‘I don’t know what I did to be so lucky’: Stacey Dooley gives fans her first glimpse of baby daughter Minnie as she pays tribute to ‘the best dad in the world’ Kevin Clifton on Valentine’s Day
Stacey Dooley has shared her first glimpse of her baby daughter with social media followers just over a month after giving birth.
The award-winning documentary maker welcomed Minnie, her first child with former Strictly Come Dancing star Kevin Clifton, in January but has since shied away from posting pictures of the baby online.
Taking to Instagram on Valentine’s Day, Dooley, 35, appeared to have a change of heart by sharing a video of Clifton – who she met on Strictly in 2018 – cradling her newborn daughter.
The professional dancer, 40, who is currently touring the UK with Strictly Ballroom, looks stunned as he holds Minnie in both hands, her back strategically turned into Dooley’s camera as he tries to make her laugh.
She captioned the post: “My valentines. the loves of my life I don’t know what I did to be so lucky. To the best father and man in the world….. happy vally’s darlin. Ps…..you’re on the nights when you get home from tour.’
Proud mom: Stacey Dooley has given social media followers her first glimpse of her baby daughter Minnie, just over a month after giving birth
Dooley and Clifton announced their pregnancy news in August by sharing a snap of the documentary maker cradling her stomach with Instagram followers.
She wrote at the time: “Gaaaaaang… We’re having a baby! So damn pleased. Kev, you are magical, I love youuuu.
‘(It was impossible to hide, and if another person asks me if I got my boobs done in LA, I’m going to scream). Here goesssssss.’
Clifton also shared the same picture and wrote: “We’re having a baby! And I think my girl @staceydooley looks beautiful pregnant.’
Dooley appeared on The One Show just days later, where she admitted she was thrilled at the prospect of becoming a mother for the first time.
In love: Dooley took to Instagram on Valentine’s Day and shared a video of partner Kevin Clifton – who she met while appearing on Strictly in 2018 – cradling her newborn daughter
New parents: The award-winning documentary maker welcomed Minnie, her first child with former Strictly Come Dancing star Clifton, in January
“I’m delighted, I can’t believe it,” she told host Ronan Kemp after he congratulated her.
Dooley and Clifton were crowned Strictly Champions in 2018 after winning the hearts of viewers with their incredible partnership.
She confirmed their romance back in April 2019 when, after weeks of speculation and four months after winning the show, she finally went official on Instagram.
The duo had remained coy about their relationship after ex-boyfriend Sam Tucknott revealed their five-year relationship was over in an explosive interview with the Mail On Sunday.
Dooley soon took to Twitter to insist that “there’s two sides to every story” after her ex branded thrice-married Kevin a “rat”.
Baby joy: Dooley and Clifton revealed their child was born in January when they shared a picture of an envelope addressed to “Minnie’s parents”.
Cute: The presenter said she’d given birth to a baby girl and gushed that she’s “obsessed” with her “little masterpiece” (pictured in October).
She wrote: “Anyone with experience of adult life knows that there are two sides to every story. I don’t have the time or energy to correct some of the utter nonsense I’ve read here.
‘Re Sam, I loved him dearly and wish him only happiness and success in the future.’
He was previously married to Strictly pro dancer Karen Hauer, from whom he split after three years of marriage and a year before meeting Stacey.
Prior to Karen, Kevin married Clare Craze in 2007 after meeting at a salsa bar two years earlier. They separated in 2010.