Kevin from Grimsby, one of the most popular pro dancers on Strictly, was initially rejected for the show.

Last year Kevin Clifton lifted the glitter ball as Strictly Come Dancing champion with his celebrity partner Stacey Dooley.

"It was brilliant, unbelievable, neither of us expected it. We had talked about it and said let's just enjoy the night. With Ashley and Fayre there was no way we would win, so it was really a genuine shock. Stacey's mum invaded the pitch and I was welling up. I was so proud of Stacey,'' he said.

Now the dancer is encouraging Strictly new boy, Graziano Di Prima, by taking him on his UK tour with the latest show from Burn The Floor.

The dance company came together after Kevin moved away from the competitive world of ballroom having notched up a number of titles such as the Youth World Number 1 in Latin, four times British Latin Champion along with various international open titles. When he stopped competing in 2007 he was ranked number seven in the world. Burn The Floor came into being in 2008.

Growing up in a family of dancers, it was not surprising that Kevin tripped the light fantastic from an early age, partnering his sister Jo, who has also been a Strictly Come Dancing pro dancer.

"I wasn't happy in the competition world but I didn't know what I wanted to do. I was asking myself: am I doing this because of my family? I realised that creating dance was all that mattered. I wanted to be free and expressive, push the boundaries of Latin and ballroom,'' said Kevin.

The shows produced by Kevin always have a narrative theme running through them, a different story for each one. His current UK tour with Burn The Floor is coming to Swindon on Sunday, May 19.

"It is stripped back, raw and real, emotional and dynamic. It is a completely different show where we are pushing it further and further, with new pieces. Many of the dancers in the show have been through Burn The Floor dance company, it is a good training ground,'' he said.

In 2012 Kevin was turned down by Strictly Come Dancing, but he so wanted to become involved that he offered to help with choreography, or even make the tea. In 2013 he thought he had lost out again, but a few days later he got the call to become a pro dancer. He came second with celebrity partner, Susanna Reid. In the following years Kevin came second a further three times and finally won last year with the documentary film maker Stacey Dooley.

The Strictly bubble is real, says Kevin, you get caught up in that world and it is difficult to switch off.

"Stacey really worked at it, but early on she said she wanted to stay in for a bit longer, but felt she was not on the others level, so could we up the hours. We worked from 8am to 10pm. It was a lot of work but she always had a smile on her face,'' said Kevin.

Burn The Floor is at the Wyvern Theatre, Swindon on Sunday, May 19 from 7.30pm with a 2.30pm matinee. Tickets from £30, VIP with a post meet and greet at £70 from 01793 524481 or visit www.swindontheatres.co.uk - Flicky Harrison