Joanne Clifton Pregnant: Strictly Star Expecting First Child with AJ Jenks

Former Strictly Come Dancing champion Joanne Clifton has announced that she is expecting her first child with her fiancé, actor and musician AJ Jenks. The 42-year-old dancer, actress, and singer shared the news with fans on Instagram on Monday, 21 July 2026, in a characteristically playful post that quickly drew an outpouring of congratulations from the Strictly community and beyond.

The announcement marks one of the most significant personal milestones for Clifton, whose career has spanned competitive ballroom dancing at the world level, three seasons on Strictly Come Dancing, and a thriving second act in musical theatre. For fans who have followed her journey from the ballroom to the West End stage, the news adds a new and deeply personal chapter to an already remarkable story.

This article covers everything you need to know about Joanne Clifton’s pregnancy announcement, the love story behind it, a complete career timeline, the reaction from fellow Strictly stars, and what comes next for one of British entertainment’s most versatile performers.

What Happened: The Pregnancy Announcement

Joanne and AJ shared the news in a joint Instagram post on 21 July 2026. True to form, the couple opted for humour over sentimentality. Instead of a traditional photo shoot, they posted an image of a London Underground “Baby On Board” badge, a pin that pregnant passengers in London wear to signal that they need a seat on public transport.

The caption, written by AJ, joked about their struggle to agree on a baby name by stringing together a comically long list of pop culture references and personal heroes. Among the names crammed together were nods to football stars, music legends, television personalities, and even fictional characters from shows Joanne has performed in on stage.

The post also confirmed that the couple are expecting their baby to arrive in December 2026.

BBC Strictly stars rally around former pro, 42, as they announce first pregnancy in sweet announcementhttps://t.co/RPQYG1avqa

— GB News (@GBNEWS) July 21, 2026

Why the “Baby On Board” Badge Matters

For those outside London, the Baby On Board badge is a free pin issued by Transport for London. It has become an iconic and instantly recognisable symbol of pregnancy in the UK. By choosing this as their announcement image rather than a studio photo or ultrasound scan, Joanne and AJ kept their announcement lighthearted, relatable, and distinctly British.

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The Love Story: Joanne Clifton and AJ Jenks

Understanding the pregnancy news means understanding the relationship behind it. Joanne and AJ’s love story is a classic tale of two performers whose paths crossed through the world of musical theatre.

How They Met

Joanne has spoken publicly about how she initially vowed not to date anyone from the entertainment industry. But that plan changed when she went to see AJ performing in the touring production of Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story. AJ, a Birmingham-born actor-musician who trained at the Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts, had built a reputation playing musical icons on stage, including Elvis Presley, Barry Gibb, and Mick Jagger.

After the show, AJ asked Joanne for a drink. She has admitted she was convinced the relationship would not work, but the pair have been together since 2020 and their bond has only grown stronger.

The Engagement

The couple announced their engagement on 29 September 2025 with the same dry wit that would later define their pregnancy announcement. Alongside a photo of her diamond ring, Joanne wrote on Instagram: “Got bored … so we’re getting married. Cheers.”

She confirmed the engagement live on BBC Two’s Strictly: It Takes Two, where she was appearing as an expert presenter. The moment drew an enthusiastic response from the Strictly community, with fellow professionals including Kevin Clifton, Katya Jones, and Karen Hauer sharing their congratulations.

A Shared Career in Theatre

What makes their relationship distinctive is the professional overlap. AJ is not only a performer but also a producer. His company, Buddy Boys Productions, is behind the 10: Champions Reignited tour that reunites Joanne with her 2016 Strictly partner Ore Oduba in August 2026. The fact that AJ is producing his fiancée’s comeback tour adds a layer of professional partnership to their personal one.

Joanne Clifton: A Complete Career Timeline

To appreciate the significance of this moment in Joanne’s life, it helps to see the full arc of her career, from childhood dance lessons in Lincolnshire to the West End stage.

