Stacey Dooley hints she was originally planned to partner up with AJ Pritchard on Strictly

by

Stacey Dooley has hinted she was originally planned to be paired up with AJ Pritchard during her winning stint on the 2018 edition of Strictly Come Dancing.

The broadcaster, 33, joined her dance partner-turned-boyfriend Kevin Clifton on the latest edition of his eponymous podcast to discuss the early stages of her appearance on the show, admitting she ‘pushed’ for her now-beau, 37.

While clarifying that contestants do not hold the power of who they embark on their Strictly journey with, the presenter and the ballroom pro confessed they were ‘vocal’ about their preferences to bosses.

Plot twist! Stacey Dooley has hinted she was planned to be paired up with AJ Pritchard during her winning stint on the 2018 edition of Strictly Come Dancing (pictured with Kevin Clifton)

Detailing the production process, Kevin, who confirmed his divorce from Karen Hauer months earlier, said: ‘I remember going to rehearsals in August, I caught wind you did tried out with Neil Jones. 

‘I was a big fan of you and your documentaries, for the last couple of you I tweeted you and you’d respond, well I don’t know whether it was you or your team. I thought you’d be great to talk to, I thought you would be so serious.’

Insisting she believed they’d be coupled with other stars of the series, Stacey added: ‘I imagine at some point, total speculation, that you were meant to have Lauren [Steadman] or Katie [Piper] and they were going to put me with AJ. 

‘I pushed for you for whatever reason. If I hadn’t been so vocal, I wouldn’t have gotten you. I really wanted you. You’re so nurturing and patient.

'I really wanted you, I thought I was going to be with AJ [pictured in 2019]': The broadcaster, 33, discussed the early stages of her appearance on the show

‘I really wanted you, I thought I was going to be with AJ [pictured in 2019]’: The broadcaster, 33, discussed the early stages of her appearance on the show

'I would like Kevin please!' While clarifying that contestants do not hold the power of who they embark on their journey with, the presenter confessed she was 'vocal' about her preference

‘I would like Kevin please!’ While clarifying that contestants do not hold the power of who they embark on their journey with, the presenter confessed she was ‘vocal’ about her preference

‘I remember telling Louise, I would like Kevin please! She told me it doesn’t really work like that [laughs]’.

The Grimsby native, who has since announced his departure from the show, echoed her comments, adding: ‘I think the original plan was you and AJ, we never know, the plan always changes. We 100% never know until the moment Tess [Daly, host] says it!’  

Documentary filmmaker Stacey also admitted she was intimidated by the female professionals gym-honed figures when she started the experience.

The author said: ‘I remember looking at the beautiful pros, Janette [Manrara] with their head up their a** and f***ing leg up there. 

'I remember looking at them with their head up their a**': The filmmaker also admitted she was intimidated by the female professionals gym-honed figures (Janette Manrara pictured in 2014)

‘I remember looking at them with their head up their a**’: The filmmaker also admitted she was intimidated by the female professionals gym-honed figures (Janette Manrara pictured in 2014)

‘I remember thinking, is this some kind of joke? What do we look like? Katie was already in good look as she trains, but I thought, what are we doing?’

Elsewhere in the candid discussion, Kevin revealed the BBC refused his request to dress up as Edward Scissorhands for the show’s Halloween week. 

Sharing the reason behind their denial, the choreographer explained: ‘Every year I suggest Edward Scissorhands. The imagery is really strong.

‘They worry about the Scissorhands aspect – that kids are going to the watch Scissorhands and then start playing with scissors. It’s a BBC concern.’

'The imagery is strong': Elsewhere, Kevin revealed the BBC refused his request to dress up as Edward Scissorhands (Johnny Depp pictured as the character) for the show's Halloween week

‘The imagery is strong’: Elsewhere, Kevin revealed the BBC refused his request to dress up as Edward Scissorhands (Johnny Depp pictured as the character) for the show’s Halloween week

'Kids aren’t going to have a cannon, I suppose': Stacey later referred to when 2011 contestant Russell Grant was fired from a cannon for his bold routine (pictured)

‘Kids aren’t going to have a cannon, I suppose’: Stacey later referred to when 2011 contestant Russell Grant was fired from a cannon for his bold routine (pictured)

Stacey later referred to when 2011 contestant Russell Grant was fired from a cannon for his bold routine.

Defending the executives decision, Kevin laughed: ‘Kids aren’t going to have a cannon, I suppose.’

Stacey and Kevin first embarked on a romance in April 2019, and are said to have moved in with each other a month later. 

The media personality settled into the dancer’s flat after leaving the home she shared with her former partner Sam Tucknott, 31, in Brighton. 

Smitten: The couple first embarked on a romance in April 2019, and are said to have moved in with each other a month later

Smitten: The couple first embarked on a romance in April 2019, and are said to have moved in with each other a month later

Split: The media personality settled into the dancer's flat after leaving the home she shared with her former partner Sam Tucknott, 31, in Brighton (pictured in 2018)

Split: The media personality settled into the dancer’s flat after leaving the home she shared with her former partner Sam Tucknott, 31, in Brighton (pictured in 2018)