Strictly EXC: Karen Clifton on being HAPPY if ex Kevin starts dating
Despite announcing their split in March, Karen and Kevin Clifton have still embarked on a national dance tour and remain firm friends.
And the Strictly Come Dancing stunner proved the depth of the friendship as she spoke exclusively to MailOnline about their unique relationship and how she would be happy for him to find love - despite her own reluctance for romance.
The 36-year-old Venezuelan dancer spoke of her delight as she was confirmed for the forthcoming series of the BBC show on Wednesday, yet confessed she has struggled with the departure of fellow stars - including Brendan Cole, who was fired.
Happy days: Karen Clifton proved the depth of her friendship with estranged husband Kevin as she spoke exclusively to MailOnline about their unique relationship and how she would be happy for him to find love - despite her own reluctance for romance
Karen has danced on Strictly for seven years - making her the longest running female pro - and kicked off her TV dance career alongside husband Kevin, however they sadly revealed the demise of their three year marriage earlier this year.
Evidently the best of friends, the couple did not allow their split to prevent them touring as they embarked on their Kevin And Karen Dance tour following the incredible sell-out success of their first nationwide tour last year.
Insisting their relationship is strong and healthy, she said: 'It's great working with Kevin. It's always been great and nothing's changed with him...
'It's really nice and it feels nice. People have this stigma that it 'has' to be nasty if things don't work out the way they work out, but it doesn't have to be nasty at all.
Closer than ever: The 36-year-old Venezuelan dancer spoke of her delight as she was confirmed for the forthcoming series of the BBC show on Wednesday, yet confessed she has struggled with the departure of fellow stars - including Brendan Cole, who was fired
'We love that we have this special bond and we get along great and we have this great chemistry on the dance floor and off the dance floor we're really good friends.
'We're both happy, we both have the tour and we both have Strictly and we're just trying to stay positive and it's about spreading the love.'
As with any former couple and certainly any professional partners, arguments are inevitable, yet Karen insists their disagreements are healthy and mature.
She said: 'If there's anything we don't agree on we talk about it like adults but we're working in an environment where we're both very passionate about what we do so if there's any disagreement we talk about it and find the best solution...
'It's always been good working together whether we're a couple or not. We've both always been very focused on our passion - which is dancing...
Tough: While she is delighted at her own comeback, she confessed news of Brendan Cole's departure, after a controversial sacking, alongside Chloe Hewitt, 22, has been hard
'That's never been an issue and we've always been focused on what we need to do. And again, people think there needs to be some kind of issue but there doesn't. Especially not for Kevin and I and we're just doing our job and keeping the peace.'
On finding love, defiant Karen insists her heaving schedule means romance is firmly off the cards - yet she would not be opposed to her ex dating.
She went on: 'The only person I'm dating is my dog Becky and that's the only person I'm seeing, who I love very much. I have zero time to look for love.
Her true love: She went on: 'The only person I'm dating is my dog Becky (pictured) and that's the only person I'm seeing, who I love very much. I have zero time to look for love
'I have so much going on and it's a busy and exciting time. I'd be ok if Kevin started dating. It's one of those things where if he's happy, I'm happy. You don't need to have drama, you don't need any negativity and you just need the same mindset and the same goal.'
On dating one of her Strictly co-stars, Karen's rules are extremely firm: 'I don't mix business and pleasure, I've always been very professional when it comes to Strictly and all my partners have always been very good friends of mine and I don't see it like that and I wouldn't want to get involved with any of my partners.'
While she is delighted at her own comeback, she confessed news of Brendan Cole's departure, after a controversial sacking, alongside Chloe Hewitt, 22, has been hard.
Stunner: Clearly over the moon at her own return, she continued: 'I'm really excited! I get to breathe now! It's like Christmas day, you get your best present, the present you've always wanted'
She said: 'It's always a big shock when fellow dancers leave the show. Like Chloe is such a lovely and beautiful dancer and Brendan, he was there from the beginning so it's hard to see and they'll be missed.
'We haven't been able to be in touch because he was on tour and we all do different things but I'm sure I will be in touch.'
Karen also revealed she is delighted to see the arrival of newbies Graziano Di Prima, 24, Johannes Radebe, 31, and Luba Mushtuk, 28, yet admitted they will keep the pre-existing stars on their toes.
She said: 'It's so great to see Luba, Johannes and Graziano, it's going to be an amazing series and it's always great to bring in fresh blood and new cast members. It's always great to keep things fresh and to push us - the old ones!'
The newbies: Karen also revealed she is delighted to see the arrival of newbies Johannes Radebe, 31, Luba Mushtuk, 28, and Graziano Di Prima, 24, (left-right) yet admitted they will keep the pre-existing stars on their toes
Clearly over the moon at her own return, she continued: 'I'm really excited! I get to breathe now! It's like Christmas day, you get your best present, the present you've always wanted.
'Seriously it's a joy to be brought back. It's my seventh series and I'm the longest standing female pro so that means the world to me to be back for another series. I wasn't really worried about being asked back.
'It's one of these things, it's part of being a performer, you always want the job and you always want the call and I've always loved working on Strictly so you're always worried but you go 'if it's my time, its my time'.'
Despite her delight, she admits Strictly can be tough in parts: 'There's long hours and it's exhausting but Strictly is always an enjoyable show to do. It's like any job, it's tough and you want to do your best with everything you do.
Ideal partner: On who she would love to take on the dancefloor, Karen confessed Joe Wicks, also known as The Body Coach, would be in her sights: 'The Body Coach would be my dream dance partner! I think he should definitely do Strictly'
'You want to work as hard as you can but it's definitely tough mentally and physically but I've done it for seven years and I hope I've got the hang of it now!'
On who she would love to take on the dancefloor, Karen confessed Joe Wicks, also known as The Body Coach, would be in her sights: 'The Body Coach would be my dream dance partner! I think he should definitely do Strictly.'
Karen is certainly keeping busy as she is not only touring with her estranged husband but also running her dance school KAKE, taking her Dancer Experience on tour and hosting a ‘Ladies First’ event with fellow Strictly stars Janette Manrara and Katya Jones at the London Excel in August.
Living it up: The Ladies First event will drive to boost body confidence as Karen lauds the inspirational message of 'loving ourselves and our bodies'
The Ladies First event will drive to boost body confidence as Karen lauds the inspirational message of 'loving ourselves and our bodies'.
She said: 'We always have things we need to look out for and I've always been very focused around my health and fitness and my mother used to yoga and running and she taught me a lot about taking care of myself and that's what I'm trying to promote with Janette and Katya.
'Being in the public eye, you're always criticised - like you're too skinny, your lips aren't the best, you're not pretty enough and I think we need to love ourselves and support each other. I have three nieces and they look up to me and I think it's important we teach our little girls and little boys to love themselves no matter what.'
Karen is currently on tour, tickets available at www.kevinandkarenlive.com