'Staying positive': Karen Clifton shows off washboard abs in Pilates Instagram video... amid reports partner Will Young quit Strictly Come Dancing after their 'infuriating squabbles'

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It was earlier reported Will Young had quite Strictly Come Dancing due to clashes with his partner Karen Clifton. 

But the stunning brunette claimed to be 'staying positive' amid the rumours in a new Instagram video posted on Thursday. 

Karen shared the video alongside the caption: 'Back to the grind... Pilates always does the job... still learning, still pushing, staying positive.'

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Staying positive: The lithe dancer showed off her stunning figure in a new Instagram post on Thursday amid reports Will Young quit due to squabbles between them

The 34-year-old Venezuelan wore a black crop top and exercise leggings which flaunted her lithe figure. 

And she showed off her impressive strength with various bar exercises, pushing herself up and hanging backwards. 

She seemed in good spirits despite a report in The Mirror that Will had reportedly become 'fed up' with Karen telling him what to do - resulting in the pair 'squabbling' during rehearsal.  

Impressive strength: Karen showed off her prowess on the bars in the Pilates session 

Lifting up: Karen pulled herself up onto the bars showing exactly why she's become a successful dance pro 

Annoyed: An inside source said Karen was just doing her job in training Will but he got fed up with being told what to do 

The new claims come as the 37-year-old, who cited 'personal reasons' and 'anxiety' as reason for his departure, prepares to air an interview on Friday which discusses his crippling battle with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

According to the paper, the star had become sick of Karen bossing him around and the workload expected of him on the show - causing tension between the two, which resulted in his unexpected departure. 

An inside source said: 'Karen was just doing her job, she was training him hard but in the end he just didn't want to keep getting told off and corrected all the time.

Braids: The dancer  sported two plaits and a delicate necklace for her workout  

Perfect balance: Karen held on to two bars while balancing on one foot in one pose 

Getting back to the grind: Karen is still maintaining her exercise regime despite finding herself being out of the show 

'It infuriated him. They squabbled a few times during rehearsals and it left him feeling exhausted. He just found the whole process too taxing and didn't think it was worth such a huge effort.'

However a new interview with the star has now emerged where he discusses his emotional battle with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder - after admitting he pulled out of the BBC series due to anxiety.

In the candid chat with London Live, the Love Revolution crooner talks about his struggles with the condition and his inability to deal with immensely pressured situations. 

Bad vibes: Will Young has reportedly quit Strictly Come Dancing due to 'squabbles' with partner Karen Clifton in the rehearsal room

Putting the bins out: Will Young was seen trying to return to routine on Thursday morning, after it was claimed that his Strictly Come Dancing fee would be slashed

Filmed ahead of his run on the ballroom floor, Will reveals: 'I was desperately unhappy. Then I got PTSD and got depersonalisation and derealisation which is when your body can't cope with the flooding of emotions from the past.'

Continuing on the difficult time, he said: 'I couldn't see my face in the mirror or recognise family.'

It was also announced on Thursday that his paycheck for the show had been reduced by £20,000 for breaching his contract. 

Out and about: The star arose early, as speculation into the real reason for his departure continues

Leaving the house: The popular music and TV star has been keeping busy 

A show insider told The Sun that BBC bosses have taken his fee from £25,000 down to just £5,000 after he broke his contract, two days ago.

The former Pop Idol winner was seen returning to his every day life on Thursday - looking stylish as he passed his rubbish bins - after being plagued by accusations that he only quit for fear he would not win.

A show source said 'It became obvious that despite his huge dance background he was never going to be a contender because there are so many better celebs.

'The few previous contestants to go have quit because they're injured or a family member has died – not because they feel they can't win.'

MailOnline has approached representatives for Strictly and Will for comment. 

Holding his wallet: He clutched his thick walley, amid speculation about his pay cheque

Looking slick: The singer was looked cool in a long black coat and trainers

Speculation continues into the real reason behind popular Will's shock exit from the competition.

It has since been reported that he bowed out due to his struggle with anxiety - yet insiders contested the claims. 

The 37-year-old hitmaker broke his silence on Wednesday in a text to BBC Radio 2 presenter Chris Evans to say he was fine, after citing mysterious 'personal reasons' for his departure.

That day, Will was pictured looked down in the dumps as he walked his two dogs on a solo trip around a London park.  

Disgruntled: Karen Clifton spoke out on the issue on Thursday morning

Downcast: Will was pictured for the first time since the departure, the very next morning in London

Following his initial statement, Will wrote on Wednesday: 'I'm absolutely dandy thanks. It's all very undramatic really. I've done my statement and others can say what they want to say. I never read what they say anyhow.'  

It has been claimed the former Pop Idol winner pulled out of the programme due to his struggle with anxiety. The pressure of the competition is said to have become too much for Will, who felt obliged to leave for the sake of his health.

A source told The Mirror: 'Will was suffering from anxiety all of last week and he told friends he wasn't feeling up to the show, he felt he was under intense scrutiny and wasn't taking it well.

