Strictly Come Dancing star visit Oasis Academy Immingham

TALENTED young dancers had a day to remember when they met Grimsby's new star of the hit TV show Strictly Come Dancing.

Kevin Clifton and his fiancee, Karen Hauer, paid a special visit to Oasis Academy Immingham to meet dozens of excited young dance fans.

They made a dazzling guest appearance there just a couple of hours after news broke that Kevin would be joining the popular BBC programme as one of the new professional dancers.

Kevin, 30, will feature along with fellow professional dancer Karen, 31, who danced with Westlife singer Nicky Byrne on the previous series and made it to week ten.

Kevin is the son of Keith and Judy Clifton, of Waltham, who run Clifton's Dance Academy, which is very popular in the Grimsby area and further afield.

The visit to Immingham was to meet fans at a competition being staged by Keith and Judy's academy. There were delighted chants of "Kev, Kev, Kev" as young dancers rushed to meet the couple and to be photographed with them.

Keith said: "We run a dozen competitions, mainly in Scunthorpe at the Baths Hall, but this is a smaller one that we run just through the holidays."

When he introduced Kevin and Karen to the cheering dancers, Keith described them as "two of the most famous people in the world who are on Strictly Come Dancing" and added: "They have come here to say 'hello' to you."

Kevin said he was very pleased to meet the young dancers, especially as he started his dancing at the academy.

"I used to be part of mum and dad's dance academy myself so I do like these competitions," he said.

"There are a lot of fans here – and some voters, I hope."

Kevin and Karen got engaged in April live on the stage of the West End musical Burn The Floor where they had been appearing.

Keith and Judy – former world number ones and four times the British Latin American champions – were in the audience when Kevin proposed. Academy member Eleanor Slater, 14, of Aylesby Park, Grimsby, said: "It's absolutely fantastic that we have got so close to professional dancers and we can relate to things.

"I can't wait for them to appear on Strictly. They are absolutely fantastic.

"They are two of the best dancers I have ever seen."

Her sister, Erin Slater, 12, said: "They are really nice. They have come so far and we are so proud of them."

Beatrice Middleditch, 14, of New Waltham, said: "I think it's absolutely brilliant that they are on Strictly.

"I will be supporting them. They are a cute and capable couple and I hope they really go far on Strictly."

Amelia Steel, 14, of Healing, said: "It's really good that they are going on Strictly. They are a good couple.

"We are really proud of them. They are going to be really good on the show."

After their Immingham guest appearance, Kevin and Karen were due to head back to London, where they live. They had spent the weekend with Kevin's parents in Waltham and visited various places in Grimsby while they were there. Both were kept busy keeping track of the many messages of congratulations and good luck that they received on Twitter.

They spared the time while at Waltham to give detailed interviews to the Grimsby Telegraph about their forthcoming appearances on Strictly Come Dancing.

Soon the stage will be set for the launch show of the new series – and they will find out who their celebrity dance partners will be.

One thing is for certain. They will have no shortage of fans in this area.

Until then ... keeeeep dancing!