Stacey Dooley is one of Britain’s most recognisable television presenters, known equally for her hard-hitting BBC documentaries and her glittering Strictly Come Dancing victory. Her career, which began in 2008, has taken her from the factory floors of India to the ballroom of primetime Saturday night television. This article provides a comprehensive look at her biography, personal life, career highlights, and public presence, drawing on verified sources.
Born in Luton, Bedfordshire, on 9 March 1987, Stacey Jaclyn Dooley has built a reputation as a journalist willing to tackle difficult subjects. She was awarded an MBE for services to broadcasting, a recognition of her contribution to documentary filmmaking. She is currently 39 years old.
Dooley’s professional life has often intersected with her personal life in the public eye, particularly following her relationship with professional dancer Kevin Clifton, whom she met on the set of Strictly Come Dancing. Together they have a daughter, born in early 2023.
Who is Stacey Dooley?
Stacey Jaclyn Dooley
9 March 1987 (age 38)
TV Presenter, Journalist, Media Personality
Stacey Dooley Investigates, Strictly Come Dancing winner (2018)
Stacey Dooley first came to public attention in 2008 when she appeared on the BBC Three documentary series Blood, Sweat and T-shirts. The show followed young British consumers as they travelled to India to see the conditions under which their clothing was made. That experience shaped her approach to storytelling — direct, personal, and unafraid of complexity.
Since then, Dooley has built a career around long-form documentary investigations. Her series Stacey Dooley Investigates has covered topics including child labour, sex trafficking, domestic violence, binge drinking, tourism, institutionalised sexism, terrorism, drugs, and mental health issues. The Guardian has described her work as “unflinching, thought-provoking and compassionate.”
Key Insights
- Stacey Dooley is a multi-award winning documentary presenter who won the hearts of the British public not only for her hard-hitting journalism but also for winning Strictly Come Dancing in 2018.
- Her personal life, particularly her relationship with Strictly co-star Kevin Clifton and the birth of their daughter, is a major driver of search queries alongside her professional work.
- User intent is split between verifying basic biographical facts (age, height, net worth) and understanding the timeline of her personal relationships and career milestones.
| Key Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| MBE | Awarded Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 2018 for services to broadcasting. |
| Partner | In a relationship with professional dancer Kevin Clifton since 2019. |
| Child | Daughter born in early 2023. |
| TV Debut | Appeared on BBC Three’s Blood, Sweat and T-shirts in 2008. |
| Net Worth (Est.) | Estimated in the range of £500k – £1 million (subject to verification). |
| Full Name | Stacey Jaclyn Dooley |
| Birthplace | Luton, Bedfordshire, England |
| Occupation | Television Presenter, Journalist, Media Personality, Documentary Filmmaker |
| Strictly Win | Won the 16th series in December 2018 with Kevin Clifton. |
| Social Media | Active on Instagram under the handle @sjdooley. |
Does Stacey Dooley Have a Husband or Children?
The question of Stacey Dooley’s relationship status is one of the most searched topics about her. According to available records, Dooley is in a long-term relationship with Kevin Clifton, the professional dancer with whom she won Strictly Come Dancing in December 2018. They have been together since 2019. However, as of early 2025, publicly available sources do not indicate that the couple are married. They are not officially listed as husband and wife on any public record.
Her Daughter
Dooley and Clifton have one child together, a daughter born in January 2023. One source names the child Minnie. Dooley publicly confirmed her pregnancy on Instagram in August 2022. The couple have largely kept their daughter out of the public eye, sharing only occasional glimpses on social media.
Stacey Dooley and Kevin Clifton are partners and parents, but they are not married as of early 2025. No public wedding announcement or marriage record has been confirmed. Sources refer to Clifton as her “partner” rather than “husband.”
Who is Lily Phillips in Relation to Stacey Dooley?
The name “Lily Phillips” occasionally appears in search queries alongside Stacey Dooley. Based on available public records and credible sources, there is no known direct family or professional relationship between Stacey Dooley and a person named Lily Phillips. The connection appears to be a case of mistaken identity, possibly confusion with another individual who shares a similar name or a minor reference in one of her documentaries. No evidence exists of a family tie, collaborative project, or personal association.
