Joanne Clifton, a professional dancer known for her time on "Strictly Come Dancing," is pregnant with her first child. The 42-year-old performer announced the news on social media, sharing that she and her fiancé, AJ Jenk, are expecting a baby in December.
Clifton shared her announcement with a photograph of a "Baby On Board" badge. Jenk further confirmed the due date in a lighthearted caption on Instagram, humorously listing a long string of names for their future child and concluding with "Cya in December."
Fellow "Strictly" stars, including Dianne Buswell, Oti Mabuse, and Clifton's brother Kevin Clifton, who also won the competition, offered their congratulations.
Clifton, who won "Strictly Come Dancing" in 2016 with presenter Ore Oduba, appeared as a professional dancer on the show for three years. She later transitioned to a successful career in London's West End, performing in productions such as "Shrek The Musical" and "Fawlty Towers: The Play."
Earlier in 2026, Clifton announced she would be reuniting with Oduba for a nationwide tour celebrating the 10th anniversary of their "Strictly" win.
Clifton has previously spoken about her battle with osteoarthritis in both knees, a condition diagnosed when she was 31. She has described how the condition affects her mobility, making activities like running and jumping difficult. The physical demands of "Strictly," particularly during her winning season in 2016, exacerbated her knee pain, though she has noted that winning was a gratifying experience despite the discomfort.