Strictly Come Dancing’s Kevin Clifton says he’d never date a celebrity partner.
Much has been said about the supposed ‘Strictly curse’ over the years, but Kevin says he makes sure to keep it purely professional on the show.
He said this week he’s never been romantically involved with any of his partners and has no plans to ever be.
“You’re there to do a job and get on with the dancing. That’s what it’s about,” he said.
In an interview with The Sun, Kevin also revealed his teaching techniques that last year led Stacey Dooley to lift the Glitterball.
Kevin, currently on the Rock Of Ages UK tour, explained: “I don’t crack the whip, be really strict or a disciplinarian. The only way you can do your best is when you feel really comfortable and safe.
“And I also tell them I won’t laugh at them at any point — they can make as many mistakes as they want, providing they give their all on the night.”
Meanwhile, Kevin has told how BBC producers prep celebs when they sign up for the show.
In a chat with Graham Norton on BBC Radio 2, Kevin said: “There are a couple of sessions like if a celebrity… they don’t know whether they want to sign, they want like a taster session.”
“We do that, and then when the celebrities are confirmed, there’s a couple of days where we meet them, and we have a go at dancing with all of them,” Kevin continued.
He added: “You definitely know who’s going to be good or not after that session.”
The Strictly professionals on 2019’s line up were confirmed at the start of this month (March).
Alongside Kevin, the male pros are AJ Pritchard, Aljaž Škorjanec, Anton Du Beke, Giovanni Pernice, Gorka Marquez, Graziano Di Prima, Johannes Radebe and Neil Jones. Pasha Kovalev won’t be returning having decided to quit after 8 years.
The women joining them are Amy Dowden, Dianne Buswell, Janette Manrara, Karen Clifton, Katya Jones, Luba Mushtuk, Nadiya Bychkova and Oti Mabuse.
Strictly Come Dancing stars in September on BBC One.
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