Stacey Dooley has shared the reason why her partner, Kevin Clifton “won’t dance” with her anymore. The couple met when they were partnered up on the 2018 edition of Strictly Come Dancing. They started dating soon after the show and gave birth to their first child Minnie in January 2023.
Earlier this year, the couple announced they will star together in a new production of hit play 2:22: A Ghost Story. The tour will see the happy couple reunite in a professional capacity for the first time since they won the BBC dancing show.
2:22 is penned by John Robins and has been a West End smash hit with more than thirty productions across the globe. The supernatural thriller sees a character named Jenny try to convince her husband and their two dinner guests that her home is haunted by a ghost who arrives at 2:22am each night.
Stacey and Kevin recently appeared on ITV’s This Morning, where they chatted to hosts Dermot O’Leary and Alison Hammond about their upcoming venture.
When asked how it feels to be back working together, Kevin said: “I thought it was going to be a bit more awkward. That first day I thought we’d be having to get over it a little bit; you know, when you’re being really serious with each other but you know each other from home, so you start giggling like you’re in school. I thought that’s what it was going to be like, but it’s been wicked, actually, hasn’t it.”
Speaking to Stacey, who already starred in the play last year, Kevin said: “You’re very professional.” Stacey told Alison and Dermot: “I did the play last year, so I was sort of familiar with it anyway.
“So it gives you a bit more confidence going in because it’s not my world, theatre’s not my world, but I so enjoyed the experience, and when the idea of the tour came up, it was sort of a no-brainer.” She added: “So the gang, all of us, we’re going on tour.”
Alison Hammond asked what they plan to do with their two-year-old daughter, Minnie, while they go on tour. Stacey explained: “We’re dragging her along, she’s a good sport. Because she’s always been on the move, she’s quite adaptable.”
She said it feels like the right time to travel around the country before Minnie starts school and gets more “tied down.” She said: “Now’s the time to be doing it.”
The 38-year-old TV star reiterated how the tour felt special, being able to do it with her partner and bring their child along for the adventure. She added: “My mum’s coming, and Kev’s mum is coming so it’s a real family affair.”
Alison Hammond asked the couple if they still enjoy dancing in the kitchen, since they triumphed on the BBC show seven years ago. Stacey quickly joked: “Kev won’t dance unless he’s being paid.”
While Kevin laughed at the comment, Stacey shared she does enjoy dancing in the house with Minnie. She said: “I love dancing round the house, we put the radio on in the morning. Sometimes we have you on Dermot on Radio 2 and the baby will be dancing around, she loves it.”