Strictly Come Dancing star Karen Clifton steps out with accountant lover amid rumours she’s set to split from husband Kevin
STRICTLY Come Dancing star Karen Clifton has been spotted introducing her new man to close friends, as sources say she looks set to split from her husband Kevin.
The professional dancers have been married for two years and became a popular fixture on the BBC show after Karen joined in 2012 and Kevin arrived 12 months later.
But The Sun revealed their marriage had hit a rocky patch two weeks ago, with Kevin admitting this series of the dancing contest had proved a major strain.
And on Sunday Karen, 35, was seen introducing accountant Stuart Wood, 27, to close friends as they enjoyed a day out together in London’s Primrose Hill.
An onlooker revealed: “Karen and her new bloke certainly didn’t seem to be hiding anything. They were out together with friends and looked relaxed and happy.
“But there was no hiding in corners or avoiding being spotted. They didn’t seem worried at all about the controversy about being seen together.”
Karen has been growing close to the younger man for several weeks, with Stuart pictured leaving her London home just two minutes after her on Saturday morning.
Two days earlier he had been seen dropping the Venezuelan star off at home along with her dog Betty at around 9am, before joining Stuart’s workmates for drinks at a pub in Wimbledon, South West London, that evening.
And yesterday sources close to the pair claimed they are now separated, despite being set to embark on a lucrative 44 date tour together next year.
A Strictly source claimed: “Kevin and Karen still danced together in the group routines this weekend, but beyond performances they seemed to be keeping their distance.
“Things are obviously very awkward between them. The understanding now is that they have sadly decided to split.”
Kevin previously admitted they had been struggling, but insisted he hoped they would repair the relationship.
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He said: “Strictly’s a hard few weeks for everyone involved and Karen and I have found this year’s Strictly particularly hard as we have been in different places since the start — with her in Manchester and now London and me in Glasgow.
“I obviously would love to get as far as possible with Susan who has been amazing, but I’m looking forward to getting home.”
Representatives for the couple declined to comment.