Most people know Kevin Clifton as the ginger whirlwind who lifted the Glitterball Trophy with Stacey Dooley in 2018, but the dance floor has also been the backdrop for a surprisingly tangled personal story. Whether you’re a long-time *Strictly* viewer or just catching up on the gossip, the timeline of who married whom, who danced with whom, and who ended up with whom often blurs together.

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This article sorts the verified facts from the speculation, tracing Kevin’s relationships from his early days in Grimsby to his current life as a father and stage star.

Snapshot: Kevin Clifton at a Glance

1Identity
  • Full Name: Kevin James Clifton [1]
  • Age: 41 (born 13 October 1982) [1]
  • Place of Birth: Grimsby, England [1]
2Career
  • Occupation: Professional dancer, actor [1]
  • Strictly Debut: 2013 [1]
  • Notable Win: 2018 with Stacey Dooley [1]
3Relationships
  • Marriages: 3 total (Karen Hauer 2015–2020 most recent) [1]
  • First Marriage: Clare Craze (2007–2013) [1]
  • Current Partner: Stacey Dooley (since 2019, confirmed) [2]
4Family
  • Children: One daughter with Stacey Dooley [3]
  • Sister: Joanne Clifton (also a dancer) [1]

Marriage One: Clare Craze (2007–2013)

Long before the ballroom lights of *Strictly*, Kevin Clifton’s first marriage was to Clare Craze, a fellow dancer from the same competitive circuit. The couple married in 2007, but the union remained largely out of the public eye, as Kevin had not yet achieved national fame.

According to Wikipedia, this marriage ended quietly in 2013. The divorce was finalized just as Kevin was about to join *Strictly Come Dancing* as a professional for the first time — a timing that would soon catapult his name into tabloid headlines for reasons unrelated to his dancing.

The pattern is telling: this first marriage began and ended entirely outside the public eye, setting the stage for what would become a far more scrutinized personal life.

Marriage Two: Karen Hauer and the *Strictly* Era (2015–2020)

Kevin’s second marriage was to fellow *Strictly* professional Karen Hauer, whom he married on 11 July 2015 [1]. This marriage became an integral part of his public identity, with the pair presenting themselves as a united ballroom duo both on and off the dance floor.

The marriage lasted nearly five years before it was finalized in 2020, yet the couple never provided a public reason for their split. As confirmed by Wikipedia, the specific circumstances surrounding the divorce remain a private matter despite intense tabloid speculation.

The implication is clear: what happens between two people in a marriage doesn’t necessarily become public property simply because one of them is on television, and the absence of an official statement has not stopped the rumor mill from filling the void.

Bottom line: The Hauer marriage ended in 2020 with no official reason given, yet the tabloid narrative continues to define it in ways the confirmed facts do not support.

Stacey Dooley: The Partner Who Broke the Pattern

Kevin’s partnership with Stacey Dooley on the 2018 series of *Strictly* was professionally transformative — the pair won the Glitterball Trophy together [1]. By early 2019, the two had publicly confirmed they were in a relationship [2], just months after Kevin’s marriage to Hauer had effectively ended.

Tabloid coverage has persisted in framing the relationship through the lens of a “curse,” but the verified timeline tells a more nuanced story. Stacey’s previous five-year relationship with personal trainer Sam Higginbotham ended in 2018, and her later relationship with David Mundy also concluded before she went public with Kevin [2]. As noted by HELLO! Magazine, the relationship that emerged was built on a foundation of shared professional experience rather than the chaotic timeline rumor suggests.

The key distinction: despite the tabloid framing, there is no publicly available evidence of an affair during Kevin’s marriage. The relationship with Dooley was confirmed only after his marriage to Hauer had ended, and the two now share a daughter.

Bottom line: Kevin’s relationship with Stacey Dooley began after his marriage had ended, yet the “curse” narrative continues to overshadow the documented timeline.

