Kevin Clifton has broken his silence about his romance with Stacey Dooley, as he paid a gushing tribute to her during the opening night of his Burn The Floor show.
According to a report from The Mirror on Friday, the professional dancer, 36, addressed his relationship with the presenter, 32, while he was on stage.
Speaking to the audience, he said: 'In the last couple of years I've seen massive upheaval in my personal life and it hasn't always been easy.
Candid: Kevin Clifton BROKE his silence on Stacey Dooley romance on Friday, as he praised the presenter in a gushing tribute... but says attention on their new relationship 'hasn't been easy'
'There have been a lot of things thrown at me. At times I've struggled. And the times I've struggled and I was in a bit of a rut I didn't know what to do.'
Adding that he isn't 'the best at dealing with' his personal struggles, the Strictly pro said it was thanks to producers of his dancing tour that he could be brought back to a place where things 'felt right' again.
Kevin then went on to say of new love: 'And thanks to Miss Stacey Dooley, I can finally say I'm the Strictly champion after six years of trying. It's a miracle.'
Gushing: Addressing the audience, Kevin said of new love: 'And thanks to Miss Stacey Dooley, I can finally say I'm the Strictly champion after six years of trying. It's a miracle'
It's been rumoured that Stacey and Kevin have been enjoying a secret romance for months, with photos emerging of the pair heading into the same Birmingham hotel in January.
Stacey’s ex-boyfriend, personal trainer Sam Tucknott, 30, revealed the TV personality called time on their five-year relationship and entered into a romance with thrice-married Kevin in an explosive interview with the Mail On Sunday this weekend.
Kevin 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'.
The TV presenter, 32, wrote: 'Anyone with any adult life experience knows there are 2 sides to every story. I haven’t got the time or energy to correct some of the utter nonsense I’ve read on here.
Romance: It's been rumoured that Stacey and Kevin have been enjoying a secret romance for months, with photos emerging of the pair heading into the same Birmingham hotel in January
'Re Sam, I loved him v much and only wish him happiness and success going forward.'
Stacey had broken
