Karen Clifton says ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ has taken its toll on her relationship with Kevin Clifton.
The 35-year-old professional dancer has been married to her 35-year-old spouse for two years, and though the brunette beauty insists "everything is fine" between them both, she has admitted it is "not as easy" maintaining a strong marriage while working on the BBC One show.
Speaking to The Sun Online, she said: "Everything is fine. It adds a little bit of spark to the relationship and it just means that we care about each other. We just need to keep pushing and relationships take work, it’s not as easy as you think, especially being in a job like ‘Strictly’."
However, the star believes every relationship has their fair share of "ups and downs", but it does not mean you give up and have to part ways, as couples have to "make it work" instead.
She continued: "We’re just a regular couple, we’ve been together for seven years and like any other relationship you have your ups and downs and nothing is ever perfect so you make it work."
Karen, who was paired with Simon Rimmer on the popular latin and ballroom dance show but were booted off in week six, has hinted she is glad her partner and Susan Calman have left the show because it’s "nice" to have Kevin at home with her.
She said: "He’s doing great, he’s resting so he’s actually getting some sleep now.
"I always take care of him so if anything I always come home and I cook for him and do his laundry so it’s just nice to have him home.
"There’s been lots of wine drinking and taking naps."
Karen is not the only one who has admitted ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ puts a strain on a marriage, as Kevin has admitted he has found the last few weeks competing in the programme "hard".
He previously said: " Strictly’ is a hard few weeks for everyone and Karen and I have found this year’s particularly hard as we have been in different places since the start — with her in Manchester and now London and me in Glasgow.
"I’m looking forward to getting home."
Karen Clifton says ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ takes its toll on her relationship
