Louise Redknapp: Jamie Redknapp’s ex looked ‘part of Kevin Clifton’s family’ at dinner

Louise Redknapp, 44, reunited with her dance partner, Kevin Clifton, 36, this week, two years after they danced together on Strictly Come Dancing. The duo were joined by Kevin’s parents at the Humber Royal Hotel for their annual Clifton’s Dance Academy Annual Christmas Ball. According to Grimsby Live, onlookers described Louise as “very much part of the family” at the bash. Kevin and Louise performed two routines for the 200 guests at the gala.

Louise has since revealed why she reunited with Kevin as she told Grimsby Live: “It was Kev’s mum and dad who asked me to come when I last saw them in the summer.

“We went back in the training room and have had four hours of training to get ready!”

She also opened up on how Kevin had helped her build her confidence back up during their time on Strictly.

“When I started my confidence wasn’t there,” she told the publication. “I hadn’t danced for 15 years. Kevin isn’t just a good teacher, but a choreographer.”

A representative for Kevin told Express.co.uk why his Strictly dance partner for the current series was not in attendance, which saw Louise reunite with Kevin.

They said Stacey had prior commitments from before her Strictly journey began, adding: “Louise is a family friend and was due to do this in 2016 but unfortunately couldn’t make this work so when asked by Judy and Keith Clifton in the summer, she jumped at the chance.”

Kevin lifted the Glitterball Trophy on Saturday night after competing in his fifth final with celebrity partner Stacey Dooley, 31.

Despite the pair being at the bottom of the leaderboard, the dancing duo beat fellow finalists Ashley Roberts, 37, Faye Tozer, 43, and Joe Sugg, 27, to be crowned champions.

Kevin and Louise formed a close bond as they were partnered together on the dancing show in 2016.

At the end of last year, Louise and her ex-husband Jamie Redknapp, 45, announced their divorce after 19 years of marriage.

The former couple share two sons together, Charley, 14, and Beau 10.

Kevin and fellow Strictly profession Karen Clifton confirmed their separation earlier this year.

Speaking on BBC Radio 2 Kevin said: “Privately we are not together anymore but professional we are stronger than ever before.

“We’re still the best of friends — we still have a lot of love and respect for each other,” he continued.

“What we’ve found is that since we’ve been honest with each other it’s unlocked our creativity.”

Strictly Come Dancing 2018 final is available to watch on BBC iPlayer now.

source: express.co.uk