Stacey Dooley dumped her boyfriend because Strictly’s Kevin Clifton was ‘better for her career’

RUTHLESS Stacey Dooley dumped her boyfriend for her Strictly Come Dancing co-star Kevin Clifton because he was “better for her image”.

Sources close to Stacey, 32, told The Sun her close circle had warned her career could be hampered by her relationship with personal trainer Sam Tucknott.

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Heartbroken Sam, 30, said Stacey told him she’d fallen for “slimy snake” Kevin after spending 14 hours a day together on the BBC1 series. But those close to her said the end of their five-year-relationship wasn’t just driven by her heart.

A source said: “Getting on Strictly made Stacey a household name but winning was her breakthrough. The team around her had been preparing to propel her into the mainstream spotlight. They felt Sam could hold Stacey back.”

Stacey has presented multiple TV documentaries on the BBC, including her online series Stacey Dooley Investigates, but has failed to break onto bigger platforms.

Stacey, who’s currently working in Colorado, America, on a new documentary broke her silence on Monday after Sam spoke out. She tweeted there were “two sides to every story”.

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Reaching out to Sam, she added: “Re Sam, I loved him v much and only wish him happiness and success going forward.”

Just hours after her tweet, three-time divorcee Kevin, 36, broke his cover and was pictured out for the first time since Sam’s tell-all interview in The Sun on Sunday.

He seemed in good spirits as he had a coffee with pals in London.

Sam supported Stacey on Strictly and was a regular in the audience. But those close to her didn’t feel he was good enough.

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A source added: “Sam turned up to the studios in a tracksuit a couple of times and there were raised eyebrows.

“Stacey’s team want her with someone sharp and shiny. Kevin has charisma, he’s a household name and he’s well liked. Stacey knows that too — as well as falling for him, she knows Kevin will help lift her.”

The Sun has contacted Stacey’s representatives for comment.

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