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Kevin Clifton lands lead part in The Wedding Singer musical

Kevin Clifton has landed the lead part in a production of ‘The Wedding Singer’.
The ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ professional is set to play Robbie Hart, who Adam Sandler played in the 1998 rom-com which the theatre show, which launches at the Troubadour Wembley Park in London on January 30, 2020, is based on.
Alongside the poster for the musical, the 37-year-old star wrote on Instagram: "ANNOUNCEMENT!!!!! Delighted to announce I will be performing in the musical The Wedding Singer as Robbie Hart! Opening Jan 30th 2020 ! London @troubadourwpark theatre (sic)"
Meanwhile, the dancer – who is dating Stacey Dooley, who he won the BBC One Latin and ballroom show with last year – recently revealed he was rejected from ‘Strictly’ twice.
The Grimsby-born star joined the programme in 2013 and was partnered with ‘Good Morning Britain’ presenter Susanna Reid, finishing second on Series 11.
But Kevin was knocked back by bosses on his first try-out because he turned up for his audition rocking a Goth look dressed in all black, with long black hair, kohl-lined eyes and jet black nail polish in attempt to stand out from the crowd.
What made it worse is that he danced with his then-girlfriend Karen Hauer, who impressed the panel and was given a job on the programme.
He spilled: "They said, ‘We’d love to take Karen, but not that guy. We’ve no need for that gothic scarecrow who thinks he’s the rock star of the ballroom.’ "
Kevin – who was voted out of the competition with Anneka Rice in the second week this series – tried again the following year auditioning alongside Aljaz Skorjanec and Janette Manrara but was snubbed once more.
However, after his second rejection Kevin did get a job dancing in the ‘Strictly’ trailer as an "invisible dancer" which required him to wear a bodysuit and dance with the celebrities and that led to him becoming a full-time professional.