Kevin Clifton looks in great spirits during dinner with pals

Strictly professional Kevin Clifton has yet to speak out on his new romance with Stacey Dooley, but the dancer looked in great spirits on Monday evening.

The popular Strictly Come Dancing pro flashed a huge smile as he hung out with pals at a Nandos , in the first sighting of the star since his relationship with his Strictly dance partner was revealed on Sunday.

The ex boyfriend of documentary maker Stacey revealed to the Mail On Sunday that Stacey had confessed the romance, just weeks after their split.

In love? Strictly professional Kevin Clifton has yet to speak out on his new romance with Stacey Dooley, but the dancer looked in great spirits on Monday evening

In love? Strictly professional Kevin Clifton has yet to speak out on his new romance with Stacey Dooley, but the dancer looked in great spirits on Monday evening

Kevin showed no sign of stress as he tucked into dinner on Monday evening, during a break from his Burn The Floor tour rehearsals, which kicks off this week.

Dressed in a colourful baseball cap and jeans, Kevin chatted animatedly with friends as they arrived for the low key dinner.

The dancer has yet to comment on his new headline-grabbing romance, but Stacey took to Twitter on Monday to insist there 'are two sides to every story' after her ex Sam Tucknott branded Kevin  'a rat'.

Fresh claims on Tuesday suggest the BBC documentary maker broke up with boyfriend of five years for the professional dancer in order to 'better her career'.

It's also been rumoured that Stacey, 32, and Kevin, 36, have been enjoying a secret romance for months, with photos emerging of the pair heading into the same Birmingham hotel in January.

New romance: Stacey Dooley reportedly broke up with boyfriend of five years, personal trainer Sam Tucknott, for the her Strictly partner Kevin Clifton in order to 'better her career'

New romance: Stacey Dooley reportedly broke up with boyfriend of five years, personal trainer Sam Tucknott, for the her Strictly partner Kevin Clifton in order to 'better her career'

Weeks after picking up the Glitterball trophy with Kevin in December, Stacey took part in the Strictly tour, but was separated from her partner who ruled himself out of the live shows to concentrate on his own Burn The Floor tour.

Despite his hectic work schedule Kevin made the long trip to Birmingham to show his support for Stacey on tour, cheering her on as she danced with Aljaz Skorjanec.

Kevin, whose relationship with Stacey was said to be an 'open secret' during the tour, was seen later that night heading into a five star hotel in the city, while Stacey, and the rest of the tour cast, followed close behind.  

Intense: Sam, who split from Stacey after a five-year relationship in March, blames the match on the intensive hours Kevin and the journalist spent together on Strictly

Intense: Sam, who split from Stacey after a five-year relationship in March, blames the match on the intensive hours Kevin and the journalist spent together on Strictly 

Support: Despite his hectic work schedule Kevin made the long trip to Birmingham in January to show his support for Stacey on the Strictly tour (pictured in December)

Support: Despite his hectic work schedule Kevin made the long trip to Birmingham in January to show his support for Stacey on the Strictly tour (pictured in December)

As a Strictly insider said to the Mirror: 'There was no reason for Kevin to slog all the way to Birmingham to see her perform. The fact he did speaks volumes about where they were in their relationship.'  

The January meet-up came weeks before Stacey announced she had split from her long-term beau Sam, after five years together.

Sam himself admitted in an interview with the Mail On Sunday though, that their relationship was under strain late last year as Stacey spent 14 hours a day training with Kevin for their Strictly win. 

Insiders have claimed that Stacey, known for her hard-hitting BBC Three documentaries, 'dumped' Sam for Kevin as  he was 'better for her image'.

Close: It's been rumoured that Stacey and Kevin have been enjoying secret romance for months, with photos emerging of the pair heading into the same Birmingham hotel in January

Close: It's been rumoured that Stacey and Kevin have been enjoying secret romance for months, with photos emerging of the pair heading into the same Birmingham hotel in January 

According to the report friends of Stacey had warned her that her blossoming

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