Strictly Kevin Clifton
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Strictly Come Dancing 2019: Kevin Clifton reveals dream partner is Dawn French

He won the show last year with Stacey Dooley

If we had a list of dream contestants we’d LOVE to see on Strictly Come Dancing, Dawn French would be right up there at the top.

Her humour and likeability would surely make her a favourite to win, even before she stepped foot on the dance floor – never mind whether she can actually bust a move or not!

Dawn French Spicegirls concert
Dawn recently unleashed her inner bling at the Spice Girls concert, pictured here with Geri Horner (Credit: Twitter @Dawn_French)

Read more: Strictly Come Dancing 2019: Oti Mabuse ‘ruled out’ of replacing Darcey Bussell

And Strictly professional Kevin clearly agrees, having recently admitted he’d love to perform with The Vicar of Dibley star, who is 61.

Talking on BBC Radio Solent on Wednesday (July 17) to discuss the show and his latest projects, Kevin told the hosts: “For some reason, I don’t know why. I just like the idea of it, I’d really love to do Strictly with Dawn French.

“I think she would be wicked.”

Dawn opposite Julie Hesmondhalgh in upcoming comedy drama Glass Houses (Credit: ITV)

Read more: Dawn French stuns fans as she debuts new hair

The 36-year-old star then added: “I have no idea if she’d ever do it.”

Please Dawn?!

Kevin, who won the show last year with his partner Stacey Dooley who he went on to date, also revealed the professional dancers have a WhatsApp group where they talk about who they’d like to partner up with, and speculate about their possible pairings.

He said: “The pros do have a WhatsApp group, so when the celebs start getting announced, usually throughout August, we are all on the group with each other saying ‘she’d be good for you’ or ‘he’d be good for you’.”

“So then we try and pair everybody up by the time they are all announced on our WhatsApp group.”

Strictly Kevin Stacey
Kevin and Stacey had an undeniable chemistry on stage (Credit: BBC)

He also revealed that the celebrities do have some choice in who they are partnered with, adding: “I believe the celebs get to talk to the producers a little bit to say ‘I would like someone like this’, some of them might prefer a more stricter approach or more soft.

“I believe there’s some sort of conversation between the producers and celebs but the pros – no.”

He also said he “had no idea” who would be replacing judge Darcey Bussell, although he hinted the announcement would be made soon as the start date draws closer.

Darcey Bussell (Strictly YouTube)
We miss you already Darcey! (Credit: BBC)

Some of the contestants tipped to take part in the BBC show this year include former Coronation Street star Catherine Tyldesley, Sunday Brunch presenter Tim Lovejoy and football manager Sam Allardyce.

Could Dawn be joining the mix?

Who would be your dream Strictly Come Dancing contestant? Leave us a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix and let us know what you think!


Helen Fear
TV Editor