Kevin Clifton quits Strictly Come Dancing

Kevin Clifton has quit \'Strictly Come Dancing\' after spending seven years on the show.

The 37-year-old professional dancer is walking away from the BBC One ballroom show after deciding to leave the programme "on a high" after winning the \'Children In Need\' and Christmas specials in 2019.

In a statement posted onto his social media channels on Friday (06.03.20), he said: "The past 7 years have been some of the most wonderful years of my life. I am grateful to the BBC and \'Strictly Come Dancing\' for giving me the opportunity to have been a part of something truly special.

"Since first being called Kevin From Grimsby by Sir Bruce Forsyth in 2013 I have experienced the highs of 5 finals, winning a Guinness World record on \'It Takes Two\', the Strictly Arena tour glitterball and then the ultimate of winning the 2018 series with Stacey Dooley.

"After finishing last series with the \'Children In Need\' trophy and the Christmas Special I want to leave on a high and have therefore decided the time has come to move on and focus on other areas of my life and career."

Kevin - who joined in 2013 - also paid tribute to all of the other professionals he has worked with during his time on the programme and all of his celebrity partners, who have included Louise Redknapp, Susanna Reid, Frankie Bridge and his now-girlfriend Stacey Dooley, whom he won the glitterball trophy with in 2018.

He continued: "I want to thank all of the pros for inspiring me every day as well as all of my celebrity partners. The whole team behind the scenes have made always made the Strictly family what it is and the loveliest show to work for. Thank you to anyone who has ever voted for me and my partners. It means the world. And a special thank you to Jason Gilkison for always believing in me.

"To me Strictly always has been and always will be the best show on TV and has been an absolute dream and honour to be a part of. Pre-2013 I used to watch every week. Now I look forward to returning to being a fan and cheering on my friends who keep dancing."

A statement released on behalf of \'Strictly\' thanked Kevin for his contribution to the show during his tenure.

It read: "Kevin has been such a brilliant part of \'Strictly\' for the past seven years. From reaching the final an impressive five times, to lifting the glitterball with Stacey Dooley in 2018, he has provided the show with some fantastic moments, through his exceptional talent as a dancer and choreographer. He will be hugely missed by fans and by his Strictly family. He will always be our Kevin from Grimsby."