STRICTLY SPEAKING I DON'T MISS THE PRESSURE!

Beloved pro-dancer Kevin Clifton bowed out of the hit show after finally lifting the Glitterball trophy in 2018. Now he's bringing the razzle dazzle as slick defence lawyer Billy Flynn in Chicago... so sue him, but he couldn't be happier

- Alison James

WHEN Kevin Clifton posted an Instagram image from inside the Strictly Come Dancing studio recently, social media was abuzz with speculation. Did this mean the former pro dancer was hinting at a show return? Did the uncaptioned snap taken from behind the judges' table suggest he was in line for Craig Revel Horwood or Anton Du Beke's job?

Unsurprisingly, fans quickly clamoured for his return, saying Strictly "isn't the same" without him. So is it true: might he be considering a comeback?

"Never say never," laughs the Grimsbyborn choreographer, who danced on the hit BBC show for seven years and finally raised the Glitterball trophy in 2018 with his now real-life partner Stacey Dooley, 37, having reached the final four times.

So, in other words - no! Kevin breaks into laughter again.

But as we've seen this week, with fans left devastated by Johannes Radebe's announcement he is quitting Strictly for the West End - and hints that some current big names could be at risk of being axed in a huge shake-up - it feels like losing an arm or a leg when a member of the Strictly family leaves.

Many viewers would love to see the door kept open for handsome Kevin, who's currently touring the UK in a production of Chicago, playing slick, charismatic and highly manipulative criminal defence lawyer Billy Flynn the role played by Richard Gere in the 2002 Oscar-winning film - more of which shortly.

"Ah, that's so nice of you to say," he beams. "I still have so much love for Strictly. I'm grateful to have been part of something really special. Strictly changed my life.

"It made me a better dancer, a better performer, and, really, it shaped who I am today. I owe so much to it."

And that includes his daughter with Stacey, Minnie, who turns two in January.