Kevin Clifton took to Instagram to announce that he has quit Strictly Come Dancing after seven years on the show.
The 37 year old shared a lengthy and emotional statement about his departure from them show, in which he said that he “wanted to leave on a high”.
Alongside a series of pictures showing his time on the show, Kevin wrote: “To the entire Strictly family, 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.
“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.
(Image: Getty)
“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 spokesperson for Strictly Come Dancing said: “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.”
(Image: BBC)
Kevin’s girlfriend Stacey Dooley commented underneath his post to support him, saying: “ I could burst with pride. Undeniably, the most successful pro on Strictly.
“Won everything, treated everyone with respect and kindness, worked SO bloody hard and now, leaving on a high. You will always be the King of Strictly.”
An interview earlier this week hinted that Kevin’s departure was coming as he admitted he didn’t want to stay on the show forever.
He told Katie Piper: “It has to happen at some point, I don’t see myself doing this when I’m 40.”
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