BBC Strictly Come Dancing favourites Kevin Clifton and Stacey Dooley were instantly smitten upon seeing their new home, prompting their move. The couple, who found romance on the dance floor during the sixteenth series of the BBC show and subsequently won the Glitterball trophy, have been an item since 2019 and became parents last year to their daughter Minnie.
Kevin revealed that 2023 brought significant changes for their family, including a relocation to Liverpool to be nearer to Stacey’s mother. He shared how a casual online search for houses by Stacey led to their swift decision to move up north so that Minnie could grow up close to her grandmother.
Upon visiting a property in Merseyside, they knew it was meant to be their new home. Kevin told the Liverpool Echo: “Stacey loves looking at houses on the internet. Looking at interiors and stuff is her favourite thing to do.”
Get the latest news straight to your phone by joining us on WhatsApp
“She just happened to have seen something she liked and thought ‘oh it’s not too far away from my mum’. We went and had a look and the second she walked in was like ‘I love it and I can really see us living here’. It all happened really quickly and we love it.”
He also expressed his delight at the prospect of their daughter being raised in Liverpool. Kevin Clifton, currently starring in the acclaimed musical ‘Everybody’s Talking About Jamie’, is set to thrill audiences at the Liverpool Empire starting today, April 22. The show, a West End hit, will run at the iconic venue until April 27.
Kevin, aged 41, expressed his excitement about performing for what he anticipates will be an enthusiastic local crowd. He remarked: “In Liverpool, the crowd want to go and have a good time. Liverpool is one of them audiences that as soon as the lights go down, there’s a big cheer because they’re already there to enjoy themselves.”
“It’s a feelgood energetic show and the audiences enjoy themselves anyway so I think when we get to Liverpool, we’re going to take the roof off. That’s why I think this show is going to be special. Usually Stacey would come on one of the first couple of weeks [of the tour] but she’s waiting to come in Liverpool, bring some friends and her mum’s side of the family.”
While Kevin has been busy touring with the show, his partner Stacey Dooley has been away filming a documentary in America, limiting their time to settle into their new home. Despite this, Kevin has felt a warm welcome from Liverpudlians, contrasting it with his experiences in London.
He shared: “It sounds like I’m pandering but I’m being honest. It’s just the people. When you get an Uber in London, they’re already annoyed they have to drive you.”
“[In Liverpool] you get in an Uber and you’re just chatting along to the driver the whole way. I love it. Everyone chats to you in a normal, friendly way which was not my experience in London. We haven’t spent enough time here yet so we need recommendations.”
Kevin had planned to take a break from work after his tour with Strictly Ballroom last year, but he couldn’t resist the opportunity to be part of Everybody’s Talking About Jamie. He said: “It’s one of them shows that means so much to loads of people.”
“There’s shows that will live forever like Phantom of the Opera, Les Miserables and Wicked – but it’s very rare a new piece of work comes along and instantly becomes one of the big guns and a classic. It ticks all the boxes with great music, characters and dancing. It’s funny and has such a lovely message about inclusion, acceptance, family and friendship.”
“There’s no weak link in the show. To be part of a show like that is really wonderful.”
Kevin was a key part of the Strictly cast from 2013 – 2019 before he quit to focus on his career in theatre after he had achieved everything he could on the show. The dancer harbours a deep appreciation for the opportunities Strictly presented him and said he would only consider coming back if something new is on the table.
He went on to say: “The only thing left for me to do is a same sex partnership and they were on the brink of doing that. It was definitely something they were considering moving forward but said ‘at this moment we can’t guarantee it would be you’.”
He expressed his passion for acting and singing, and whilst he doesn’t see himself returning to the show at this time, he hasn’t ruled out the possibility, suggesting he may even join as a judge in the future.
Kevin, now, is focussing on balancing his professional pursuits with fatherhood as he anticipates his new life in Liverpool. He revealed: “Stacey’s working on all different things and I’ve got my theatre stuff so we’re just trying to balance it all the best we can while looking after Minnie, whose now one, which just feels ridiculous.”
Even though Kevin and Stacey’s love story sparked on the dancefloor, he doesn’t wish for his daughter to tread on the same path. However, Kevin finds himself on the losing side of this hope already, as Minnie seems quite fascinated by the Strictly music whenever it airs on television and jests about his worst fears potentially coming true following their move to Liverpool.
In a light-hearted extension, he noted: “It’s funny because I was like I don’t want her to be a ballroom dancer and go through everything like I did. People asked ‘would you rather her be a ballroom dancer or a Liverpool fan’ and I was like for God’s sake.”
Kevin, a staunch Scunthorpe United supporter, conceded that Stacey’s allegiance to Liverpool might influence their daughter, chuckling as he said: “My instinct is she’s not going to be a Scunny fan but I’m going to try my best. She’s already got the Liverpool kit and I’ve got a feeling that’s going to happen.”
“But her great grandad is an Everton fan so it’s a big fight in the family of who’s going to claim Minnie’s football team.” The hit musical Everybody is Talking about Jamie will be gracing the stage at the Liverpool Empire from April 22 – 27.
EMEA Tribune is not involved in this news article, it is taken from our partners and or from the News Agencies. Copyright and Credit go to the News Agencies, email [email protected] Follow our WhatsApp verified Channel
