Kevin Clifton was in good spirits as he met with fans following his opening night performance of his Burn The Floor show at Southport Theatre on Thursday.
Despite the recent news of his romance with Stacey Dooley, 32, the dancer, 36, chatted away with fans and took pictures alongside them after they waited for him by the stage door.
The dancer’s performance comes as it was reported by The Sun that Stacey has been urged by friends to steer clear of him in order to protect her career.
Kevin Clifton PICTURE EXCLUSIVE: Dancer beamed as he met fans after his show in Southport on Thursday
A source told the publication: ‘Stacey has plenty of work on at the moment and her agents don’t want that to be effected in the wake of the scandal.
‘They’ve quietly suggested that the recent stories could be bad for her image and hope that she will listen to the advice.
‘Stacey does what she wants at the end of the day but they think it’s best if she keeps a low profile and that means staying away from Kevin for now.’
MailOnline have contacted representatives for Kevin and Stacey for comment.
Staying away: The dancer’s performance comes as it was reported by The Sun that Stacey has been urged by friends to steer clear of him in order to protect her career
Friendly: Despite the recent news of his romance with Stacey, Kevin chatted away with fans and took pictures alongside them after they waited for him by the stage door
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.
Beaming: The dancer looked like he was in good spirits as he met with fans
In a cheerful mood: Kevin smiled brightly for one fan’s photo
Chatty: Kevin also signed fans’ memorabilia as he met them
‘Re Sam, I loved him v much and only wish him happiness and success going forward.’
Stacey had broken her silence over the matter the day before, as she liked a tweet about forgiveness.
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’.
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.
In good spirits: The dancer was friendly as he took a photo with one fan
Happy: Kevin couldn’t help but smile as he met with another fan
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.
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.
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
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’.
According to the report friends of Stacey had warned her that her blossoming career on the back of Strictly could be stalled if she continued in her relationship with personal trainer Sam.
Loved-up: The January meet-up came weeks before Stacey announced she had split from her long-term beau Sam, after five years together
Candid: Stacey’s ex-boyfriend Sam Tucknott revealed the TV personality called time on their five-year relationship and entered into a romance with thrice-married Kevin
A source said: ‘Getting on Strictly made Stacey a household name but winning was her breakthrough. The team around her had been preparing to propel her into the mainstream spotlight. They felt Sam could hold Stacey back.’
While Sam supported Stacey during both the Strictly live shows, memorably leaping from his seat at her win with Kevin, and the tour, behind the scenes insiders were worried how he was affecting Stacey’s image.
A source added to The Sun: ‘Sam turned up to the studios in a tracksuit a couple of times and there were raised eyebrows.
‘Stacey’s team want her with someone sharp and shiny. Kevin has charisma, he’s a household name and he’s well liked. Stacey knows that too — as well as falling for him, she knows Kevin will help lift her.’
Champions: Kevin, whose relationship with Stacey was said to be an ‘open secret’ during the tour, won the Glitterball trophy alongside his dance partner
