Stacey Dooley Opens Up About ‘Chaotic’ Pregnancy Discovery: ‘Nothing Glossy About It’

Stacey Dooley Shares Chaotic Pregnancy Revelation in New Book ‘Dear Minnie’

Stacey Dooley, 38, has opened up about the unglamorous moment she discovered she was pregnant with her daughter Minnie, now two, in her heartfelt new book Dear Minnie. The TV presenter and her partner, Strictly Come Dancing pro Kevin Clifton, 41, welcomed their first child in January 2023.

During an appearance on the Dish from Waitrose podcast, Stacey recounted the “chaotic” 2022 day she took a pregnancy test in a Selfridges bathroom. “There was nothing glossy about it,” she laughed. After discreetly purchasing a test (with a chemist kindly taping the bag shut), Stacey faced a cramped, overheated restroom. “The lady was knocking because there was a queue… mid-situation,” she joked.

The chaos continued as she hailed a cab to share the news with Kevin, who was mid-interview. “The driver didn’t want to go south of the river, and I was whispering, ‘I’m pregnant!’ over FaceTime while Kev had a radio mic on,” she recalled.

Strictly Secrets and Cheese Aliases
Stacey also revealed a quirky Strictly tradition: celebrities are given cheese-themed code names to keep lineup details secret. In 2018, she was “Cheddar,” while others included “Brie.” “Runners would say, ‘I’m with Cheddar’ deadpan,” she shared, calling the experience “the funnest gig ever.”

Minnie now enjoys watching her parents’ iconic Strictly performances, including their Minions-themed dance. “She’s so impressed—though she’ll be repulsed as a teenager,” Stacey quipped.

Home Renovation Love
The couple, who moved to Liverpool in 2020 to be near Stacey’s mother, have chronicled their home renovation journey. Stacey recently showcased her bold olive-green ceilings and vintage chandeliers on Instagram, writing, “BIG HOOPS ON THE CEILING BABY.” Their dining room features dark gray walls, a marble fireplace, and a sprawling garden view.

Kevin admitted they fell for the house instantly: “Stacey saw it online, we viewed it once, and bam—we were sold.”

Privacy and Partnership
Despite public curiosity, the pair keep their relationship private. “We’ve turned down lucrative interviews,” Stacey emphasized. “You can’t indulge [the spotlight] and then ask for privacy.”

Dear Minnie captures their authentic journey into parenthood—proof that even glittery Strictly stars have beautifully messy moments.

(Images: 1. Stacey and Kevin with baby Minnie; 2. Stacey’s pregnancy announcement; 3. Their renovated Liverpool home; 4. Stacey and Kevin on Strictly)

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