Who is Joanne Clifton? Ex-Strictly Come Dancing professional who won with Ore Oduba in 2016
JOANNE Clifton took part in the 2016 series of Strictly Come Dancing as a professional dancer - and WON!
Joanne was partnered with BBC sport reporter Ore Oduba but won't be repeating her feat as she quit the BBC series and announced a venture into theatre. Here's the lowdown...
Who is Joanne Clifton?
Like her brother Kevin, Joanne was destined for a career as a successful dancer, their parents both being world champions.
She won the World Ballroom Showdance Championship in 2013 and also won the European equivalent and the World Dancesport Games.
Joanna retired from competitive dancing in December 2013 and joined her brother as a dancer in the Burn The Floor dance company touring Japan and Australia.
In 2014, Joanne joined Strictly Come Dancing and and also appeared as an expert presenter on spin-off It Takes Two in 2015.
When she's not dancing, Joanne likes to sing. “Like dancing, I'm just in my own world when I'm actually doing it”.
What is Joanne up to now that she's quit Strictly Come Dancing?
Joanne revealed that she was quitting Strictly Come Dancing in June ahead of the 2017 series where three news dancers were announced.
It's since been confirmed that Joanne will join the touring production of Flashdance alongside A1 frontman and hunky hearthrob Ben Adams.
Flashdance The Musical kicked off in Glasgow in August and travels across the nation before finishing in Milton Keynes in July 2018. So far Joanne has only been confirmed for the 2017 dates.
The theatre production is based on the 1983 movie of the same name. It tells the story of Alex Owens, an 18-year-old welder with aspirations to become a professional dancer.
The Strictly winner is no stranger to the world of theatre after playing the title role of Millie Dillmount in the UK tour of Thoroughly Modern Millie.
Joanne sent her compliments to new Strictly professional Nadiya Bychkova, writing: "Massive hugs and good luck to my friend @NadiyaBychkova for @bbcstrictly ! We trained at the same school in Italy!!!"
more strictly gossip
When did Joanne win Strictly Come Dancing with Ore Oduba?
Joanne was said to be one of the most highly decorated dancers on Strictly, being crowned world ballroom champion in 2014 and five times British Champion.
She was paired with Ore Oduba in 2016 and their pairing became a quick favourite with both the judges and the home crowd.
They were crowned champions on December 17, 2016 with an astonishing set of scores for their final three dances.
Performing American Smooth to Singing In The Rain, they scored 39 points out of a possible 40. And then on their Showdance effort to I Got Rhythm, and Jive to Runaway Baby, they scored 40 out of 40 points.