Early Life and Competitive Dancing

Strictly Come Dancing Years

Musical Theatre Career

Dance Titles Won

Joanne’s competitive dancing credentials are among the most impressive of any Strictly professional:

• World Professional Ballroom Showdance Champion (2013/2014)
• European Professional Ballroom Champion
• World Dancesport Games Champion (2013)
• Five-time British Champion
• Three-time Italian Champion

Why This News Matters

A First-Time Mother at 42

Joanne becoming a first-time mother at 42 places her within a growing demographic trend. According to the UK’s Office for National Statistics, birth rates among women aged 40 and over have been rising steadily over the past two decades. For many women in the performing arts, where careers demand extreme physical commitment well into adulthood, starting a family later is a common pattern.

Joanne’s openness about this milestone at her age offers visibility and normalisation for women who become mothers in their early-to-mid 40s, particularly in physically demanding professions.

Navigating Pregnancy With Osteoarthritis

One detail that adds context to this announcement is Joanne’s 2015 diagnosis of osteoarthritis in both knees. She first noticed symptoms during the 2015 Strictly tour, waking up one morning with a severely swollen knee. An MRI scan confirmed that the cartilage in both knees was deteriorating, and she was told she would likely need knee replacement surgery in the future.

Remarkably, she won Strictly Come Dancing a year after her diagnosis, performing high-impact routines while strapping her knees and relying on regular physiotherapy. She later revealed that she could only hobble up the stairs to host Claudia Winkleman after her final performance.

Managing pregnancy alongside a chronic joint condition requires careful medical planning, and Joanne’s journey may resonate with the estimated 240 million people worldwide living with osteoarthritis.

Reaction From the Strictly Community

The Instagram comments section filled rapidly with messages from Strictly stars past and present:

• Kevin Clifton (Joanne’s brother, 2018 Strictly champion): Posted three heart emojis
• Dianne Buswell: Congratulations (Buswell welcomed her own first baby earlier in 2026)
• Amy Dowden: Congratulations
• Oti Mabuse: “Incredible news”
• Karen Hauer: “Aww wonderful news!! Congratulations”
• Janette Manrara (It Takes Two presenter): “Amazing news”
• Carlos Gu: Congratulations
• Michelle Tsiakkas: Congratulations

The breadth of the response, spanning multiple generations of Strictly professionals, highlights just how embedded Joanne remains within the show’s extended family, even a decade after leaving.

AJ Jenks: Who Is Joanne’s Fiancé?

While Joanne is the higher-profile partner, AJ Jenks has built a respected career in his own right within the UK’s touring theatre circuit.

Background: Born in Birmingham, AJ trained at the Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts, graduating with a BA (Hons) in Actor Musicianship.

Notable stage roles:

• Buddy Holly in Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story (multiple UK tours)
• Elvis Presley in Million Dollar Quartet
• Barry Gibb in Saturday Night Fever (UK tour)
• Mick Jagger in The Monkees Reloaded (UK tour)
• Athos in The Three Musketeers

As a producer: AJ co-runs Buddy Boys Productions with colleague Chris Weeks. The company is producing the 10: Champions Reignited tour featuring Joanne and Ore Oduba.

As a musician: AJ is a multi-instrumentalist, singer, and songwriter who runs his own recording studio. He sings 27 songs per show in the Buddy Holly musical, alternating the lead role to preserve vocal stamina.

The 10: Champions Reignited Tour and What Pregnancy Means for It

One of the most immediate questions following the pregnancy announcement is how it will affect Joanne’s upcoming tour commitments.

The 10: Champions Reignited tour with Ore Oduba is scheduled to run from 17 to 23 August 2026 across seven UK venues, including Bournemouth, Fareham, Crawley, Peterborough, Buxton, Grimsby (Joanne’s home region), and Leeds.

With the baby due in December 2026, Joanne would be approximately six months into her pregnancy during the August tour dates. Whether the show’s format will be adjusted to accommodate her condition has not been publicly addressed, but the production’s creative director, award-winning choreographer Nick Winston, is experienced at adapting performances for touring conditions.

The show promises songs, dance, and stories from both Joanne’s and Ore’s post-Strictly careers, recreating moments from their championship run and celebrating their decade of friendship.

The Clifton Family: A Dance Dynasty

The Clifton family’s contribution to British dance is hard to overstate.

Keith and Judy Clifton (Joanne’s parents): Former world number one ballroom dancers who taught both their children to dance from a young age in the village of Waltham, Lincolnshire.

