Stacey Dooley’s close pals have reportedly warned her not to pursue a relationship with Kevin Clifton as they fear that a romance with the 36-year-old dance pro could affect her image and damage her career.
Stacey and Kevin are thought to be dating after her ex-boyfriend Sam Tucknott claimed that he found ‘secret texts’ from the Strictly Come Dancing star on her phone but this has led to concerns from friends of the documentary presenter.
“Stacey has plenty of work on at the moment and her agents don’t want that to be affected in the wake of the scandal,” a source close to Stacey told The Sun.
“They’ve quietly suggested that the recent stories could be bad for her image and hope that she will listen to the advice.
“Stacey does what she wants at the end of the day but they think it’s best if she keeps a low profile and that means staying away from Kevin for now.”
RADIO Strictly Come Dancing couples - slider with cover pic
1 of 12Swipe through to see which couples found love on Strictly Come Dancing...
2 of 12Natasha Kaplinsky and Brendan Cole
On the first ever series of Strictly back in 2001, news reader Natasha Kaplinsky and professional dancer Brendan Cole were paired together.Despite both being in other relationships at the time, both Natasha and Brendan called off their romances and started dating after the series finished. Their relationship didn't last long though, and they are now both happily married to other people.
3 of 12Ali Bastian and Brian Fortuna
It was love at first sight for former Hollyoaks actress Ali Bastian and her Strictly partner Brian Fortuna in 2009. With the pair both single at the time, Ali and Brian started a relationship, only for it to end the following year.
4 of 12Joe Calzaghe and Kristina Rihanoff
When boxer Joe Calzaghe appeared on the show in 2009, he announced to the press that his relationship with his partner Jo-Emma Larvin had come to an end, just one week into his Strictly journey. Joe's professional dance partner Kristina Rihanoff was more than a shoulder to cry on, with the pair starting a romance. They went on to date for four years after show, before announcing their split.
5 of 12Ben Cohen and Kristina Rihanoff
After her relationship with Joe Calzaghe fell apart, Kristina later met another Strictly contestant, England rugby ace Ben Cohen. Both Ben and Kristina have denied rumours that Ben was still with his ex-wife Abby Blayney at the time they started dating, with the pair claiming they didn't get together until a year later. Things are going well however, the pair now share a daughter together called Milena and are in a happy relationship.
6 of 12Kara Tointon and Artem Chigvintsev
After her split from Joe Swash, actress Kara Tointon appeared on the 2010 series of Strictly and mended her broken heart with a little help from professional dancer Artem Chigvintsev.Despite this, things didn't work out for the couple and Kara is now loved-up with her boyfriend Marius Jensen, with rumours suggesting she could be pregnant with the couple's first child.
7 of 12Rachel Riley and Pasha Kovalev
When Countdown presenter Rachel Riley appeared on Strictly in 2013 she was married to her ex-husband Jamie Gilbert. However, after just 16 months of marriage, the pair announced they were set for divorce in November 2016. Fast-forward to 2016 and Rachel revealed she was in a relationship with her 2013 Strictly partner Pasha Kovalev... And they are still together!
8 of 12Georgia May Foote and Giovanni Pernice
Georgia May Foote was dating her Coronation Street co-star Sean Ward when she joined the show in 2015. But when rumours circulated that the couple's relationship wasn't going well, they split in December 2015. Georgia was then spotted getting very cosy with her Strictly partner Giovanni, with the pair enjoying a holiday to Disneyland Paris for New Year.Despite this, the couple ended their relationship in August 2016.
9 of 12Dianne Buswell and Joe Sugg
After weeks of rumours, Joe Sugg appeared to confirm his relationship with Strictly Come Dancing partner Dianne Buswell with a photo on Instagram, the caption read, 'I may not have won the glitter ball, but I've won something a million times more special.'
10 of 12Gemma Atkinson and Gorka Marquez
Radio presenter Gemma Atkinson and professional dancer Gorka Marquez were first linked in the 2017 series, and got together whilst on the 2018 annual tour together. They moved in together in December 2018.
11 of 12Giovanni Pernice and Ashley Roberts
Professional dancer Giovanni Pernice and Pussycat Doll Ashley Roberts were forced to deny they were dating during the 2018 series, but Giovanni confirmed the relationship in January 2019.In January 2020, the duo confirmed they'd split.
12 of 12Caroline Flack and AJ Pritchard
Official news on whether these two are dating is yet to be confirmed, but 2014 Strictly winner Caroline Flack was spotted kissing professional dancer AJ Pritchard at the 2019 NTAs.
Stacey’s ex Sam revealed that she had ‘fallen for’ Kevin in a furious interview last week, branding the dancer a ‘slippery, slimy’ snake.
WATCH Strictly Come Dancing star Katie Piper talks more kids, fitness and home life
READ MORE celeb news
Cheryl and son Bear ‘move out of Liam Payne’s mansion’ nine months after split
Inquest rules cause of Love Island star Sophie Gradon’s death
Eastenders actor Danny Walters apologises for homophobic tweets
She then broke her silence with a statement on Twitter, neither confirming nor denying Sam’s claims.
She wrote: "Anyone with any adult life experience knows there are 2 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 v much and only wish him happiness and success going forward."
Stacey is currently in America filming a new documentary while Kevin remains in the UK touring his show Burn The Floor.
Closer Online have contacted Stacey’s representatives for comment.