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Strictly’s Karen and Kevin Clifton leave fans in tears with opening dance after split

Pro-dancer reveals therapy for marriage breakdown

Strictly Come Dancing viewers were moved to tears as ex-couple Karen and Kevin Clifton shared a beautiful dance to open the live shows.

It comes as Karen revealed she has had therapy to cope with their marriage breakdown.

The ballroom stars performed on an elevated platform during the Strictly professionals’ curtain-raising group dance.

The couple on Strictly’s opening dance (Credit: BBC)

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Their fellow cast members danced along with them in the BBC studio to Elton John’s Your Song.

Speaking about their relationship separation, Karen told the Mail on Sunday: “I’ve taken a big hit.

“I had to realise that I’m 36 years old. I’m not a kid and it has taken me a lot of therapy and life coaching to get through this. I have found it really difficult.”

She added: “We thought our relationship was going to be the best thing. It turns out that it wasn’t.”

The pro-dancers open the live shows (Credit: BBC)

Read more: Karen Clifton says she’d be “happy” if Kevin started dating again

The newspaper reported that Karen is having therapy sessions twice a month, as well as hypnotherapy for anxiety.

The couple tied the knot in July 2015 but confirmed six months ago that their marriage was over.

Andy Barnes / FameFlynet.uk.com
The couple were married for three years (Credit: FameFlynet)

They say their huge workloads had a big impact on their relationship but that they hope to remain as professional partners.

Viewers were thrilled to see Karen and Kevin back dancing together on last night’s show.

One tweeted: “Kevin and Karen dancing to that beautiful song made me quite teary and emotional.”

Fans loved the series opener (Credit: BBC)

Another wrote: “Awww what a beautiful pro dance and great to see Karen and Kevin partnered up.”

A third added: “Good to see Karen and Kevin dancing together despite all the bad blood.”

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* Strictly Come Dancing continues next Saturday night on BBC1.

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Nancy Brown
Associate Editor