBBC presenter Matilda Ramsay and McFly's Tom Fletcher.
Who will win the glitterball? The new series of the BBC One show is starting to gear up again as the full line up of new famous faces have been announced
STRICTLY COME DANCING 2021: WHO ARE THE CONTESTANTS?
TOM FLETCHER
Age: 36
Profession: McFly musician
Tom says: 'I’m so pleased the news is out it’s been so hard keeping it secret. Equal parts excited and terrified.'
Fun fact: Tom's McFly bandmate Harry Judd won Strictly Come Dancing in 2011. Tom's wife Giovanna Fletcher is the reigning champion of I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!
Age: 48
Profession: Actor and comedian
Robert says: 'It's very exciting but with a slight undertone of quivering terror.'
Fun Fact: Robert squeezed into a shiny leotard to take the title of Let's Dance For Comic Relief in 2009, performing What A Feeling from '80s film Flashdance, beating the likes of Keith Lemon and Paddy McGuinness to the title.
RHYS STEPHENSON
Age: 27
Profession: CBBC presenter
Rhys says: 'I have dreamt about being on this show, and I know for a fact that it is going to exceed every expectation'
Fun fact: Rhys has been an actor since the age of ten, performing alongside Matt Smith and Hugh Bonneville.
KATIE MCGLYNN
Age: 28
Profession: Actress
Katie says: 'I'm really not a dancer, but I'm so excited to learn a new skill on this crazy journey and cannot wait to slip into some sequins along the way.'
Fun fact: Katie, who played Sinead Tinker in Corrie, won a NTA for Best Serial Drama Performance in 2020.
TILLY RAMSAY
Age: 19
Profession: CBBC presenter
Tilly says: ’I'm going to put my heart and soul into this and can’t wait to get my dancing shoes on!'
Fun fact: Tilly's father is celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay and the pair often star in dancing TikTok videos.
NINA WADIA
Age: 52
Profession: Actress
Nina says: 'I think I should do this before I’m too old and can’t walk anymore. I just want to grab life by the horns and just enjoy it.'
Fun fact: Nina is a JDRF Ambassador and was awarded an OBE in the 2021 New Year's Honours List.
ADAM PEATY
Age: 26
Profession: Athlete
Adam says: 'I'm really looking forward to doing something totally different and challenging myself away from the pool.'
Fun fact: Adam becoming the first British swimmer to defend an Olympic title at Tokyo 2020.
UGO MONYE
Age: 38
Profession: Rugby player and sports pundit
Ugo says: 'What a dream come true! Strictly is the biggest entertainment show on TV and I can’t wait to show everyone I’ve got more than just dad dancing moves.
Fun fact: Beginning his rugby career at Harlequins in 2002, Ugo went on to make 241 appearances for the club where he scored 89 tries, won a Premiership and made his England debut in 2008.
AJ ODUDU
Age: 33
Profession: TV presenter
AJ says: 'I think it's going to be really challenging. I can't wait for the sequins, the wigs, the glitz and the glamour.'
Fun Fact: Apocalypse Wow hosts AJ has featured on a whopping 14 TV shows this year, competing in the likes oF Cooking With The Stars and Celebrity Karaoke Club. She has appeared as a panelist on Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two in the past, too.
JOHN WHAITE
Age: 33
Profession: Great British Bake Off Winner and TV chef
John says: 'I'm so grateful, excited, and nervous to be joining the Strictly 2021 family... I've been wearing sequins and jazzy attire since I was three years old and can't wait to hurl myself, full throttle, around the most glamorous dance floor on earth'
Fun Fact: John is set tp be part of the first ever all-male partnering - the first in 17 years of the show.
SARA DAVIES
Age: 37
Profession: Businesswoman
Sara says: 'I'm really nervous because so far the producers keep asking me if I can dance... Truth be told – I haven't got a clue! I've not danced since I did ballet lessons when I was little.'
Fun fact: Sara was the youngest ever dragon on BBC show Dragons' Den.
DAN WALKER
Age: 44
Profession: Journalist
Dan says: 'I'm enjoying the experience when it starts of learning to dance. I'll be honest I'm not making room on any shelves in my house for the glitterball.'
Fun fact: Dan recently quit Football Focus after 12 years at the helm and has been covering Tokyo Olympics.
GREG WISE
Age: 55
Profession: Actor
Greg says: 'It's about being out there and exposing yourself as someone who can't dance, and learning.'
Fun fact: Greg is married to the actress Emma Thompson who he met while filming Sense and Sensibility.
ROSE AYLING-ELLIS
Age: 30
Profession: Actress
Rose says: 'I hope I will do the deaf community proud and break down more barriers. I am also very excited to learn an incredible new skill.'
Fun fact: Rose will make history as Strictly's first deaf contestant.
JUDI LOVE
Age: 41
Profession: Comedienne
Judi says: 'I’m truly looking forward to pushing myself in something that I could have only dreamed of doing and now it’s actually coming true!'
Fun fact: Judi began comedy when she performed a set in front of her class for a degree module.
