Les Dennis is among the star-studded line-up for Strictly Come Dancing 2023! Ahead of his dance debut, the host and stand-up comedian recently spoke to HELLO! and other media, about his family’s reaction to the news – and I couldn’t be happier for him.
Back in 2005, Les found love with Claire Nicholson, after marrying Lynne Webster and Amanda Holden, and is also the proud father of three. Keep reading for all the details about his sweet family life.
WATCH: Strictly Come Dancing filming HELLO! offstage
Who is Les Dennis’s wife?
During a 2023 interview with The Sunday Times, Les opened up about his first meeting with his wife and former HR professional, Claire Nicholson.
© GettyLes Dennis with his wife Claire Nicholson
Revealing that their paths crossed in 2005 at a charity event, the Strictly star admitted that his split from ex-wife Amanda Holden had left him closed on matters of the heart.
“After everything that happened, I felt damaged,” he said. “Sometimes I just wanted to go to Spain and retire – get away from all the pain. I certainly wasn’t interested in another serious relationship. Claire, who worked in HR and now looks after our finances, was a wonderful person and, yes, I asked her if she wanted to go out to dinner, but it was nothing more than being polite.”
© South Coast Press/Shutterstock The comedian was previously married to Amanda Holden
During his previous marriage, reports of an affair between Amanda Holden and actor Neil Morrisey dominated the press, and following Les and Amanda’s decision to divorce, the Family Fortune star was inundated with media attention.
While Les may not have been looking for a serious relationship at the time, things quickly changed as he spent more and more time with Claire. “Love catches you when you’re not looking,” he said The Sunday Times.
© GettyLes and Claire are the proud parents of a daughter, Ellie, and a son, Thomas
“Even though Claire and I went on a few dates, I couldn’t bring myself to commit. I convinced myself it wasn’t going to work. Then, after about four months, we were planning our first Christmas together and, out of nowhere, I found myself saying : “I love you.” The L word! Where did that come from?”
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Les Dennis reveals children’s sweet reactions to him joining Strictly 2023
Les Dennis reveals children’s sweet reactions to him joining Strictly 2023The couple eventually welcomed their daughter Eleanor in April 2008, before tying the knot the following year in Highgate, North London. Wonderfully, then 19-month-old Ellie served as their flower girl. In April 2011, Les and Claire will become proud parents again, after having a son, Thomas.
While the couple prefer to live private lives, Les revealed how Claire responded to his Strictly news, and it looks like she’ll be cheering him on at the start of the season. “She was crying, but in a good way. She wasn’t crying saying, ‘Don’t do that!'” he said in an interview.
Only stars and their children
Gorka Marquez, Gemma Atkinson and their children
- Strictly professional Gorka Marquez and former Strictly contestant Gemma Atkinson have two children, four-year-old Mia and baby Thiago.
- Strictly: it takes two presenter Janette Manrara and her dancer husband Aljaz Skorjanec are the parents of a little girl, Lyra.
- Strictly winners Kevin Clifton and Stacey Dooley welcomed baby Minnie in January 2023.
- Previous Strictly professionals James and Ola Jordan have a daughter, three-year-old Ella.
- Former pro Pasha Kovalev and Rachel Riley have two daughters, Maven, three, and Noah, one.
- Strictly referee and former professional Anton du Beke and his wife Hannah have adorable six-year-old twins George and Henrietta.
- Previous Strictly star Artem Chigvintsev and Nikki Bella became parents of son Matteo in July 2000.
- Professional dancer Natalie Lowe and her husband James Knibbs welcomed their son Jack in December 2020.
- Ben Cohen and ex Strictly they met the dancer Kristina Rihanoff in series 11, and now they have a six-year-old daughter, Milena.
- formerStrictly Pro Brendan Cole and his wife Zoe Hobbs are parents to ten-year-old Aurelia and five-year-old Dante.
Children of Les Dennis
Les Dennis is a father of three children. He shares his eldest son Phillip (43) with his first wife Lynne, and his two youngest, daughter Eleanor (15) and son Thomas (12) with his third wife Claire.
© Ray BurmistonLes is the proud father of three children
Before he had his daughter Ellie in 2008, the 69-year-old told HELLO! That he was “delighted” by the news.
“Raising a girl will be a different experience for me,” he explained. “As an older, established father, I won’t be chasing my career like I did when Phillip was born.”
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As for how his three children have reacted to his gig on Strictly, Les told the media they were “thrilled” for him, so we expect him to tune in every week.
Categories: Entertaintment
Source: HIS Education