Strictly Come Dancing: Stacey Dooley ‘so proud’ of boyfriend Kevin Clifton as he exits the competition

Stacey Dooley called her boyfriend Kevin Clifton “the most incredible teacher” after he was knocked out of Strictly Come Dancing with his celebrity partner Anneka Rice.

Clifton was the BBC show’s reigning champion, having won last year with his now-girlfriend Dooley, but on Sunday night he and Rice made an early exit from the competition. 

The duo were eliminated after losing to David James and Nadiya Bychkova in the dance-off.

Posting a message on her Instagram Story after the show, Dooley said she was impressed by her boyfriend and his partner’s efforts. 

“I just wanted to say I am so proud of both of them,” she said. “But particularly Kevin. I just think he is the most incredible teacher and I think she was so lucky to have had him.

“And she did that beautiful waltz.”

She went on: “It’s very easy to be proud of someone when you are winning and when you are flying high and it’s all going brilliantly.”

“But it’s also very important to tell them that you think they are wicked when they are the second to get knocked out. So yes, well done,” Dooley concluded. 

Dooley had been in the audience to watch Clifton and Rice’s Movies Week performance and posted a picture of herself backstage alongside the caption: ”His biggest fan.” 

Unfortunately, their Kill Bill-themed Charleston failed to impress the judges, landing them at the bottom of the leaderboard. 

At the other end, Kelvin Fletcher and Oti Mabuse received the first 10s of the series for their Mary Poppins-themed dance. 

Michelle Visage also wowed the panel and studio audience, with her Quickstep to the title track from Cabaret. 

Strictly Come Dancing continues next Saturday on BBC1.

Additional reporting by Press Association.