This is Grimsby --LUCKY guests were treated to a dancing masterclass from Strictly Come Dancing stars Kevin Clifton and Karen Hauer on their return to Grimsby – just 24 hours after the Strictly live final.
Kevin and his fiance attended the Clifton's Christmas Dinner Dance at the Humber Royal Hotel with family and friends for a reunion on Sunday evening, after months of training and performing on the prime-time BBC TV show.
The Waltham-born dancer was the centre of attention after finishing as runner-up on this year's series with his celebrity partner, newsreader Susanna Reid.
He wowed the 200 guests performing four dances with Karen, who is also a professional dancer on the show and was voted out in week seven with partner Dave Myers.
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*Pictures: Kevin Clifton and Karen Hauer perform in Grimsby*
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Kevin said: "I'd just like to thank everyone for their support throughout the series; I couldn't have made it through without you.
"Some weeks are tougher than others. Judges can come down on you harder and knock your confidence, so to read messages of support really picks you up." Kevin and Susanna, a presenter on BBC Breakfast, made it to the final three in Saturday's finale, but lost out to model Abbey Clancey and Aljaz Skorjanec.
Kevin and Susanna were reportedly the bookies' favourites before the show began, but after finishing bottom of the leaderboard on Saturday night, they failed to pick up enough public votes to take home the glitter ball trophy.
But Kevin was the real winner among the guests at the Humber Royal Hotel on Sunday night, and one lucky guest even got to dance with him after winning a raffle.
Karen said: "It's been an incredible rollercoaster.
"Kevin and Susanna were so calm on Saturday, but I was an emotional wreck!
"There was so much positive energy and we were so glad they made it to the final three.
"We're just looking forward to getting back to normality now.
"We've got a busy year next year with lots of competitions and the Strictly tour, but it's so exciting and I can't wait."
It's not only Kevin who has been making waves in the dancing industry, with sister Joanne winning a dancing world championship in Italy last week.
She was also in Grimsby at the weekend to support her brother.
She said: "This was my first world title. I finished second the last two times so it was really emotional, especially with my partner retiring afterwards.
"So I was really happy and really sad at the same time. I've had my medal in my bag for the last week!
"It's weird seeing Kevin on TV, really weird ... especially now all the girls are after him!
"I'm so proud, he's done brilliantly for his first year.
"He was lucky to get drawn with Susanna. She's turned into a really good dancer.
"Karen wasn't quite as lucky with Dave Myers, but that made good entertainment for the public."
Rob Wilson, 61, was among the audience at the event.
He said: "We followed him on TV and he was absolutely fabulous.
"They probably didn't deserve to win in terms of the celebrity partner, but Kevin was certainly the star of the show."
And Sally Adam-Burgess, 50, added: "He was brilliant.
"He may not have won the final but to us he's a winner."
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