Stacey Dooley has uploaded the first picture of herself with Strictly Come Dancing’s Kevin Clifton since news of their alleged romance broke two weeks ago. The 32-year-old documentary maker shared the adorable snap of the two of them hugging on Instagram, seemingly confirming their relationship. In the photograph, Kevin, 36, is captured holding the presenter’s hand as they stood beside a brick wall. Appearing blissfully happy, the twosome, who wore matching ensembles, smiled widely as they looked off camera.
Kevin shared an identical picture on his personal account following his performance in the Burn the Floor show.
The ballroom star paid tribute to the television favourite during the opening night of the West End dance show.
According to the Daily Mirror, he told the crowd: “In the last couple of years I’ve seen massive upheaval in my personal life and it hasn’t always been easy.
“There have been a lot of things thrown at me. At times I’ve struggled. And the times I’ve struggled and I was in a bit of a rut I didn’t know what to do.”
The Grimsby-born performer went on to admit he is not the the best at “dealing with” negative publicity about his personal life, before thanking the tour producers for bringing him back to a place where things “felt right” again.
He then praised Stacey, who he won the Strictly Glitterball trophy with last year, for making him a champion of the BBC One competition.
Holding the Glitterball trophy, Kevin added: “Thanks to Miss Stacey Dooley, I can finally say I’m the Strictly champion after six years of trying. It’s a miracle.”
Stacey and Kevin made headlines when the former split with her personal trainer boyfriend, Sam Tucknott, following five years of dating, after her Strictly stint.
Sam, 30, recently opened up about the break-up, claiming he found texts on Stacey’s phone from Kevin and alleged she told him she had fallen for him.
The journalist later hit back, branding “some” of the claims “utter nonsense” on Twitter and encouraged people to be open-minded.
“Anyone with any adult life experience knows there are two sides to every story,” she began.
“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.”
Meanwhile, Kevin previously separated with his wife and Strictly co-star, Kevin Clifton, who he married in July 2015.
The couple confirmed their split in March 2018, however, they continued to work together as professional dancers.
Currently, Karen is dating opera singer David Webb and she is yet to comment on her ex-husband’s alleged new romance with Stacey.