Kevin Clifton almost quit Strictly Come Dancing after struggles in his personal life

Kevin Clifton has told how he almost quit Strictly Come Dancing over struggles in his personal life.

Kevin has recently been in the tabloid headlines after rumours of a relationship with recent Strictly celeb partner Stacey Dooley.

It follows a split from his dancer wife Karen Hauer, also a professional on the BBC One series, last year.

Opening up about life away from the camera, Kevin admitted times “really haven’t been easy”.

“I’ve really enjoyed Strictly. I think it’s a great show,” he’s quoted as saying by the Daily Mirror newspaper. “But it’s no secret that the last two years has seen massive upheaval in my personal life.

“There have been times where I have struggled. There have been times that really haven’t been easy.

“I was thinking maybe I need to get out of all this and get away from all this. I’m not very good at coping with it.”

After getting to the Strictly final four times, Kevin finally won the show last year with BBC documentary maker Stacey.

Speaking at his Burn the Floor dance tour, he said: “Thanks to Miss Stacey Dooley, I can finally say I am the reigning champion of Strictly.”

But the pair’s closeness has proved controversial more recently, with Stacey’s ex-boyfriend Sam branding Kevin a “rat”.

It followed their break up and rumours that Stacey was now dating Kevin.

Stacey last week to Twitter to break her silence on the reports.

“Anyone with any adult life experience knows there are 2 sides to every story,” she wrote. “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 v much and only wish him happiness and success going forward.”

Strictly Come Dancing will return to BBC One in September.

Kevin is already confirmed to be back on the pro line up, together with Karen.