Joanne Clifton Expecting First Child, Due in December
West End star and former dance champion announces pregnancy with fiancé AJ Jenk, navigating career and health challenges.
Image: Eddie Pollard / AI
Carla Rooney
Joanne Clifton, the 42-year-old West End performer and former dance champion, has announced she is pregnant with her first child, due in December.
Clifton shared a picture of a London Underground 'Baby On Board' badge, confirming her pregnancy with fiancé AJ Jenk.
Jenk corroborated the announcement, specifying the baby's due date in the caption of their joint Instagram post.
The couple confirmed their engagement in September; Clifton posted a photograph of her ring following Jenk's proposal. Their romance first became public in 2020.
Clifton previously ruled out dating anyone from her industry; however, Jenk's presence altered her perspective.
Her career trajectory includes winning the 14th series of a prominent dance competition in 2016, partnered with broadcaster Ore Oduba.
She departed the competition immediately after securing the championship, pivoting to a successful career in West End theatre.
Her stage credits encompass significant roles in productions such as Shrek the Musical and The Addams Family. She currently stars as Polly in the UK tour of Fawlty Towers: The Play.
This announcement arrives as Clifton manages osteoarthritis in both knees, a condition diagnosed at age 31, the year before her championship win.
This chronic condition affects 8.5 million adults across the UK, presenting a significant public health challenge.
Osteoarthritis involves the breakdown of protective cartilage at the ends of bones, a process often associated with wear and tear in individuals over 40.
Fifty percent of Britons over 65 experience the condition in at least one joint, marking its widespread impact on the older population.
However, younger individuals, like Clifton, can develop osteoarthritis due to factors including obesity, a sedentary lifestyle, genetics, or high levels of physical activity.
By the time she reached the 2016 final, Clifton's knees had absorbed substantial impact from intense training with Ore Oduba. This culminated in demanding leaps on and off drum tops during their final performance.
My knees were so stiff I needed a special device to help me get out of my car.
In 2021, Clifton described her knees as so stiff she required a special device to assist her in exiting her car.
She also reported limitations on running, jumping, and certain household tasks that involve crouching, illustrating the daily challenges posed by her condition.
The impending arrival of her child introduces new considerations for Clifton's ongoing management of osteoarthritis, particularly as she maintains a demanding theatre schedule.
Her journey reflects a broader societal shift where public figures increasingly share personal health battles. This fosters greater awareness and destigmatisation of chronic conditions.
This transparency offers a different lens on the physical demands placed on performers, highlighting the long-term consequences of high-impact careers.
The news of her pregnancy adds another layer to Clifton's public narrative, balancing professional achievements with personal milestones and health realities.