Karen Clifton has dismissed claims that she has fallen out with Will Young over his decision to quit Strictly Come Dancing. Will shocked fans last week with his announcement that he was leaving the competition for "personal reasons". Addressing speculation that she and Will are no longer speaking, Karen said they had "been in touch" since his exit.
"He is doing ok," she told the Press Association. "I really miss him and it's lovely to still be friends with him. It's all well, it's all good."
Karen Clifton has said she remains friends with Will Young following his Strictly exit
Karen's comments come just a few days after Will returned to the spotlight for the first time following his Strictly exit. He took to the stage at a LGBT event in London to perform a series of his hits, and seemed in good spirits as he sang for the crowd.
The singer announced his departure from the BBC dance show in a statement released on 11 October. Since then there has been increasing speculation about his reason for leaving, including unsubstantiated rumours he didn't get on with professional partner Karen, and that his on-air row with head judge Len Goodman was the "final straw".
But reports of any discord seem misplaced. Darcey Bussell recently refuted claims that Will and Len's exchange of words played any part in the singer's decision to leave.
Will decided to leave the BBC dance show last week for "personal reasons"
"It's sad," she said of Will's exit. "Unfortunately being a judge we are not allowed to see the rehearsals or what happened during the week, so you don't know the ins and outs and you only arrive on the day of the live show.
"It's horrifying to think that somebody who could have easily got to the final [has left]. But you know, like in anybody's lives, you have many things that are going on and it is not to do with Len Goodman – just to make that clear."