Former Strictly star Kevin Clifton says he REGRETS leaving the show as all his theatre work is on hold due to the coronavirus pandemic
Former Strictly champion has spoken of his regret over quitting the show now all his theatre work is on hold due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The professional dancer, 38, who won the show alongside girlfriend Stacey Dooley in 2018, announced he was leaving the show after seven years before lockdown.
However his starring role in Craig Revel Horwood’s West End musical Strictly Ballroom is currently postponed until 2021, with no signs of theatres reopening.
Too late? Former Strictly champion has spoken of his regret over quitting the show now all his theatre work is on hold due to the coronavirus pandemic
Speaking on his podcast, he said: ‘Who knows if I’ll go back to Strictly, never say never.
‘I think if I’ve learned anything it’s you never close the door.
‘You just don’t know how things are going to go.
Winners! Kevin’s last Strictly appearance on the show was during the December 2019 Christmas special alongside Debbie McGee
‘I thought I was going to be on stage all year and all of a sudden that’s not happening any more.’
Kevin’s last Strictly appearance on the show was during the December 2019 Christmas special alongside Debbie McGee.
The ballroom pro managed to leave the much-loved show on a high as the dancing duo were crowned winners of the annual special.
Taking it by storm: The professional dancer, 38, who won the show alongside girlfriend Stacey Dooley in 2018, announced he was leaving the show after seven years before lockdown
Kevin previously admitted he considered returning to the show after quitting.
He revealed he came close to making a surprise U-turn and returning to the professional lineup, but ‘didn’t want to look like an idiot.’
In September, Kevin told The Sunt: ‘There were a couple of conversations about it, like, is it worth talking about it?
Second thoughts: Kevin previously admitted he considered returning to the show after quitting
‘But then I thought, I’ve just made this big announcement. I don’t want to look like an idiot.
‘We’re having a constant conversation, and at the moment I feel I’ve pretty much done everything there is to do on the show.’
Sources claimed at the time that Kevin felt he had ‘outgrown’ the show, and he previously said he wanted to pursue new avenues of his career.
Kevin joined the Strictly lineup in 2013, and reached the final four times before finally being crowned series champion with Stacey Dooley in 2018.
His last series on the show saw him and presenter Anneka Rice be the second couple eliminated.
Leaving: His last series on the show saw him and presenter Anneka Rice be the second couple eliminated (pictured last year)