Pro dancer Joanne Clifton to return to Strictly Come Dancing?

Former Strictly Come Dancing pro dancer Joanne Clifton wants to return to the show.

Joanne was one of three pros to leave Strictly this year alongside Natalie Lowe and Oksana Platero, who only joined last series.

The 2016 Strictly champion returned to the Strictly ballroom one last time for the launch of this year’s show.

She performed the winners’ routine with her celebrity partner Ore Oduba at the start of the new series.

Speaking at the time, Joanne said: “Being part of the Strictly experience has been one of the best things that has ever happened to me and I will miss the show so much.

“It’s been a tough decision but I am looking forward to facing new challenges and focusing on my musical theatre career.”

Now Joanne is eyeing up a return – although says it won’t be in 2018.

Writing in the Radio Times, Joanne said: “I’m so emotional about the whole Strictly Come Dancing final, and I don’t know whether it is because I’m remembering the emotion of winning last year with Ore Oduba but everyone’s just done such a great job and this weekend has made me go ‘Oh my God, I want to go back’. I’ve missed it.”

She went on: “I’m very happy doing musical theatre and my goal is still musical theatre.

“Also I’m on tour next year with Flashdance at the same time as Strictly’s on so I can’t go back next year, but I’m now thinking I really want to go back – maybe the year after next?

“I would just love to go back and do it again!”

Meanwhile, Joanne revealed her home now had two glitterball trophies after housemate Katya Jones won this year’s Strictly with Joe McFadden

“We’ve each got our Glitterballs in our bedrooms but we might now put them together in the living room – that would be fun. We just need Neil [Jones] to win one now!” she said.

Strictly Come Dancing will return to BBC One in 2018.