CONGRATULATIONS! Strictly star Joanne Clifton and actor fiancé AJ announce their baby’s s3x, leaving viewers stunned.
Former Strictly Come Dancing professional Joanne Clifton has revealed she is expecting a baby boy with fiancé AJ Jenks, with the couple preparing to welcome their first child together in December.
Joanne, 42, said she and AJ, 31, had initially suspected they were having a son before convincing themselves otherwise in the days leading up to their gender scan.
“We’re so excited,” she said.
“We did feel it might be a boy from the beginning. Then, for some reason, the week before the gender scan we convinced ourselves otherwise.”
So when the nurse finally confirmed they were expecting a boy, the pair were completely taken aback.
“We were so shocked that we had to go out for a walk and just let it sink in,” Joanne admitted.
Baby Already ‘Constantly on the Go’
The couple have already chosen a name for their son but are keeping it private for now.
Joanne joked that their little boy may already have inherited her energetic side, revealing that ultrasound appointments have not always been easy.
“They always find it hard to get a clear image. He’s constantly on the go,” she laughed.
Joanne and AJ met in 2020 after she went to watch a friend appearing in a musical in which AJ had the lead role.
Their first date involved playing Mario Kart at a gaming arcade, and the couple announced their engagement last September with the playful message: “Got bored….. so we’re getting married. Cheers!”
They are now based in London but discovered the pregnancy while visiting AJ’s parents in Cornwall.
“We were so emotional,” Joanne recalled after seeing the positive test.
The couple decided to keep the news to themselves until after the three-month mark, although keeping the secret became difficult while Joanne was touring with Fawlty Towers.
She remembered attending a cast dinner organised by John Cleese and being questioned after someone noticed she was not drinking.
Joanne Opens Up About Becoming a Mum in Her 40s
Joanne will be 43 when she gives birth, but she said becoming a first-time mother later in life does not worry her.
“Of course, in your forties you do wonder if it might not happen,” she said.
“But we just thought, ‘Let’s go for it. If it doesn’t, we’ll still be happy.’”
She added that she has plenty of friends who became mothers later and believes staying healthy and active is important.
“I’ve been a professional dancer all my life and I keep active,” Joanne said. “I don’t feel old and decrepit. I’m not worried at all.”
AJ also noted that his own parents had him in their forties, joking: “And I turned out alright, didn’t I?”
Stacey Dooley Among First to Know
Joanne’s brother Kevin Clifton and his partner Stacey Dooley were among the only people told before the three-month milestone.
Joanne FaceTimed them shortly after discovering she was pregnant.
“Kevin’s my big brother and I just wanted him to know instantly,” she said.
She also praised Stacey, who shares three-year-old daughter Minnie with Kevin, describing her as someone she can always turn to for advice.
Joanne has also spoken about motherhood with former Strictly colleagues including Janette Manrara, Dianne Buswell and Oti Mabuse.
Her pregnancy has not been completely straightforward, however.
While her first trimester was relatively manageable, Joanne said the second has brought acid reflux, pain when standing and swollen feet.
AJ has been helping by bringing her frozen “ice slippers” and pears, which she has been craving.
He has also developed a particularly sweet routine.
“The cutest thing is that sometimes when I’m relaxing on the sofa, AJ will just get his guitar and come and sing to the baby,” Joanne said.
Wedding Plans Put on Hold
The couple have not yet completed the nursery or bought much baby equipment, and Joanne said they are keeping an open mind about the birth.
Her one firm preference is avoiding a water birth because she is frightened of water.
As for labour itself, Joanne admits she is nervous but plans to draw on her competitive dancing experience.
“I’m going to approach it like I’m heading to Blackpool Week,” she said, adopting the mindset: “This is scary, but you can do it.”
Once their son arrives, Joanne and AJ hope to continue working while bringing him along on tours where possible.
AJ plans to move further into theatre production, allowing him greater flexibility, while Joanne already has a major job lined up for next year when the baby will be around six months old.
The wedding, however, can wait.
“Yes, for now,” Joanne laughed. “Though I do have my dress, so we’ll probably have to have a wedding at some point. But let us get used to the nappies and sleepless nights first!”
