Stacey Dooley and Strictly partner Kevin Clifton make exciting joint announcement
BBC Strictly professional Kevin Clifton has shared an update with fans over a huge 'first' with his long-term partner Stacey Dooley, seven years after the pair won the ITV show. The couple have lived a happy life together since they were dance partners on the 2018 series of Strictly, and they share a daughter together.
Documentary journalist Stacey and dancer Kevin are set to work together for the first time since their Strictly triumph. The pair announced back in March that they are going to be hitting the stage together in the critically acclaimed, smash hit, supernatural thriller 2:22 - A Ghost Story.
The play's extensive UK-wide tour opens at Manchester Opera House on August 4, and will continue through to November. There will be a second leg of the tour running from January 8 - June 20 2026, with casting to be announced, reports Manchester Evening News.
Returning to the role of Jenny following a limited run at the Gielgud Theatre in 2024, Stacey will perform alongside Kevin who will play Jenny's husband, Sam.
With just weeks to go until the tour opens, Kevin and Stacey have been seen heading into rehearsals.
Alongside a picture of the pair on Instagram, former Strictly pro Kevin said: "Day 1 back working with this little fella again. Last time was 7 years ago @sjdooley @222aghoststory."
And fans were quick to share their excitement. @bizzielizzie39 said: "Can't wait to watch you both in it, coming to Manchester next month." @andielcfcsutton wrote: "Can't wait to see you both in it."
@kaz_evs commented: "Coming to see you in Bristol and am more than excited!" @susancronshaw added: "Looking forward to seeing you in August in Manchester."
The news of the couple's rehearsing comes after Kevin opened up about what it could be like working with his real-life partner.
Even though Stacey, 38, has learnt to leave her characters - including Jenny - at the stage door, Kevin, 42, has to "live and breath" his characters and, therefore, may bring Sam home with them.
Speaking on the latest episode of the All That Chat podcast, Kevin admitted: "We're not a very argumentative couple - touch wood - we don't argue a lot.
"I'm sure it'll be fine. But also, Stace and me are very different in that Stace can very much go do her job, do it great, and then leave it at the door and come home.
"Whereas I'm a bit obsessive and I have to live and breathe the character. I'll probably bring the character home, which might get interesting. It could be the ending of us."
Kevin thinks it will be tricky to act with Stacey on stage.
He explained: "When it's your partner in front of you who knows everything about you and all your insecurities and then you start playing this character in front of them ... it's going to be weird. I'm going to have to get over doing it in front of Stace, and she's going to have to get over doing it in front of me."
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