Former Strictly Come Dancing professional dancer Joanne Clifton has announced she is pregnant with her partner AJ Jenks, just months after the couple revealed their engagement.
Pregnancy Announcement
The dancer and theatre star shared the news on social media with a picture of a London Underground Baby On Board badge, which is typically worn to alert other passengers that the wearer needs a seat due to pregnancy. In the caption, her partner AJ Jenks joked that the baby would be named: "ErlingbellinghamDebrunyeLennonMcCartneyTaylorHansonHelenMcroryClaudiaWinklemanAlanCarrBuddyHollyPollyShermanPrincessFiona Clifton-Jenks", before adding: "Cya (see you) in September."
Congratulations from Fellow Stars
Numerous past and present Strictly stars posted messages of congratulations, including dancers Amy Dowden, Carlos Gu, Dianne Buswell, and Michelle Tsiakkas. Former Strictly dancer Oti Mabuse wrote: "Incredible news." Janette Manrara, former Strictly dancer and It Takes Two host, shared: "Amazing news." Fleur East, also from It Takes Two, posted: "Wooo, congratulations." Karen Hauer, Joanne's former sister-in-law and a dancer, commented: "Aww wonderful news!! Congratulations." Emmerdale star Lisa Riley added: "Congratulations what wonderful news."
Her brother Kevin Clifton, who was also a Strictly professional, posted three hearts to congratulate the couple, as did his partner Stacey Dooley.
Engagement and Relationship
The pregnancy news follows Joanne's engagement announcement in October 2025. She went public with her relationship with AJ Jenks in 2020. Joanne previously admitted that AJ changed her mind about dating someone from the industry. Speaking to Metro in 2022, she said: "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."
Joanne's Strictly Career
Joanne appeared on Strictly Come Dancing from 2014 to 2016, winning the 14th series with celebrity contestant Ore Oduba. She also appeared as an expert presenter on It Takes Two in 2015 and 2019. In her first series (12th), she placed 11th with former Radio 2 DJ Scott Mills, who was sacked by the BBC in March 2026. Since leaving Strictly, Joanne has performed in stage shows including the UK tours of Shrek the Musical and The Addams Family. Most recently, she has been starring as Polly in the UK tour of Fawlty Towers: The Play.
