The couple have shared a major career update, seven years after they won Strictly Come Dancing together
11:52, 16 Jul 2025
Stacey Dooley and Kevin Clifton to star in play together
Strictly Come Dancing stars Kevin Clifton and Stacey Dooley are set to reunite on stage for their dazzling return since clinching the trophy in 2018.
The duo, who sparked up a romance during their time on the BBC One show, have together embarked on a dream life, sharing joyful moments like the arrival of their daughter, Minnie.
They are now getting ready to share the spotlight once again, this time for the gripping stage thriller 2:22 – A Ghost Story, which embarks on a sweeping UK tour commencing at Manchester Opera House on 4 August 2025, running through to November the same year.
The play resumes from 8 January to 20 June 2026 for its second leg, with more cast members to be confirmed later.
Stacey is set to return as Jenny, a character she brought to life in a brief stint at the Gielgud Theatre in 2024, with Kevin stepping into the shoes of her husband, Sam, according to reports from the Manchester Evening News.
Kelvin Clifton and Stacey Dooley are back working together(Image: Kevin Clifton Instagram)READ MORE: Strictly star says ‘I’m back’ as fans demand the same thingREAD MORE: ITV’s John and Lisa’s Weekend Kitchen future ‘sealed’ after BBC MasterChef exit
With rehearsals imminent, the two have been sighted gearing up for the production’s kick-off in Manchester soon.
Over on Instagram, Kevin posted a photo with Stacey, captioning it: “Day 1 back working with this little fella again. Last time was 7 years ago @sjdooley @222aghoststory.”
The fan excitement is palpable in the Instagram comments section, brimming with anticipation for their stage comeback. A fan commented excitedly: “Can’t wait to watch you both in it, coming to Manchester next month.”
One enthusiast conveyed their eagerness, saying: “I can’t wait to see you both in it.”
Additional fans voiced their anticipation with remarks such as, “Coming to see you in Bristol and am more than excited!” and “Looking forward to seeing you in August in Manchester.”
Kevin Clifton and Stacey Dooley were paired together on Strictly(Image: BBC)
Kevin previously opened up about the dynamics of working closely with his real-life partner. Although Stacey, aged 38, is adept at separating her on-stage roles like Jenny from her personal life, Kevin, who is 42, takes a much different approach.
Known for his dedication, he often immerses himself completely into his characters, to the point where he might bring Sam, his latest role, back home with them. In an amusing twist, he even suggested that it could spell disaster for their relationship.
On the All That Chat podcast, Kevin mused about their low-conflict relationship, noting, “We’re not a very argumentative couple – touch wood – we don’t argue a lot.”
Following it up with optimism but aware of their differing methods, he added, “I’m sure it’ll be fine. But also, Stace and me are very different in that Stace can very much go do her job, do it great, and then leave it at the door and come home.”
He then admitted his own process, stating, “Whereas I’m a bit obsessive and I have to live and breathe the character. I’ll probably bring the character home, which might get interesting. It could be the ending of us.”