Strictly Come Dancing professional Joanne Clifton has announced she is pregnant with her first child. The 42-year-old dancer and her fiancé AJ Jenks shared the news on social media, posting a photograph of a London Underground Baby On Board badge and revealing a due date of December.
The couple added a playful caption: "Can't wait to meet ErlingbellinghamDebrunyeLennonMcCartneyTaylorHansonHelenMcroryClaudiaWinklemanAlanCarrBuddyHollyPollyShermanPrincessFiona Clifton-Jenks. Cya in December."
Former Strictly Colleagues Congratulate Joanne
A host of Joanne's former Strictly colleagues flooded the comments section with warm congratulations. Dianne Buswell, who welcomed her own first child earlier this year, offered her congratulations, while Joanne's brother Kevin, who lifted the Strictly trophy in 2019, responded with a string of love hearts. Karen Hauer said: "Aww wonderful news! ! Congratulations", Oti Mabuse posted: "Incredible news" and Janette Manrara exclaimed: "AMAZING NEWS!!!!"
Joanne's Strictly Career and Relationship
Joanne featured as a professional dancer on Strictly between 2014 and 2016, claiming victory in the show's 14th series alongside celebrity partner Ore Oduba. She also appeared as a regular expert presenter on It Takes Two in 2015 and 2019. Joanne and AJ became engaged in September, announcing the news with the caption, "Got bored ... so we're getting married. Cheers," accompanied by a photograph of her diamond ring. The couple have been together since 2020. Joanne previously revealed to the Metro: "Before I met my boyfriend AJ, I said to myself, I'm not going to go out with anyone from the industry. But you can't help what happens. I went to see AJ in the Buddy Holly musical and he asked me out for a drink. I was convinced it wasn't going to work but we've been together nearly two years now."
Post-Strictly Career in Musical Theatre
Since departing BBC's Strictly in 2016, Joanne has built an impressive career in musical theatre, taking on leading roles in major UK tours of The Addams Family, Shrek the Musical, Flashdance, and The Rocky Horror Show. Most recently, she has been playing the role of Polly in the UK tour of Fawlty Towers: The Play.
