Kevin Clifton QUITS Strictly Come Dancing

He's released an emotional statement

Kevin Clifton

by Alex Ross |
Updated on

Since joining the show back in 2013, Kevin Clifton has become one of the most popular professionals on Strictly Come Dancing, but now the 37 year old has revealed he's quit the show.

Announcing the news on his social media accounts this afternoon [6th], Kevin told fans, "To the entire Strictly family, the past 7 years have been some of the most wonderful years of my life.

"I am grateful to the BBC and Strictly Come Dancing for giving me the opportunity to have been a part of something truly special."

He went on to say, "Since first being called ‘Kevin From Grimsby’ by Sir Bruce Forsyth in 2013 I have experienced the highs of 5 finals, winning a Guinness World record on It Takes Two, the Strictly Arena tour glitterball and then the ultimate of winning the 2018 series with Stacey Dooley.

"After finishing last series with the Children In Need trophy and the Christmas Special I want to leave on a high and have therefore decided the time has come to move on and focus on other areas of my life and career."

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Stacey and Kevin are in a relationship ©Getty Images

"I want to thank all of the pros for inspiring me every day as well as all of my celebrity partners. The whole team behind the scenes have made always made the Strictly family what it is and the loveliest show to work for.

"Thank you to anyone who has ever voted for me and my partners. It means the world. And a special thank you to Jason Gilkison for always believing in me," he continued.

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Stacey and Kevin in 2018 ©Getty Images

Kevin ended his message by saying, "To me Strictly always has been and always will be the best show on tv and has been an absolute dream and honour to be a part of.

"Pre 2013 I used to watch every week. Now I look forward to returning to being a fan and cheering on my friends who keep dancing."

Check out: the Strictly Come Dancing professional salaries****

Gallery

Strictly Professional salaries - SLIDER

Strictly salaries1 of 13
CREDIT: Getty

Gorka Marquez, £105,000

The lowest salary in the line up but certainly not one to be sniffed at, on top of Gorka's £50k Strictly salary last year he brought home an extra £35k for the Strictly Professionals live tour and £20k for the one off show, Here Come the Boys, with fellow dancer Aljaz Skorjanec.

Strictly salaries2 of 13
CREDIT: Getty

Anton Du Beke, £172,000

Proving that with age doesn't alway come wealth (although he's hardly broke) Anton Du Beke takes home a cool £172k after his £50k Strictly salary, thanks to his own professional tour (£65k) and regular weekend work at Alton Towers (£12k).

Strictly salaries3 of 13
CREDIT: Getty

Aljaz Skorjanec and Janette Manrara, £290,000 combined

Married couple Aljaz Skorjanec and Janette Manrara have an estimated household income of nearly £300k, thanks to their combined salaries from Strictly and the live tour. They've also raked in some extra cash from various P&O Ferry cruises.

Strictly salaries4 of 13
CREDIT: Getty

Motsi Mabuse, £325,000

New recruit Motsi, sister of Oti, was offered a starting salary of £200,00 when she joined the Strictly Come Dancing judging panel for this season. The German dance school she runs with husband Evgenij Voznyuk and her contract with German Weight Watchers brings home some extra bacon.

Strictly salaries5 of 13
CREDIT: Getty

Neil and Katya Jones, £334,000 combined

They may no longer be married, but in previous years Neil and Katya Jones have raked in a combined amount of over £340k. On top of their £100k joint salary, ticket sales from their stage show Somnium, as well as P&O Cruise and Alton Towers contracts, raked in plenty more cash for the former lovers.

Strictly salaries6 of 13
CREDIT: Getty

Kevin Clifton, £350,000

Reigning champ Kevin Clifton, who's currently dating his dance partner from last year Stacey Dooley, is thought to have pocketed up to £10k A WEEK last year appearing as the star name in dance shows Rock of Ages and Burn the Floor. He's also been working on new business ventures like starting his podcast and recording an album, which are sure to make him some extra £££'s.

Strictly salaries7 of 13
CREDIT: Getty

AJ Pritchard, £360,000

AJ is something of the Darling of Strictly Come Dancing, and his hefty paypacket is testament to that. On top of his Strictly salary, he's also starred on plenty of reality shows like Celebrity Hunted and Celebrity Masterchef. His work on the Strictly live shows makes him an extra £70k, as well as his work on Panto where he's thought to earn £100k.

Strictly salaries8 of 13
CREDIT: Getty

Oti Mabuse, £410,000

Returning for her fourth year this year, Oti is thought to earn just over £400k with her Strictly salary and The Professionals tour money. She also works as a judge on The Greatest Dancer with Cheryl and Matthew Morrison, not forgetting her various reality TV work.

Strictly salaries9 of 13
CREDIT: Getty

Shirley Ballas, £500,000

Head judge Shirley Ballas began on a meagre £180k – but negotiated a pay rise, bringing her Strictly salary up to a whopping quarter of a million quid per series. She's also earning a pretty penny from appearing on Panto each year, and teaching at a dance school in Streatham, South London.

Strictly salaries10 of 13
CREDIT: Getty

Tess Daly, £570,000

Tess is thought to earn £150k for her presenting role on Strictly Come Dancing, but a number of other work commitments hike her yearly income up to well over half a million quid. She also presents Children in Need each year and was a brand ambassador for global mega brands L'Oreal and Pandora.

Strictly salaries11 of 13
CREDIT: Getty

Craig Revel Horwood, £655,000

He might be the "lowest paid" judge on the panel, but residents Mr Nasty Craig certainly makes up for his "lacking" salary with his various other sources of income. For one, he is the main choreographer for the Strictly Live Tour, thought to earn him around £200k a year, as well as his work in Panto and renting out property.

Strictly salaries12 of 13
CREDIT: Getty

Claudia Winkleman, £829,000

Claudia is apparently the highest paid woman on the BBC's books so it's no wonder her yearly income is nearly £1m. On top of her £150k Strictly salary – the same as co-host Tess Daly's – she also earns a pretty penny for her Radio shows and various other BBC commitments. Other major sources of income are her big bucks beauty partnerships, including Head & Shoulders and No 7 at Boots.

Strictly salaries13 of 13
CREDIT: Getty

Bruno Tonioli, £1.85 Million

Top of the leaderboard (in the salary stakes) is Italian Stallion Bruno, who is the highest paid judge, with a Strictly salary of £250k. However, it's rumoured the quarter of a million paypacket isn't enough for Bruno, who earns SIX TIMES THAT judging on the American version, Dancing with the Stars.

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Kevin's girlfriend, Stacey Dooley, who he started dating after meeting on the show in 2018, commented on his post. She wrote, "I could burst with pride ❤️ Undeniably, the most successful pro on Strictly. Won everything, treated everyone with respect and kindness, worked SO bloody hard and now, leaving on a high. You will always be the King of Strictly ❤️."

Following his announcement, the BBC commented, saying, "Kevin has been such a brilliant part of Strictly for the past seven years. From reaching the final an impressive five times, to lifting the glitterball with Stacey Dooley in 2018, he has provided the show with some fantastic moments, through his exceptional talent as a dancer and choreographer.

"He will be hugely missed by fans and by his Strictly family. He will always be our Kevin from Grimsby."

We will certainly miss Kevin! 😭

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