What is Stacey Dooley Best Known For? TV Shows & Career Highlights
Stacey Dooley’s career spans both serious journalism and mainstream entertainment. Her television work can be grouped into several key areas.
BBC Documentaries and Investigative Journalism
Dooley’s flagship series, Stacey Dooley Investigates, has been running for over a decade on BBC Three. The strand has taken her to more than 60 countries, covering issues such as child labour in India, sex trafficking in Cambodia, domestic violence in Russia, and the opioid crisis in the United States. Her presenting style is often described as empathetic yet direct, allowing her subjects to tell their own stories. The BBC iPlayer description of her work calls it “unflinching, thought-provoking and compassionate.”
Strictly Come Dancing Victory
In 2018, Dooley participated in the 16th series of Strictly Come Dancing as a contestant. She was paired with professional dancer Kevin Clifton. The couple went on to win the competition in December 2018, securing the Glitterball Trophy. This victory significantly raised her national profile and introduced her to a broader audience. It was also the beginning of her personal relationship with Clifton.
Other Television Work
Beyond her investigative series and Strictly success, Dooley has presented Glow Up: Britain’s Next Make-Up Star, a competitive make-up artistry show on BBC Three. She also fronted Stacey Dooley Sleeps Over, a documentary series in which she stays with different families to explore their ways of life and the challenges they face. In 2020, she appeared on The Masked Dancer as “Prawn Cocktail.”
Published Work
Dooley is also an author. She wrote Are You Really OK?: Understanding Britain’s Mental Health Emergency, published by Penguin. The book explores the mental health crisis in the UK through interviews and personal stories. Her official author profile is available on the Penguin Books website.
What is Stacey Dooley’s Net Worth and Social Media Presence?
Stacey Dooley’s net worth is a frequent subject of public curiosity. However, no verified or official figure is publicly available. Published estimates vary widely, with some sources suggesting a range between £500,000 and £1 million. These figures are speculative and not based on confirmed financial disclosures. Dooley has not publicly commented on her personal finances. Any specific net worth number should be treated with caution.
No credible public source provides a confirmed net worth for Stacey Dooley. Figures circulating online are estimates only and may not reflect her actual financial position. No audited financial statements or official disclosures are available.
Dooley is active on social media, particularly Instagram, where she uses the handle @sjdooley. Her account provides a mix of professional announcements, behind-the-scenes content from her documentaries, and occasional personal posts about her family. She does not maintain a highly curated or heavily sponsored feed, which aligns with her down-to-earth public persona. Her Facebook page, verified as an official presence, similarly blends documentary promotion with personal updates.
Stacey Dooley’s verified Instagram handle is @sjdooley. She used this platform in August 2022 to publicly confirm her pregnancy. Her Facebook page is also verified and serves as an official channel for her documentary work and public announcements.
Career Timeline: How Did Stacey Dooley Get to Where She Is Today?
The trajectory of Stacey Dooley’s career reflects a steady progression from participant in a single documentary to established broadcaster and author. Key milestones include:
- 9 March 1987: Born in Luton, Bedfordshire, England.
- 2008: TV debut on BBC Three’s Blood, Sweat and T-shirts.
- 2009–2015: Launches and establishes Stacey Dooley Investigates series on BBC Three.
- 2017: Begins relationship with Kevin Clifton (confirmed later).
- 2018: Wins Strictly Come Dancing with partner Kevin Clifton. Awarded MBE.
- 2022: Announces pregnancy with Kevin Clifton.
- 2023: Gives birth to first child, a daughter.
- 2024/2025: Continues documentary work for BBC, publishes books, expands media presence.
What is Known and What Remains Unclear About Stacey Dooley?
While much of Stacey Dooley’s biography is well-documented, certain aspects of her life are less certain or not publicly confirmed. The table below separates established information from areas where clarity is lacking.