A moment of reflection: Will focused his time on his pet dogs as he enjoyed a solo walk in the morning 

'Will is a deeply private person and has been out of the spotlight for a long time and he doesn't enjoy being the centre of attention. It all got too much.'

The singer has previously spoken about his 'overwhelming' anxiety and in 2012 he checked into a treatment centre in Oxfordshire following a breakdown.

He diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder, depersonalisation and derealisation.

MailOnline previously contacted a representative for Will, who declined to comment.

His official statement, released the day before, read: 'To be a part of Strictly has been a long time ambition of mine. As a performer, a viewer, and a fan of the show, to dance as a contestant was an experience I always hoped for.

The singer told Chris Evans: 'I'm absolutely dandy thanks. It's all very undramatic really. I've done my statement and others can say what they want to say. I never read what they say anyhow'

'I have made some great friends, and am in awe of their performances week in, week out.

Before adding: 'I have found a creative partnership with Karen that has been the most wonderful thing to experience.

'I will be eternally grateful to her for her direction, talent and guiding me through three wonderful dances that I will be able to show my grandkids in years to come.

'Unfortunately, I am leaving the show for personal reasons. I leave with joy in my heart that I have been able to take part in one of the most loved shows on British television. 

'I am so grateful to everyone who works on Strictly from the lighting designer to catering to the production team.' 

Strictly no more: The famed singer has cited 'personal reasons' for leaving the competition 

He said: 'I leave with joy in my heart that I have been able to take part in one of the most loved shows on British television'

The star thanked everyone on the show and described them all as a 'unique family'. 

He continued: 'Strictly truly is the most unique family and I thank them from the bottom of my heart.

'And finally thank you to the BBC for supporting me throughout my journey. I wish my compatriots so much luck, and although I am back to being a viewer again, I'm certainly going to 'keeeep dancing'!'

The BBC also confirmed Will's departure on their official Twitter page on Tuesday evening, tagging the star in the tweet which read: 'Sadly due to personal reasons @willyoung is leaving #Strictly'.

BBC's statement continued: 'Due to personal reasons, Will Young has decided to withdraw from Strictly Come Dancing. 

'The show fully respects his decision and wishes him all the best for the future.'

Confirmed: BBC's Strictly have also shared the shock news on their official Twitter

A spokesperson for the show told the MailOnline: 'Yes there will be an elimination at the weekend. The show will continue as normal.' 

Will's announcement created speculation and concern among his fans as to his reasons behind the sudden departure. One source told The Mirror: 'Will has created the biggest mystery possible by quitting out of the blue in such an upbeat fashion. 

'Now everybody will be desperate to know what's caused this sudden change of heart. Why leave when it was all going so well? The mind boggles.' 

Will's pro partner Karen Clifton meanwhile tweeted after Will confirmed his departure, writing: 'I'm so sad that Will has decided to quit the show and I know it wasn't an easy decision for him.'

'It was great dancing with him, he was such fun to work with and I wish him all the very best for the future.'

 

'So sad': Will's pro partner Karen Clifton tweeted after Will confirmed his departure

Will's brief stint on Strictly has been drama plagued following his need for a medic in Week Two after he pulled a muscle in his leg during an energetic dance.

After his Fifties inspired routine he hobbled over to host Tess Daly and explained that he was injured yet awaited the judges' comments all the same.

On Saturday he performed a Bollywood-inspired Salsa to Jai Ho as part of Movie Week, inspired by the film Slumdog Millionaire, which landed him fourth on the coveted leaderboard with 31 points.

Candid: Will shared a candid snap on his Instagram earlier today before the announcement was made

He hit headlines following Saturday night's dance when he hit out at Len Goodman's critique over his routine which he said lacked traditional moves - and Will disagreed, pointing out it had plenty.

He said: 'For me, not enough Salsa. I loved the dance it was entertaining it was fun... but it's a Salsa, and I would have liked more', while Will hit back: 'There are 24 counts of Salsa in the routine.'

Raising his eyebrows, Len replied: 'Well I must say, most of them I didn't recognise.'

Friends of the star have told The Sun that he has been 'struggling with the pressure' of Strictly.

Will has a history of mental health struggles and previously revealed that fame left him battling with anxiety.

Back in 2012, he spent six months at residential trauma centre Khiron House, in Oxfordshire where he managed to 'stabilise' his emotions. 

Bidding farewell: Will's brief stint on Strictly has been drama plagued following his need for a medic in Week Two after he pulled a muscle in his leg during an energetic dance

Will originally shot to fame after beating Gareth Gates to the Pop Idol crown in 2002. 

He bravely stood up to Simon Cowell after the music mogul called one of his performances 'distinctly average'.

The then aspiring singer hit back: 'All of us have been dying to say things to you – I've written about ten things to say to you. I think it's nice that you have given opinions on this show.

'I think in previous shows you haven't, you've just projected insults and it has been terrible to watch. I think, this show, I think you have been better, and I think you have given opinions and you've backed up your opinions.'

'It is your opinion. I don't agree with it. I don't think it was average. I don't think you could ever call that average. But it is your opinion and I respect that.'