Former Strictly Come Dancing professional dancer Joanne Clifton has announced she is pregnant with her partner AJ Jenks.
The 42-year-old announced the pregnancy with a picture of a London Underground Baby On Board badge, usually worn to alert other passengers that the wearer needs a seat as they are pregnant.
In a comment on the post her partner joked the baby would be called “ErlingbellinghamDebrunyeLennonMcCartneyTaylorHansonHelenMcroryClaudiaWinklemanAlanCarrBuddyHollyPollyShermanPrincessFiona Clifton-Jenks”, before adding “cya (see you) in September”.
A number of the stars of the BBC dancing show past and present posted messages of “congratulations” including dancers Amy Dowden, Carlos Gu, Dianne Buswell and Michelle Tsiakkas.
Fellow former Strictly dancer Oti Mabuse posted: “Incredible news.”
Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two presenter and former Strictly dancer Janette Manrara added: “Amazing news.”
Fellow It Takes Two Fleur East posted: “Wooo, congratulations.”
Her brother Kevin, who was also previously a Strictly professional dancer, posted three hearts to congratulate his sister and her partner.
Clifton was congratulated by a number of Strictly stars (Ian West/PA)PA ArchiveClifton appeared on Strictly between 2014 to 2016, winning the show’s 14th series with celebrity contestant, TV and radio presenter Ore Oduba. She also appeared as an expert presenter on It Takes Two in 2015 and 2019.
In the show’s 12th series, she placed 11th with former Radio 2 Breakfast Show DJ Scott Mills, who was sacked by the BBC in March.
Since leaving Strictly, she has appeared on a number of stage shows including the UK tours of Shrek the Musical and The Addams Family.
Clifton has most recently been starring as Polly in the UK tour of Fawlty Towers: The Play.