Strictly Come Dancing professionals Kevin and Karen Clifton have confirmed that they have split up after three years of marriage.
The couple broke the sad news on Chris Evans' Radio 2 Breakfast Show this morning (March 15), adding that although they will be getting a divorce, they will continue to work together professionally.
"We wanted to do this now and let everyone know that actually privately we're not together anymore, but professionally we are stronger than ever. Dance is how we came together and has been the glue that held us together for years now," Kevin explained.
The pair are currently preparing for their new tour that kicks off on May 22 and they believe that their private split has strengthened their dance partnership.
"Since we've been honest with each other about our relationship, we've unlocked this new wealth of creativity. We feel like we're stronger than ever and taking our dance relationship to another level," Kevin outlined.
During last year's Strictly, Karen denied tabloid speculation that she was separating from Kevin, noting that while "nothing is perfect", they were still together.
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"We're a regular couple, we've been together for seven years, and like any other relationship, you have ups and downs," she reflected.
"We just need to keep pushing. Relationships take work. It's not as easy as you think, especially being in a job like Strictly. We're not a superhuman couple, we're normal, so when things happen, we fight."
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Movies Editor, Digital Spy Ian has more than 10 years of movies journalism experience as a writer and editor. Starting out as an intern at trade bible Screen International, he was promoted to report and analyse UK box-office results, as well as carving his own niche with horror movies, attending genre festivals around the world. After moving to Digital Spy, initially as a TV writer, he was nominated for New Digital Talent of the Year at the PPA Digital Awards. He became Movies Editor in 2019, in which role he has interviewed 100s of stars, including Chris Hemsworth, Florence Pugh, Keanu Reeves, Idris Elba and Olivia Colman, become a human encyclopedia for Marvel and appeared as an expert guest on BBC News and on-stage at MCM Comic-Con. Where he can, he continues to push his horror agenda – whether his editor likes it or not.
