Stacey Dooley has said boyfriend Kevin Clifton is “amazing” and the couple have turned down tens of thousands of pounds for interviews about their relationship.
The documentary film-maker met the professional dancer when they were partnered on the latest series of Strictly Come Dancing, which they won.
It was Kevin’s first series after splitting up from wife Karen, while Stacey was in a relationship with Sam Tucknott.
Stacey said: “Kev and I have agreed not to go into too much detail about our private lives because you can’t really indulge that and then ask for privacy.
“That’s why we’ve turned down interviews that have offered us tens of thousands of pounds.
“What I am happy to say is Kev’s amazing, I’m happy, life happens, I’ve got an amazing career and I’m very lucky.”
In April, she responded to Sam’s claims her romance with Kevin started while she was still with him, tweeting: “Anyone with any adult life experience knows there are two sides to every story.
“I haven’t got the time or energy to correct some of the utter nonsense I’ve read on here. Re Sam, I loved him very much and only wish him happiness and success going forward.”
Stacey also hit back at critics who claim she has given up on her serious work for life as a celebrity, saying: “I think that’s an unfair statement. When you win Strictly, you can go down two paths.
“All the offers come in and you can do very little work and put your name to things for lots of money, or you can go back to making documentaries in Syria and Nigeria and work really bloody hard.
“I said no to a lot of things I didn’t believe in. It’s not that I’m holier than thou, it’s just it wasn’t for me. I went back to the day job.”
Stacey added that she did not respond to jibes, saying: “I don’t give a f*** what they think. Some people don’t understand why I’m there. But our documentaries speak for themselves.”
