Strictly Come Dancing professional Kevin Clifton has hit back at âridiculousâ reports that heâs upset with BBC bosses for pairing him with Anneka Rice.
The dancer was the subject of an article in The Sun, where a source was quoted claiming Kevin felt âpunishedâ for starting a romance with former partner Stacey Dooley, fearing he could be this yearâs âjoke actâ as a result.
However, a day into rehearsals with Anneka, Kevin has insisted this is far from the case.
Responding to one fan who suggested the media is âdefinitely out to getâ the reigning Strictly champ, he wrote back: âOh itâs ridiculous, i just laugh nowadays. As usual a completely made up story.â
He previously tweeted that he thinks Strictly bosses âalways get the pairings spot onâ, adding he was looking forward to âanother great seriesâ.
After five times in the Strictly final, Kevin was finally crowned the winning Strictly pro in last yearâs series with documentary presenter Stacey.
In the weeks that followed, it was revealed the pair were also in a relationship, though they maintained their romance didnât start until after she split from her ex-boyfriend.
The pair recently returned to the Strictly ballroom to perform together one last time during this yearâs launch show.
Following their performance in the pre-recorded episode, judge Craig Revel Horwood was required to issue an apology after making a âcruelâ and âincredibly disrespectfulâ joke at Stacey and Kevinâs expense.