Stacey Dooley has announced that she’s given birth to her first child alongside partner Kevin Clifton, who she met back in 2018 when they were paired together on Strictly Come Dancing.
Their daughter, who they’ve named Minnie, is the latest tot to join a new generation of kids born to Strictly Come Dancing pros and their partners – some of whom met through the show itself.
Some of the celebs who've found lasting love (and eventually a family) from their stints on the show include Ben Cohen and Rachel Riley.
Here are all the Strictly pros with little ones…
Stacey Dooley and Kevin Clifton
TV presenter Stacey Dooley, 35, has welcomed her first child with her Strictly Pro partner Kevin Clifton.
The pair met during her stint on the show, which her ex Sam Tucknott eventually blamed for his breakup with the star.
Stacey and Kevin welcomed their first child, a daughter named Minnie, on 17 January 2023.
Artem Chigvintsev
Russian-American ballroom dancer Artem appeared on three seasons of Strictly Come Dancing, starting in 2010.
In 2020, Artem welcomed his first child – a son named Matteo – with his then fiance Nikki Bella.
Nikki Bella, who is a former WWE wrestling star, and Artem tied the knot in 2022.
Pasha Kovalev and Rachel Riley
Like Stacey Dooley, Countdown star Rachel Riley met her husband when she was partnered up with Pasha on Strictly Come Dancing.
The duo proved that Strictly relationships could be long lasting as they’ve since gone on to have two kids.
They had their first daughter, Maven, in 2020 and welcomed a second, Noa, in November 2021.
Brendan Cole
Brendan Cole was one of the first dancers to appear on Strictly back in 2004, and stayed on the show until 2018.
He also appeared as a judge on the New Zealand version of the show.
Brendan and wife Zoe Hobbs have two kids; they welcomed daughter Aurelia in 2012 and had a son named Dante six years later in 2018.
Nadiya Bychkova
Ukrainian dancer Nadiya Bychkova joined Strictly Come Dancing in 2017.
The 33 year old shares her seven year old daughter Mila with her ex husband Sergey Konovaltsev.
Erin Boag
Erin Boag was one of the show’s original pro dancers and appeared on ten series of Strictly.
However, she never managed to cinch the trophy – coming closest with athlete Colin Jackson, who was the runner up in his series, and comedian Julian Clary, who she finished third with.
Erin’s regular professional partner was Anton Du Beke, who is also the godfather to her son Ewan, who she welcomed in 2014 with her partner Peter.
James and Ola Jordan
Pro couple James and Ola Jordan, who have both appeared as pro dancers on Strictly, have been married since 2003.
They welcomed their first child in February 2022, after a three year struggle to conceive that ended with them turning to IVF.
The pair eventually had a daughter who they named Ella.
Darren Bennett and Lilia Kopylova
Darren and Lilia were both pros who appeared on Strictly at the same time, and also competed together in Latin dancing around the world.
The couple both starred on the show from 2004 to 2009, and they now teach private lessons from a studio in Sheffield.
Darren and Lilia have been married since 1999 and now have two daughters, seven year old Valentina and three year old Lulu.
Gemma Atkinson and Gorka Marquez
Former glamour model and actress Gemma Atkinson met her fiance Gorka Marquez when she took part in Strictly Come Dancing in 2017 – despite not actually being paired with her beau.
During her stint on the show, Gemma actually danced with pro Aljaz Skorjanec.
The two nonetheless bonded and welcomed a baby girl named Mia in 2019.
Natalie Lowe
Aussie Ballroom dancer first found fame when she appeared as a pro on the Australian version of Dancing with the Stars, before joining Strictly Come Dancing in 2009.
Natalie never won the show, but did come second alongside her first ever partner Ricky Whittle during series seven.
In December 2020, Natalie and husband James Knibbs welcomed their son Jack.
Kristina Rihanoff and Ben Cohen
Ben Cohen and his Strictly partner Kristina Rihanoff made headlines when it emerged that they had started a romance in 2013.
At the time, Ben was still married to his ex Abby Blayney, who he shares two kids with.
However, the romance has endured and the pair announced the birth of their daughter, Milena, not long after Ben finalised his divorce.
Iveta Lukosiute
Lithuanian pro Iveta Lukosiute appeared on Strictly for two years between 2012 and 2014.
Iveta and her husband Jenya Raytses have since had two kids together.
They welcomed their first, a boy named Vidas, in 2016, before struggling to conceive their second and suffering two miscarriages.
The pair later had their second, daughter Ilana, in April 2020.
Anton Du Beke
Former ballroom star Anton Du Beke might not be known for his dancing performances on the show anymore, but the dancer turned judge is very much still a staple of the show.
Anton joined all the way back in 2004, when they show first launched, and rapidly became a fan favourite.
In 2017, the 56 year old welcomed twins with his partner Hannah Summers via IVF.
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