Strictly’s Kevin Clifton details ‘crushing’ family discovery

Come dance strictly star Kevin Clifton has spoken of delving deep into his family’s history to Who do you think you are?.

The ballroom dancer revealed he discovered more than he bargained for on the BBC show by learning about his ancestry.

Reflecting on the emotional experience, Clifton explained how “crushing” it was to investigate her family’s past.

Kevin Clifton

David M. Benet//Getty Images

Related: StrictlyAmy Dowden shares update on show’s future amid cancer battle

Chat exclusively with digital spythe old Strictly pro detailed the “connection” he felt with his past and his family.

“It’s so strange because where my story ended, I’m so far from there,” he explained. “As a 40-year-old white man in England, you know, I’m so far from where the story ended.

“But you get this weird sense of connection. I felt so defensive and protective of some of these real people who were part of my family – some of my ancestors.

“Hearing the stories about them, I suddenly felt so protective of them, like I knew them.”

Kevin Clifton on Strictly It Takes Two

BBC

Related: StrictlyShirley Ballas in “weekly” contact with Amy Dowden

“It’s such a weird feeling because obviously I’ve never met these people and their lives are so far removed from mine,” he added. Strictly star continued. “But you can’t help but feel connected and say ‘Oh my god, this happened to someone in my family’.

“It’s like my back is going up a bit and yeah, it’s getting overwhelming. It’s amazing how you actually feel.”

Kevin Clifton posing for a strictly ballroom UK tour

david hogan

Related: StrictlyStacey Dooley pays tribute to Kevin Clifton on first Father’s Day

THE Strictly star has already hinted his Who do you think you are? trip took him overseas, although he expected his family history to revolve around his hometown of Grimsby.

Clifton revealed he was stunned that the show took him “on a plane halfway around the world”.

However, since he’s kept a tight-lipped about exactly where his travels have taken him, Clifton fans will have to tune in to find out.

Kevin Clifton’s episode of Who do you think you are? is available to watch Thursday, June 22 at 9 p.m. on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

Come dance strictly broadcast on BBC One, while the spin-off Strictly: it takes two broadcast on BBC Two. Both shows are available to stream on BBC iPlayer.

Interested in talking about Come dance strictly? Visit our dedicated sub-forum

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