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.
This story is from the November 08, 2024 edition of Daily Express.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the November 08, 2024 edition of Daily Express.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Hands-on Arteta already planning for the next era
MIKEL ARTETA celebrates his 250th game in charge of Arsenal today - and has already mapped out the future with the Gunners hierarchy.
Unai said: Until you can prove yourself you're a Championship player in my eyes
TOUGH love has transformed Morgan Rogers into a Premier League thoroughbred.
No place like a prize home for Omaze winner
ECSTATIC Sarah Perry has won a £500,000 home near her Powys roots in an Omaze draw and given her husband the shock of his life.
Back beside the seaside 52 years on
FUN-LOVING pals reshot a snap from their first holiday together - 52 years ago.
'Harshita, you left this world but are still in our hearts'
Family's tribute to body-in-boot wife
Factory farming costs taxpayer £1bn a year
THE factory farming of animals costs taxpayers almost £1billion a year, a study has found.
'Our beautiful one-of-a-kind Simone had a spark for life'
THE parents of a British lawyer who died after allegedly being served drinks laced with methanol in Laos say they are \"devastated by the loss of our beautiful, kind and loving daughter\".
Strictly Sarah: I didn't believe I could do lifts ...but look at me now
NEWLY confident Sarah Hadland has ditched her panic about bare legs, fake tans and doing ballroom lifts to become a firm favourite to win Strictly Come Dancing.
Down thunder! Aussie TV camp soaked
THE I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! camp has been battered by torrential rain, which could lead to the contestants being evacuated.
300 jabs a minute to event tripledemic’
AN NHS vaccination blitz is delivering more than 300 jabs a minute to tackle a deadly \"tripledemic\" of flu, Covid and respiratory syncytial virus.