Kevin Clifton (Joanne’s brother): Also a Strictly Come Dancing professional (2013 to 2019), winning the show in 2018 with Stacey Dooley, who became his partner off screen as well. Kevin reached the Strictly final five times, a record-tying achievement.

Joanne and Kevin both specialised after initially dancing together as children. Joanne chose ballroom, Kevin chose Latin, allowing them to avoid directly competing against each other.

With Joanne expecting her first child, the next generation of the Clifton family may well continue the tradition.

Interesting Facts About Joanne Clifton

1. She started dancing at age four, making 2026 her 38th year as a performer.
2. She beat her own brother in the Strictly final. In the 2016 series, Kevin Clifton and partner Louise Redknapp were runners-up to Joanne and Ore Oduba.
3. She won Strictly while in severe pain. Her osteoarthritis diagnosis came a year before her championship season, and she danced the final with strapped knees.
4. She released a music album in 2023. “Like Nobody’s Watching” blended contemporary songs with a Strictly-inspired twist.
5. She attended Caistor Grammar School in Lincolnshire before pursuing dance full-time.
6. She lived in Italy as a teenager, enduring a military-style dance training programme with near-zero time off.
7. Her fiancé is producing her next tour. AJ Jenks’s Buddy Boys Productions is behind the Champions Reignited tour.
8. She received an Off West End Award nomination for her very first musical theatre role.

Historical Comparison: Strictly Professionals Who Became Parents

Joanne joins a growing list of Strictly Come Dancing professionals who have started families during or after their time on the show:

The trend reflects the broader reality that professional dancers often delay starting families because of the intense physical demands of their careers.

Future Predictions: What Comes Next for Joanne Clifton

Short term (2026):

• Complete the 10: Champions Reignited tour in August
• Prepare for the arrival of the couple’s first child in December
• Potential wedding planning with AJ Jenks (no public date announced)

Medium term (2027 and beyond):

• Likely return to musical theatre after maternity leave, given her prolific track record
• Possible continued involvement with It Takes Two or other Strictly-related presenting
• Potential expansion of AJ’s Buddy Boys Productions with Joanne’s involvement on the creative side

Long term:

• Joanne has spoken about the possibility of needing knee replacement surgery due to her osteoarthritis. This may influence the types of roles she takes on as she moves into her mid-to-late 40s, potentially shifting further toward acting and singing roles rather than dance-heavy productions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Joanne Clifton pregnant?

Yes. Joanne Clifton confirmed on 21 July 2026 that she is expecting her first child with fiancé AJ Jenks. The baby is due in December 2026.

Who is Joanne Clifton’s partner?

Joanne’s fiancé is AJ Jenks, a Birmingham-born actor, musician, and theatre producer. The couple have been together since 2020 and announced their engagement in September 2025.

When is Joanne Clifton’s baby due?

The baby is expected in December 2026, as confirmed in the couple’s Instagram announcement.

How old is Joanne Clifton?

Joanne Clifton was born on 26 October 1983. She is currently 42 years old.

When did Joanne Clifton win Strictly Come Dancing?

Joanne won series 14 of Strictly Come Dancing in December 2016 with celebrity partner Ore Oduba.

Who is AJ Jenks?

AJ Jenks is an English actor-musician best known for starring as Buddy Holly in the long-running UK tour of Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story. He also co-runs Buddy Boys Productions and has played Elvis Presley, Barry Gibb, and other musical icons on stage.

Does Joanne Clifton have osteoarthritis?

Yes. Joanne was diagnosed with osteoarthritis in both knees in 2015. She has spoken publicly about managing the condition throughout her career and has been told she may eventually need knee replacement surgery.

Is Joanne Clifton related to Kevin Clifton?

Yes. Kevin Clifton is Joanne’s younger brother. Both are former Strictly Come Dancing professionals and champions. Their parents, Keith and Judy Clifton, were world-class ballroom dancers.

Is the 10: Champions Reignited tour still happening?

As of July 2026, the tour is scheduled to run from 17 to 23 August 2026 across seven UK venues. No cancellations or changes have been announced.

Is Joanne Clifton married?

Not yet. Joanne and AJ Jenks announced their engagement in September 2025 but have not publicly shared a wedding date.

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Last Updated on July 21, 2026 by 247 News Around The World