Strictly stars stay close on the floor

The former world champion dancers, who married in 2015, bring their latest tour of the Kevin & Karen Dance show to the Opera House next Friday, July 20.

Throughout last year’s series of Strictly, they were hounded by tabloid rumours surrounding their private lives, eventually confirming their split in March.

But they say as dancers, they’re closer than ever.

“Our tour actually feels re-energised lately, and the news hasn’t changed how we dance together,” Kevin said. “If anything, it’s given us more of a connection and brought us closer on the dancefloor.”

While Kevin’s a ballroom star - taking titles and trophies galore at Blackpool’s various dance festivals, Karen’s background is in Latin, but they share various inspirations in creating their stage production.

“In dance specifically the old school Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly have inspired us both,” Karen said. “Matthew Bourne is a big influence.

“The show is about great showmen, big characters and so on.

“We love a big performer and draw a lot of inspiration from great entertainers like Michael Jackson, Beyonce and Robbie Williams.

“For us it’s about how you feel when watching dance, not the greater spectacle so much.”

Kevin added: “After last year’s successful sell-out tour, we have put all of our engines to full throttle to make sure this year’s tour just as big a success and, even more important, as entertaining and fun as it was last year.

“We’re really looking forward to setting the scene with new storylines, music, choreography, costumes and dancers that will make you want to get up off your seat and dance along with us.

“Plus, we have searched the globe and really invested in getting the best possible talent on stage.”

- Kevin And Karen Dance, Opera House, Friday, July 20.