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Full name: Stacey Jaclyn Dooley | Exact net worth is not officially disclosed. |
| Born 9 March 1987 in Luton, Bedfordshire | Relationship status: partner (not husband) – no marriage confirmed. |
| Won Strictly Come Dancing in 2018 | Connection to “Lily Phillips” – no known relationship exists in public records. |
| Partner is Kevin Clifton (since 2019) | Height and exact body measurements are not reliably sourced. |
| One daughter born January 2023 | Future documentary or book projects beyond current releases. |
| Awarded MBE in 2018 | Specific financial details of her production company or earnings. |
Analysis and Context: Why Stacey Dooley is a Search Magnet
Stacey Dooley occupies a unique niche as both a serious journalist and a mainstream celebrity figure. Her career spans hard-hitting BBC documentaries on social issues and mass-market entertainment like Strictly Come Dancing. This dual identity drives heterogeneous search intent: users range from fans wanting personal updates about her baby and partner to researchers seeking her professional background, including age, career timeline, and net worth.
The confusion around the name “Lily Phillips” suggests a potential search for individuals with similar last names or a minor character in one of her shows. This highlights the need for clear disambiguation in content covering her personal life. Overall, Dooley’s combination of journalistic credibility and popular appeal creates a broad and varied public interest that spans multiple demographics.
Sources and Quotes: What Others Say About Stacey Dooley
Descriptions of Stacey Dooley from official platforms emphasise her authenticity and compassion. The BBC iPlayer description of her documentary work calls it “unflinching, thought-provoking and compassionate.” Her Facebook bio states: “With her down to earth personality, she takes on some of the worlds toughest issues.”
“Unflinching, thought-provoking and compassionate.”
— BBC iPlayer description of Stacey Dooley’s documentaries
“With her down to earth personality, she takes on some of the worlds toughest issues.”
— Stacey Dooley official Facebook bio
These descriptions align with the public perception of Dooley as a presenter who combines warmth with a willingness to confront difficult realities. Her work has been featured on BBC iPlayer, and she maintains an official author page with Penguin Books.
Summary: What You Need to Know About Stacey Dooley
Stacey Dooley is a British television presenter, journalist, and documentary-maker born on 9 March 1987 in Luton, Bedfordshire. She is best known for her long-running BBC Three series Stacey Dooley Investigates and for winning Strictly Come Dancing in 2018 with Kevin Clifton, who is also her partner and the father of her daughter, born in January 2023. She was awarded an MBE for services to broadcasting. Her net worth is not officially disclosed, and she is not married to Clifton as of early 2025. She is active on Instagram at @sjdooley. For more on her dance partner and partner in life, see our profile on Who is Kevin Clifton?.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Stacey Dooley’s real name?
Her full name is Stacey Jaclyn Dooley.
Where is Stacey Dooley from?
Luton, Bedfordshire, England.
What is Stacey Dooley’s Instagram handle?
@sjdooley
Did Stacey Dooley win Strictly Come Dancing?
Yes, she won the 16th series in 2018 with professional dancer Kevin Clifton.
What is the ‘Stacey Dooley Sleeps Over’ series about?
‘Stacey Dooley Sleeps Over’ is a documentary series where Stacey stays with different families to explore their way of life and the challenges they face.
Does Stacey Dooley have a book?
Yes, she is the author of ‘Are You Really OK?: Understanding Britain’s Mental Health Emergency’.
Is Stacey Dooley married to Kevin Clifton?
No. They are partners and parents, but as of early 2025, no marriage has been publicly confirmed.
How many children does Stacey Dooley have?
She has one daughter, born in January 2023.
What is Stacey Dooley’s net worth?
No verified figure is publicly available. Published estimates range from £500,000 to £1 million, but these are speculative.
What TV shows has Stacey Dooley presented?
Her credits include Stacey Dooley Investigates, Glow Up: Britain’s Next Make-Up Star, Stacey Dooley Sleeps Over, and The Masked Dancer (as Prawn Cocktail).
Thomas Whitmore is Politics & Public Affairs Editor at TheUKDaily.uk, covering Parliament, government policy, elections, public spending and political accountability.