Career Timeline and Lasting Legacy

While relationships have dominated the headlines, Kevin Clifton’s professional career tells a story of consistency and eventual triumph. He joined *Strictly Come Dancing* as a professional in 2013, was paired with a rotating cast of celebrities, and achieved the ultimate success in 2018 when he won with Stacey Dooley [1].

  • 2013: Joined *Strictly Come Dancing* as a professional [1]
  • 2016: Paired with Louise Redknapp [1]
  • 2018: Won the series with Stacey Dooley [1]
  • 2019: Confirmed relationship with Dooley [2]
  • 2020: Divorce from Karen Hauer finalized [1]

The pattern is one of professional growth that accelerated alongside personal scrutiny. Kevin’s career reached its peak at the same moment his private life became tabloid fodder, and he has since transitioned to stage work in the West End — no longer defined by the *Strictly* curse narrative, but by his own professional decisions.

The takeaway

The verified record shows a man whose career and personal life intersected at a single, high-profile moment — the 2018 *Strictly* win — but whose biography extends well beyond the tabloid headlines. The facts support a timeline of three marriages, one daughter, and a stable current partnership; the “curse” narrative remains exactly that — a narrative without confirmed evidence.

Additional sources

mirror.co.uk, en.wikipedia.org, mirror.co.uk, thefamouspeople.com, birminghammail.co.uk, express.co.uk, express.co.uk, dailymail.co.uk, emmahigginbotham.com

Key Relationships FAQ

How many times has Kevin Clifton been married?

Kevin Clifton has been married three times total — first to Clare Craze (2007–2013), then to Karen Hauer (2015–2020). His most recent marriage was to his *Strictly* co-star Karen Hauer, which ended in divorce in 2020 [1].

When did Kevin Clifton and Stacey Dooley get together?

Kevin and Stacey confirmed their relationship in early 2019, shortly after his divorce from Karen Hauer was announced. They had won *Strictly* together in 2018, and their professional partnership preceded the public confirmation of their personal relationship [2].

Did Kevin Clifton have an affair with Stacey Dooley?

Reports have been persistent, but there is no publicly available evidence to support this claim. The relationship was confirmed publicly in early 2019, after his marriage to Hauer had ended. No official source has corroborated the affair narrative [4].

Are Stacey Dooley and Kevin Clifton still together?

Yes, as confirmed by HELLO! Magazine and Stacey’s Wikipedia biography, Dooley is described as Kevin Clifton’s partner in both life and parenting. They share a daughter together.

Does Kevin Clifton have children?

Yes, he has one daughter with his current partner Stacey Dooley. Her name has not been publicly disclosed, and the family maintains a relatively private profile [3].

Why did Kevin Clifton and Karen Hauer break up?

Kevin and Karen have not publicly stated a specific reason for their divorce. The split was confirmed in January 2020, and both parties have maintained their privacy regarding the circumstances. Speculation remains just that — speculation [1].

Who was Kevin Clifton’s first wife?

Kevin’s first wife was Clare Craze, another dancer he married in 2007. Their divorce was finalized in 2013, the same year Kevin joined *Strictly Come Dancing* as a professional [1].

What is Kevin Clifton’s net worth?

Kevin Clifton’s net worth has not been publicly disclosed. This article treats all reported figures as unverified speculation and focuses on confirmed biographical facts from reliable sources.

The Takeaway: Separating Fact from the “Curse”

Looking at the verified facts, a pattern emerges that contradicts the “cheating scandal” narrative. Kevin Clifton’s romantic history spans three marriages and a long-term current relationship with Stacey Dooley, yet the timeline confirms that each relationship ended or began within documented boundaries: Craze divorce in 2013, Hauer divorce finalized in 2020, and the relationship with Dooley confirmed publicly in early 2019 [1][2].

What this means is straightforward: the tabloid narrative has become the story, even where the documented facts tell a simpler truth. The current status is stable — a father, a stage actor, and a professional dancer who has experienced the full arc of public life, from tabloid fodder to respected theatre performer. No official source has ever confirmed the “curse” narrative, and the verified timeline does not require it.