Kevin Clifton vowed to return to Strictly Come Dancing – as he and Stacey Dooley made their first public outing together.
The couple, who won the last series, strolled around London after confirming their romance last month.
Calling on fans to ignore “nonsense” claims he could lose his role on the show, he said: “I will be returning to Strictly this year.”
He was speaking on stage during Saturday night’s performance of his tour Burn The Floor.
Kevin, 36, said unlike his fellow Strictly pros, who can “go all night” dancing, “I’m not as young as I used to be.”
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Yesterday, Stacey, 32, cheered her boyfriend from the audience as Kevin credited her for helping him become Strictly’s “reigning champion”.
He added on Sunday: “I’ve been reading for about four months that I’ve quit Strictly or that I’ve been sacked... I’ve no idea where it’s come from.”
Kevin split from his wife Karen last year, while documentary-maker Stacey split from Sam Tucknott after dancing on the BBC show.
Personal trainer Sam called Kevin a “snake” after learning of the romance.
