Strictly’s Stacey Dooley speaks out as her dance partner is REPLACED

Kev has other commitments!

Stacey and Kevin

by Alex Ross |
Updated on

TV presenter Stacey Dooley has emerged as one of the favourites to win this year's Strictly Come Dancing, following a number of amazing routines with her professional partner Kevin Clifton over the last few weeks.

But now, with the Strictly Come Dancing final set to take place on Saturday 15th December, details about next year's nationwide Strictly tour have been announced, and Stacey's partner Kevin is being REPLACED by fellow professional Aljaž Škorjanec.

Aljaž Škorjanec
©Aljaž Škorjanec © BBC Pictures

Due to work commitments on the Rock Of Ages tour, Kevin is unable to assist his partner during the 2019 arena tour, with Aljaž stepping in to partner with Stacey.

After the news was announced yesterday, Stacey has now expressed her excitement saying, “I’m loving this experience so much. I know people always say that, but it's so true. To be able to go on tour and perform for the fans all over the UK is such an honour. I'm so excited!”

She then added, "I will miss Kev, but I am looking forward to putting Aljaz through his paces!"

Gallery

RADIO Strictly Come Dancing couples - slider with cover pic

Strictly1 of 12

Swipe through to see which couples found love on Strictly Come Dancing...

Natasha Kaplinsky and Brendan Cole2 of 12
CREDIT: u00a9 Rex/Shuttershock

Natasha Kaplinsky and Brendan Cole

On the first ever series of Strictly back in 2001, news reader Natasha Kaplinsky and professional dancer Brendan Cole were paired together.Despite both being in other relationships at the time, both Natasha and Brendan called off their romances and started dating after the series finished. Their relationship didn't last long though, and they are now both happily married to other people.

Ali Bastian and Brian Fortuna3 of 12
CREDIT: u00a9 Rex/Shuttershock

Ali Bastian and Brian Fortuna

It was love at first sight for former Hollyoaks actress Ali Bastian and her Strictly partner Brian Fortuna in 2009. With the pair both single at the time, Ali and Brian started a relationship, only for it to end the following year.

Joe Calzaghe and Kristina Rihanoff4 of 12
CREDIT: u00a9 Rex/Shuttershock

Joe Calzaghe and Kristina Rihanoff

When boxer Joe Calzaghe appeared on the show in 2009, he announced to the press that his relationship with his partner Jo-Emma Larvin had come to an end, just one week into his Strictly journey. Joe's professional dance partner Kristina Rihanoff was more than a shoulder to cry on, with the pair starting a romance. They went on to date for four years after show, before announcing their split.

Ben Cohen and Kristina Rihanoff5 of 12
CREDIT: u00a9 Rex/Shuttershock

Ben Cohen and Kristina Rihanoff

After her relationship with Joe Calzaghe fell apart, Kristina later met another Strictly contestant, England rugby ace Ben Cohen. Both Ben and Kristina have denied rumours that Ben was still with his ex-wife Abby Blayney at the time they started dating, with the pair claiming they didn't get together until a year later. Things are going well however, the pair now share a daughter together called Milena and are in a happy relationship.

Kara Tointon and Artem Chigvintsev6 of 12
CREDIT: u00a9 Rex/Shuttershock

Kara Tointon and Artem Chigvintsev

After her split from Joe Swash, actress Kara Tointon appeared on the 2010 series of Strictly and mended her broken heart with a little help from professional dancer Artem Chigvintsev.Despite this, things didn't work out for the couple and Kara is now loved-up with her boyfriend Marius Jensen, with rumours suggesting she could be pregnant with the couple's first child.

Rachel Riley and Pasha Kovalev7 of 12
CREDIT: u00a9 Rex/Shuttershock

Rachel Riley and Pasha Kovalev

When Countdown presenter Rachel Riley appeared on Strictly in 2013 she was married to her ex-husband Jamie Gilbert. However, after just 16 months of marriage, the pair announced they were set for divorce in November 2016. Fast-forward to 2016 and Rachel revealed she was in a relationship with her 2013 Strictly partner Pasha Kovalev... And they are still together!

Georgia May Foote and Giovanni Pernice8 of 12
CREDIT: u00a9 Rex/Shuttershock

Georgia May Foote and Giovanni Pernice

Georgia May Foote was dating her Coronation Street co-star Sean Ward when she joined the show in 2015. But when rumours circulated that the couple's relationship wasn't going well, they split in December 2015. Georgia was then spotted getting very cosy with her Strictly partner Giovanni, with the pair enjoying a holiday to Disneyland Paris for New Year.Despite this, the couple ended their relationship in August 2016.

Dianne Buswell and Joe Sugg9 of 12
CREDIT: u00a9 Shutterstock

Dianne Buswell and Joe Sugg

After weeks of rumours, Joe Sugg appeared to confirm his relationship with Strictly Come Dancing partner Dianne Buswell with a photo on Instagram, the caption read, 'I may not have won the glitter ball, but I've won something a million times more special.'

Gemma Atkinson and Gorka Marquez10 of 12
CREDIT: u00a9 Getty Images

Gemma Atkinson and Gorka Marquez

Radio presenter Gemma Atkinson and professional dancer Gorka Marquez were first linked in the 2017 series, and got together whilst on the 2018 annual tour together. They moved in together in December 2018.

Giovanni Pernice and Ashley Roberts11 of 12
CREDIT: u00a9 Getty Images

Giovanni Pernice and Ashley Roberts

Professional dancer Giovanni Pernice and Pussycat Doll Ashley Roberts were forced to deny they were dating during the 2018 series, but Giovanni confirmed the relationship in January 2019.In January 2020, the duo confirmed they'd split.

Caroline Flack and AJ Pritchard12 of 12
CREDIT: u00a9 Getty Images

Caroline Flack and AJ Pritchard

Official news on whether these two are dating is yet to be confirmed, but 2014 Strictly winner Caroline Flack was spotted kissing professional dancer AJ Pritchard at the 2019 NTAs.

So far, only Stacey, along with This Morning's Dr Ranj Singh and YouTuber Joe Sugg have been announced for the 2019 nationwide tour. It's also being reported that Seann Walsh, who caused major controversy this year after being caught KISSING his partner Katya Jones, will not be going on tour due to other commitments.

Next year’s tour will open at the Arena Birmingham on 18 January and then visit some of the biggest venues across the UK including, First Direct Arena in Leeds, Manchester Arena, Liverpool’s Echo Arena, Sheffield’s Fly DSA Arena, the SSE Hydro in Glasgow, Nottingham’s Motorpoint Arena and the SSE Arena Wembley. As usual, the tour then comes to an end with four shows at The O2 Arena in London on 9th and 10th February.

The 2018 tour will be hosted by former Strictly Come Dancing winner Ore Oduba, with judges Craig Revel Horwood, Darcey Bussell, Bruno Tonioli and Shirley Ballas all taking to the live panel.

Get tickets for the Strictly Come Dancing 2019 tour from Aloud.com.

NOW WATCH: ‘He’s easy on the eye’ Kimberly Wyatt on Ashley & 'Italian Stallion' Giovanni’s Rumoured Romance

If your favourite music icons are the Spice Girls and your favourite Ks are Kylie and the Kardashians, you need heat Radio in your life! heat Radio is portable, so you can listen to us on the move. Simply download our app from your phone’s app store or listen on DAB Digital Radio UK, on Freeview Channel 716 or online at heatradio.com and at heatworld.com. We’re on all the smart speakers too, just say “play heat Radio".

Just so you know, whilst we may receive a commission or other compensation from the links on this website, we never allow this to influence product selections - read why you should trust us