Kevin Clifton has admitted he got his timing horribly wrong after he quit Strictly Come Dancing days before the coronavirus pandemic kicked in.
The professional dancer, who won the series alongside his now-girlfriend Stacey Dooley in 2018, announced news of his departure in early March.
After winning the series in 2018, Kevin left the BBC dancefloor behind to realise his dreams in the West End.
But the world was plunged into chaos days later - and lockdown soon arrived.
With it came devastation for the performing arts with theatres closed and fearing for their future.
Kevin, 38, joined the BBC show's professional line-up in 2013 and says he wishes things were different as the new series began with a bang.
“Who knows if I’ll go back to Strictly, never say never," he said on his podcast.
"I think if I’ve learned anything it’s you never close the door. You just don’t know how things are going to go.
“I thought I was going to be on stage all year and all of a sudden that’s not happening any more.
His lead role in musical Strictly Ballroom - directed by Craig Revel Horwood - is now on hold.
Announcing the news of his exit on social media, he wrote: "To the entire Strictly family,
"The past 7 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 5 finals, winning a Guinness World record on It Takes Two, the Strictly Arena tour glitterball and then the ultimate of winning the 2018 series.
"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.
"I want to thank all of the pros for inspiring me every day as well as all of my celebrity partners. The whole team behind the scenes have made always made the Strictly family what it is and the loveliest show to work for.
"Thank you to anyone who has ever voted for me and my partners. It means the world.
