Professional dancer Kevin Clifton shocked Strictly Come Dancing fans when he announced he was quitting the show after seven years earlier this month.
Following his departure, girlfriend Stacey Dooley was forced to deny rumours she’d influenced his decision after it was reported she thought he was “too big” for the show.
But Kevin’s now broken his silence about why he quit, revealing the real reason behind his departure during the latest episode of The Kevin Clifton Podcast.
Admitting that age was a factor in his decision, the 37-year-old revealed he’s looking for “new challenges”.
He explained, “I've achieved everything I wanted to achieve on the show now, in terms of winning all the trophies, but also in terms of having such an array of different celebrities.
“I'm always looking for new challenges. I'm always looking to learn and grow all the time.”
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1 of 131. Ann Widdecombe as Big Bird
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3 of 133. Gavin Henson snogging Bruno Tonioli
4 of 134. Mark Ramprakash getting tangled up with his partner Karen Hardy
5 of 135. Russell Grant emerging from a seashell
6 of 136. Nancy Dell'Olio's terrible Halloween performance
7 of 137. Quentin Wilson gets the lowest score ever. Erm, 8 out of 40...
8 of 139. Ann Widdecombe's Paso Doble
9 of 1310. John Sergeant's wasn't much better, mind you...
10 of 1311. Bruce Forsyth and Anton du Beck join forces
11 of 13Russell Grant gets shot out of a cannon
12 of 1312. Ed Balls' EPIC Gangnam Style routine
13 of 1313. Susan Calman totally killing it as Wonder Woman
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Kevin continued, “If I was 23, it would be different. I'd be looking at Strictly as, 'I can stay on this for the next 10/15 years?' At 37, I'm thinking, 'I'm going to turn 38 in the next series. If it's going to be a similar season to something I've already done in some way...
"I don't see myself doing this into my 40s. I'm going to have to leave at some point, so there has to come a point where I say, ‘now's the time’.”
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Kevin has already revealed his first post-Strictly job – he’s heading to the stage to perform in Strictly Ballroom: The Musical.
Announcing the news on Instagram, he posted a promo picture for the musical, adding, "The secret’s out... I’ve swapped one ballroom for another! From September 2020 I’ll be waltzing around the UK & Ireland as Scott Hastings in @strictlyballroomtouruk. I can’t wait for this next chapter to begin. Hope to see u all there!"
Meanwhile, Gorka Marquez is reportedly set to return to Strictly to replace Kevin after being dropped from the main professional line-up for the last series.
A source told The Sun, “Gorka made no secret of his annoyance about being dropped. He knows he’s popular with viewers and had his nose put out of joint.
“Gorka has since been told he’ll be coming back into the fold and he’s elated. Bosses knew he was upset by their decision and the public made their feelings clear.”