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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Entertainment
Lisa McLoughlin

Former Strictly Come Dancing star Kevin Clifton to return for special appearance

Former Strictly Come Dancing star Kevin Clifton is set to return to the BBC series next week.

The professional dancer, who announced in 2020 that he would leave the show, will first appear on Strictly spin-off It Takes Two for the Halloween edition.

Fleur East explained that Clifton will stand-in for his sister Joanne Clifton in Choreography Corner, which analyses the week's dancers.

The presenter confirmed: “Well Joanne you're off next week aren't you... Yes boys and ghouls, next week is Halloween”.

Sharing that there was a “spooky treat” in store for viewers, she added: “It's a scary time for our Strictly couples, made even more frightening because Kevin Clifton has risen again for Choreography Corner."

Clifton quit the show three years ago, and in an emotional statement he thanked the fans as well as his celebrity partners for their part in his Strictly journey.

He shared at the time: “To the entire Strictly family. The past seven years have been some of the most wonderful years of my life.

“I am grateful to the BBC and Strictly Come Dancing for giving me the opportunity to have been a part of something truly special.

“Since first being called 'Kevin From Grimsby' by Sir Bruce Forsyth in 2013, I have experienced the highs of five finals, winning a Guinness World Record on It Takes Two, the Strictly Arena tour Glitterball and then the ultimate of winning the 2018 series with Stacey Dooley."

Clifton pictured with his now partner Stacey Dooley after they won Strictly Come Dancing in 2018 (BBC)

He added: “After finishing last series with the Children In Need trophy and the Christmas Special I want to leave on a high and have therefore decided the time has come to move on and focus on other areas of my life and career.”

Since his departure, he appeared on the West End and welcomed a daughter, Minnie, with girlfriend and his former celebrity partner Stacey Dooley.

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