Joanne Clifton, known for her appearances on Strictly Come Dancing, has announced that she is pregnant with her first child. The 42-year-old professional dancer shared the exciting news of her pregnancy with her partner, AJ Renk, through a heartfelt post on social media.
In 2016, Joanne rose to fame by winning Strictly Come Dancing alongside BBC presenter Ore Oduba after being part of the professional team for three years. She joyfully revealed her pregnancy by posting a photo of her Baby On Board badge, with AJ playfully hinting at the baby’s expected arrival date in the caption.
Adding a touch of humor, AJ shared their playful struggle in choosing a name for the baby, listing a series of comical names. Many of Joanne’s former Strictly co-stars, including Dianne Buswell, Oti Mabuse, and her brother Kevin, who won Strictly in 2019, congratulated the couple on the exciting news.
Joanne and AJ, who got engaged in September, have been in a relationship since 2020. Joanne, who left Strictly in 2016 following her victory, transitioned to musical theatre and shared her struggle with osteoarthritis in 2021, which forced her to slow down on the dance floor.
Regarding her arthritis diagnosis, Joanne highlighted the misconception that it only affects older individuals, emphasizing that it can impact people of all ages. Despite the challenges, Joanne and AJ are eagerly anticipating the arrival of their bundle of joy in December.
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