Hearts of Strictly Come Dancing fans up and down the nation could be heard breaking on Friday, as one of the show’s favourite professional dancers, Kevin Clifton, announced he was quitting.
Posting a statement on Instagram, Kevin revealed his wish to “leave on a high” following seven memorable years on the BBC ballroom series.
After joining in 2013, he went on to reach five Strictly finals before lifting the Glitterball trophy for the first time in 2018 with documentary presenter Stacey Dooley, who he is now in a relationship with.
In celebration of “King Kev’s” dancefloor tenure, we’re looking back on the pro dancer’s best routines ever...
Stacey Dooley’s Paso Doble (2018)
Stacey and Kevin’s Paso was so iconic, it even took on its own nickname when it became known as the Paso Dooley.
The routine proved to be a real turning point for Stacey in the competition, helping to mark her out as one of the frontrunners. It proved to be similarly lucky when they reprised it in the 2018 final and won.
Kellie Bright’s Charleston (2015)
There’s nothing quite like Movie Week for making the professionals think outside the box, but Kevin was consistently one to pull it out of the bag – as he demonstrated with his Charleston with EastEnders star Kellie Bright, which took on a Star Wars theme, complete with light-sabres.
Frankie Bridge’s Tango (2014)
Musicals week on Strictly isn’t always for everyone, but there was no denying how Wicked-ly brilliant this routine set to Defying Gravity was.
Susanna Reid’s Paso Doble (2013)
Kevin seems to have a talent when it comes to the Paso Doble, as his routine with Susanna Reid (six years prior to his one with Stacey) proved to another big moment in her Strictly journey, helping the then-BBC Breakfast presenter bag her highest score of the series, with 39/40.
Stacey Dooley’s Jive (2018)
Of all the things we’ve seen on Strictly over the last 16 years, the sight of Kevin and Stacey covered in yellow make up and dressed as Minions as they danced the Jive, this routine was definitely up there. It really was “bananas”, but in the best possible way.
Susan Calman’s Quickstep (2017)
Kevin has had great chemistry with every partner he’s been paired with on Strictly, but there was something extra special about the bond he shared with comedian Susan Calman.
By her own admission, Susan wasn’t the best mover, but Kevin used their friendship to build her confidence and find the hidden dancer in her, producing this charming Quickstep, which saw Susan bag her highest score on the show, with 30/40.
Louise Redknapp’s Argentine Tango (2016)
Dramatic, theatrical and passionate, this routine will forever be one of the best Argentine Tangos Strictly has ever seen.
What was also amazing about it was that Louise had struggled to properly come out of her shell prior to taking it on, and it was a credit to Kevin’s skills as a teacher that she was then seen as a potential finalist after performing it.
Kellie Bright’s Showdance (2015)
You just can’t beat a good showdance, and Kevin’s creation for Kellie’s final performance was old school razzmatazz, and we LOVED it.
Anneka Rice’s Cha Cha (2019)
Yes, we know that Anneka wasn’t the most blessed in the dance department, but Kevin proved that he was always able to find something to work with when he was paired up with the presenter in 2019 – even if that thing was comedy.