Exclusive: Strictly star Kevin Clifton confirms 'career break' plans

kevin clifton on strictly it takes two
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Strictly Come Dancing star Kevin Clifton has revealed plans to "take a break" from his performing work in a bid to spend more time with his daughter Minnie Dooley.

The professional dancer welcomed Minnie, his first child, with his girlfriend and fellow Strictly star Stacey Dooley earlier this year.

However, Clifton confessed he's been busy non-stop in recent months and hopes to end the year with his family.

Speaking exclusively with Digital Spy, Clifton admitted he plans to take a career break later on in 2023 once his tour of Strictly Ballroom The Musical has drawn to a close.

kevin clifton and stacey dooley
Dave J Hogan - Getty Images

Related: Strictly's Amy Dowden shares update on show future amid cancer battle

"I left Strictly Come Dancing and then COVID happened," he explained. "Then since we came out of COVID I've sort of gone back-to-back with different shows non-stop.

"It went Singin' in the Rain, Rock of Ages, The War of the Worlds, Burn the Floor, then I did The Games on ITV, Who Do You Think You Are? and then back to Singin' in the Rain on tour. Then I started rehearsals for Strictly Ballroom the day after I finished Singin' in the Rain."

"By the time I finish in mid-July it will have been a 10-month tour of Strictly Ballroom," Clifton revealed. "So, since we came out of COVID it's just been back-to-back non-stop. So, for the rest of this year I've decided I'm going to take a break from all performing work just to be a dad. I just don't want to miss any of Minnie. So, yeah, my plan is to take a break as soon as this contract finishes."

kevin clifton faye brookes, strictly ballroom the musical
PR Supplied/Danny Kaan

Related: Strictly's Shirley Ballas in "weekly" contact with Amy Dowden

However, before then, fans can catch Clifton in Strictly Ballroom as the musical production continues to tour the UK. The dance star recently shared his enthusiasm for the theatre show as he praised his co-star, Coronation Street actress Faye Brookes.

Clifton will also soon be gracing our screens as his episode of Who Do You Think You Are? arrives on BBC One. The episode will see the former Strictly star explore his family history as his ancestry journey takes him "to the other side of the world".

Kevin Clifton's episode of Who Do You Think You Are? is available to watch on Thursday, June 22 at 9pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

Strictly Come Dancing airs on BBC One, while spin-off Strictly: It Takes Two airs on BBC Two. Both shows are available to stream on BBC iPlayer.

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