Karen and Kevin Clifton have confirmed that they are splitting up after three years of marriage. The Strictly Come Dancing professionals confirmed the news while chatting on Chris Evans' radio breakfast show. Kevin said: "Privately we are not together anymore but professionally we are stronger than ever before. Dance is how we came together and is what glues together."
He continued: "We're still the best of friends – we still have a lot of love and respect for each other. What we've found it that since we've been honest with each other it's unlocked our creativity." Karen said: "We have such strong chemistry and it's about entreating and inspiring. At the end of the day, it's about giving back to fans. We're feeling very positive." The pair confirmed that they would still go on tour in May. Click through our gallery to see their love story in pictures...
Kevin and Karen tied the knot back in 2015 in a stunning wedding that was featured in HELLO!. Karen, who wore a sensational Inbal Dror wedding gown, said: "When I was getting ready, I said to my make-up artist, 'Is it weird that I'm so calm?' She said the best thing ever, 'You're so calm because you've made the right choice.' And it made me think, 'I have nothing to worry about because I'm going to marry the person I've been in love with since the day we met.'"
Speaking about their beautiful wedding ceremony, which took place at One Great George Street in Westminster, Kevin admitted that he was feeling nervous, and told HELLO!: "Dancing in front of millions of people is way easier than that... I've never seen anything more beautiful in my life. Karen looked absolutely stunning."
The pair became bloggers for HELLO!, and kept readers up-to-date with all the behind-the-scenes gossip from Strictly Come Dancing. Speaking about their new venture, Karen said: "Kevin and I are really excited to be doing a blog for HELLO!. We can't wait to get started and chat about our new life as Mr and Mrs C, our on-and-off the dance floor adventures, and, of course, we can't forget about our glitterball gossip!"
Karen and Kevin have been on joint tours, and opened up about their experiences performaning on stage together, telling HELLO!: "The tour is something we have always thought about doing since we met. We love performing in a theatre. It's something that sits very close to our hearts. We met in a theatre, we got engaged in a theatre, now the best thing to do is perform our dream show in a theatre."
Kevin added: "Since meeting on Broadway, performing on the West End and eventually working together on our own projects, we have always talked about how much we would love to create our own theatre show with our own ideas."
Talking about their relationship to HELLO!, the husband and wife said: "We love going home and relaxing after an intense rehearsal schedule. We order some good food and cuddle on the couch." Speaking about performing on Strictly, the couple said: "We always get really nervous, especially when it’s something that means so much to us. But the best thing is that we have each other out there, and there is no better feeling than doing something with the person that means the most to you."
The pair celebrated their second wedding anniversary by posting snaps on social media. In on Instagram post, Karen wrote: "I love you @keviclifton. Happy 2 year wedding anniversary my love.. #Mr&MrsC." Their fans were quick to congratulate them, with one writing: "Happy anniversary to one of the loveliest couples I know," while another added: "We share the same wedding anniversary. 19 years for me! Happy anniversary."
Karen appeared to dispel the rumours with the Mirror, saying: "Kevin and I start our own tour in May which we are really looking forward to. We are really excited and we are creating right now and just talking through everything... We are in an amazing family show on Strictly and at the end of the day we love what we do. People are going to be interested but at the end of the day we are happy."