Kevin Clifton has revealed that fellow Strictly Come Dancing professional AJ Pritchard tried to “steal” his 2018 partner Stacey Dooley when the couples were initially being matched up.
In last year’s series, Kevin and the documentary presenter went on to win the show, but it could have all turned out very differently if AJ had got his way.
Before the celebrities and professionals are paired up, they perform a salsa in what has become known as the Chemistry Circle.
The idea is that all of the celebs and pros constantly swap partners as producers look on and decide who work well together on the dance floor.
During last year’s Chemistry Circle, Kevin made a beeline for Stacey – who he is now dating – but he explains that AJ also had his eye on the 32-year-old.
“Last year with Stacey in the salsa circle I was going for it — bang, bang, bang — overdoing it,” he says.
“And then at one point we were on a coffee break and AJ interrupted us in the middle of us talking and took her away, because he wanted to get to know and see what she was about. I was like, ‘It’s not Love Island, mate!’ ”
It’s just one of the behind-the-scenes revelations featured in Strictly: The Professionals, which airs on BBC One this Saturday, ahead of Strictly’s first live show the following week.
The programme even reveals how some of the men lock horns over the ladies, with Kevin Clifton earning a reputation as the most territorial.
Fellow pro Katya Jones adds that Kevin is the most territorial pro, determined to bag a particular celeb.
“You can really see when somebody tries to show there’s extra chemistry. For me, it’s Kevin — you can always see it,” she says.
Strictly alumni also recall their memories of the Chemistry Circle in the documentary, including former TOWIE star Mark Wright, who signed up for the programme in 2014.
He said: “You’re like, ‘Are they gonna kick me off the show?’ Because they’re just staring at you. But they’re seeing the chemistry.”
Strictly: The Professionals airs on BBC One on Saturday 14 Sept at 7pm.