Stacey Dooley has spoken publicly about her romance with Kevin Clifton for the first time, revealing they have turned down tens of thousands of pounds for interviews about their relationship.
Stacey and Kevin won the 2018 series of Strictly but didn’t get together until after their time on the show came to an end.
Their relationship then became public when Stacey’s ex, Sam Tucknott, revealed his former partner had begun dating Kevin shortly after they split.
Speaking to the Guardian, 32-year-old Stacey has now addressed the relationship for the first time.
She told the paper: “Kev and I have agreed not to go into too much detail about our private lives because you can’t really indulge that and then ask for privacy.
“That’s why we’ve turned down interviews that have offered us tens of thousands of pounds.
“What I am happy to say is Kev’s amazing, I’m happy, life happens, I’ve got an amazing career and I’m very lucky.”
In April, Stacey responded to Sam’s claims that her romance with Kevin developed while she was still with him, posting on Twitter: “Anyone with any adult life experience knows there are two sides to every story.
“I haven’t got the time or energy to correct some of the utter nonsense I’ve read on here.
“Re Sam, I loved him very much and only wish him happiness and success going forward.”
While Kevin has never directly addressed his and Stacey’s relationship, he alluded to the rumours back in May.
While on stage during a performance of Burn the Floor at the New Wimbledon Theatre, he told the audience: “I seem to be public enemy number one at the moment.”
A month prior, Stacey did little to dispel the romance rumours when she shared a cosy-looking snap of them on her Instagram story.
Offering no further comment, she posted a picture of herself and Kevin grinning at someone off-camera, while he stood with his arm around her.