Kevin Clifton has shared an update with fans over a huge 'first' with Stacey Dooley, seven years after their Strictly Come Dancing win.
The smitten couple have lived a happy life together since they were dance partners on - and won - the hit BBC One dancing show back in 2018.
Documentary maker Stacey and professional dancer Kevin fell for one another in the ballroom and after lifting the Glitterball trophy, went public with their romance, which has since seen them welcome daughter, Minnie, into the world.
Now, they're set to work together for the first time since their Strictly success. They announced back in March that they are going to be hitting the stage together in the critically acclaimed, smash hit, supernatural thriller 2:22 - A Ghost Story.
The play is heading out on another extensive UK-wide tour, opening at Manchester Opera House on August 4 2025, and continuing through to November 2025. There will be a second leg of the tour running from 8 January - 20 June 2026, with casting to be announced.
Returning to the role of Jenny following a limited run at the Gielgud Theatre in 2024, Stacey will perform alongside her partner Kevin who will play Jenny’s husband, Sam.
Now, with weeks to go until the tour gets underway in Manchester, Kevin and Stacey have been seen heading into rehearsals.
Alongside a picture of the pair on Instagram, former Strictly pro Kevin said: "Day 1 back working with this little fella again. Last time was 7 years ago @sjdooley @222aghoststory."
And fans were quick to share their excitement. @bizzielizzie39 said: "Can’t wait to watch you both in it, coming to Manchester next month." @andielcfcsutton wrote: "Can't wait to see you both in it."
@kaz_evs commented: "Coming to see you in Bristol and am more than excited!" @susancronshaw added: "Looking forward to seeing you in August in Manchester."
It comes after Kevin opened up about what it could be like working with his real-life partner. Even though Stacey, 38, has learnt to leave her alter egos - including Jenny - at the stage door, Kevin, 42, has to "live and breath" his characters and, therefore, may bring Sam home with them - which he joked could cause their relationship to end.
Speaking on the latest episode of the All That Chat podcast, Kevin admitted: "We're not a very argumentative couple - touch wood - we don't argue a lot.
"I'm sure it'll be fine. But also, Stace and me are very different in that Stace can very much go do her job, do it great, and then leave it at the door and come home.
"Whereas I'm a bit obsessive and I have to live and breathe the character. I'll probably bring the character home, which might get interesting. It could be the ending of us."
Kevin thinks it will be tricky to act with Stacey on stage. He explained: "When it's your partner in front of you who knows everything about you and all your insecurities and then you start playing this character in front of them ... it's going to be weird. I'm going to have to get over doing it in front of Stace, and she's going to have to get over doing it in front of me."
