Strictly Come Dancing 2018 winners Stacey Dooley, 31, and Kevin Clifton, 36, spoke in a joint interview about winning the show and a confrontation with outspoken judge Craig Revel Horwood, 53. The pair were quizzed about a particular face Kevin pulled at Craig after he gave them a nine in their final Paso Doble performance. Addressing the expression, the BBC star said: “Good for you, Kev!” Explaining the reason behind it, Kevin added to this week’s OK! Magazine: “Yeah. He always seems to come down on my partner and me in the final, so I was like no, not again!
“But I saw him at the wrap party afterwards and I was like: ‘Craig, man, you were killing us there,’ and he just laughed.”
Stacey added: “He was on great form – as good as gold.”
Despite obtaining lower scores from Craig than their fellow finalists, the duo went on to win the Glitterball trophy.
Following their win, Stacey spoke out about her lack of 10s in the final in a tweet exchange with former judge and winner Alesha Dixon.
The latter tweeted Stacey writing: “Don’t worry @StaceyDooley I don’t think Craig EVER gave me a 10!!! Still a winner #strictlyfinal.”
Stacey replied: “My girl… I never got a 40, but who wants to be perfect anyway? Merry Christmas darlin.”(sic)
Many of the BBC star’s 251,000 followers flocked to her page to comment.
One user wrote: “I loved that, in the end it’s what the public think.”
Another agreed, writing: “Obviously the NATION thought you were PERFECT, and quite frankly MY DEAR, it was what the NATION thought that counted!”
Following her triumph, Stacey co-presented last month’s BBC New Year’s Eve concert alongside Joe Sugg, 27.
The pair teased the news on Twitter and also shared a behind-the-scenes video ahead of the show.
Within the clip, Stacey told Joe not to get too close as he zoomed in on her backstage.
Joe, who sported a smart black suit, began the video telling the camera: “So as you can see I’m looking all dapper.”
The Youtube star then zoomed in on Stacey who was wearing a silver dress and smokey eye make-up.
She said: “I look so fancy”, but as Joe zoomed in further she jokingly warned him: “Not too close Joe Sugg.”
He replied: “Stunner, absolute stunner.”
Read the full interview in this week’s OK! Magazine out now.