Strictly Come Dancing’s Karen Clifton and Kevin Clifton have opened up about their recent split.
The married recently confirmed press speculation that they are no longer together.
Kevin revealed the news on Chris Evans’ BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show earlier this month, insisting they were still “the best of friends”.
And despite that personal split, they’ve said they will continue their professional dance relationship.
In a chat on ITV’s This Morning, the pair opened up more about the situation.
Talking about dealing with their romance in the public eye, Kevin said: “There was suddenly this big elephant in the room, and normally you’d deal with those things privately.
“Obviously being on such a massive show, people are talking about it.
“We’re quite positive people in general, and we thought rather than hide behind this elephant in the room, let’s get on top of it and have a ride around, and just say it and be respectful to all our our fans and supporters and anyone that wants to see the show, and be honest about it.”
Karen spoke of their decision to keep dancing together on their upcoming tour: “We’ve been dancing together for seven years, and that bond we created as friends first of all and professional dancers has been very strong.
“To let go of all of that because our private life hasn’t worked out the way that we wanted would have been quite hard.”
She added: “It is important to stay positive, mentally and physically it is very tough to do, but we’re both in a good place and we’re both really happy.
“It shows other people you can do things and you can still work with someone you love so much and you respect and you admire. Life does go on for us professionally.”
Kevin agreed, adding that the pair “feel on fire at the moment” with their dancing.
As for whether or not the pair will individually or both return to Strictly, they insisted that no decision has been made.
Strictly Come Dancing will return to BBC One in the autumn.
