Strictly Come Dancing’s Katya Jones defends lothario Kevin Clifton after he hooked up with dance partner Stacey Dooley

STRICTLY Come Dancing star Katya Jones has defended lothario champion Kevin Clifton - after he secretly hooked up with his dance partner Stacey Dooley - insisting he is a professional.

It comes after documentary maker Stacey, 32, was outed as dating Kevin, 36, by her ex boyfriend personal trainer Sam Tucknott, 30.

This comes after the Russian Katya, who is married to fellow pro Neil Jones, 35, was snapped snogging her own dance partner comedian Seann Walsh, 33, just weeks into the live performances.

Katya said: “We love Kevin, he’s an amazing dancer and he does an amazing job on the show.

"As a professional no-one can say anything against him, he always takes his partner to the final, he has a passion for dance, he’s my friend and family on the show and a really good guy.”

Asked at it was the BBC flagship was still a family show at the Skinny Tan launch in London's 100 Wardour Street restaurant on Wednesday night she responded: “Do families and grandmas still watch it? Yes. So there you go.”

Despite, Katya's gaffe she has been allowed to remain on the show, along with her partner Neil.

However, Seann's girlfriend actress Rebecca Humphries quickly dumped the TV star.

The revelations about Kevin and Stacey's romance came to light when the pair met to discuss the end of their five-year relationship earlier this year.

Speaking to The Sun Sam said he was already "gutted and disappointed" by the break-up when he saw the text from Kevin to Stacey saying 'I love you'.

Meanwhile, it has emerged that three-times divorced Kevin met his third wife Karen Hauer, 37, while he was still married to his second ex-wife, Clare Craze.