Rumours have been flying around that Karen and Kevin Clifton’s marriage has been hit by the infamous Strictly curse… but now Craig Revel Horwood has set the record straight.
The outspoken judge took to his column in Woman magazine to spill the beans on what is going on between Karen and Kevin behind the scenes of the dancing show.
He told his readers, “It’s been reported Karen and Kevin Clifton are having some tensions, but to me they seem quite jolly.
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“Now Susan has left the competition, they’ll be able to spend some more time together – it’s always hard when you’re so busy on the show.”
And what Craig is saying certainly backs up what Kevin himself told The Sun a few weeks ago… “Strictly’s a hard few weeks for everyone and Karen and I have found this year’s particularly hard.
“We have been in different places since the start — with her in Manchester and now London and me in Glasgow.”
But with both Karen and her celebrity dance partner, Simon Rimmer, and also Kevin and his partner Susan Calman now voted off the show, the couple will be able to spend a lot more time together.
When Kevin and Susan left the show just a few weeks ago, he made a poignant tribute to his wife, telling everyone, “When Strictly’s on, I’m not the easiest person to live with, I go a bit mad.
“So I’d like to say, first of all, thanks to my wife for putting up with me.”
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Karen also echoed the sentiments made by her husband in an interview on Strictly spin off show, It Takes Two.
Last Friday Karen opened up about her fellow professional Kevin.
“I’ve been fortunate to dance with so many celebrities but for me to dance with my husband is always a pleasure.
“Kevin and I have enjoyed so many great performances on Strictly. It’s a time for us to really show our chemistry and our connection.”
Despite the couple putting on a united front, there are rumours flying around that Karen is seeing someone else.
The Sun reported that the dancer has been spotted out with another man a number of times recently, but Karen and Kevin have kept a dignified silence and no comment has been made about the claims.