03 September 2023 , 12:30
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Strictly Come Dancing 2023 contestant Nikita Kanda isn't phased about potentially falling victim to the BBC show's infamous "curse", with the BBC DJ even claiming it could be a blessing for her!
Nikita, 28 was unveiled as the ninth contestant taking part in this year's series of the star-studded dance competition last month, with the news revealed on her BBC Asian Network Breakfast show. It followed the announcement that Waterloo Road and former Emmerdale star Adam Thomas is also on the line-up.
With Nikita and fellow celebrities such as Angela Rippon, EastEnders actor Bobby Brazier and former Coronation Street star Ellie Leach set to take to the dancefloor for the first time in just a matter of weeks, the BBC DJ has been opening up about her Strictly expectations - including chatting about the show's so-called "curse".
The "Strictly curse" is often blamed for contestants and professional dancers alike facing relationship troubles during their time on the show or shortly after. Over the years, several single celebrity contestants have also found love with their professional dance partners thanks to the series.
Nikita Kanda's career as a BBC DJ and early starts makes dating hard (@nikitakanda/Instagram)Although she is fully focused on her career and her upcoming Strictly experience, single Nikita is up for possibly finding love on the dancefloor while competition for the Glitterball trophy. The DJ admitted she has been single for around seven years, all thanks to her 4.30am alarm calls ahead of her breakfast programme on BBC Radio’s Asian Network.
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Asked if the "Strictly curse" could be a blessing, Nikita laughed as she told The Sun: "Hopefully, yeah! But that’s not in my mindset because I am so focused on enjoying the show and I want to get stuck into it and learn the dances. I am fully single. I’m just focused on work now — my breakfast show and Strictly."
She went on to add: "I am basically double-shifting, so it is going to be a lot of my time. I am not going to have time to do anything else right now. I am happily single and happy to stay that way."
Speaking last month as her place on the 2023 Strictly line-up was revealed, Nikita said: "I can’t believe I’m going to be on Strictly. This is a dream come true. I’m still pinching myself. I don’t think it will properly sink in until I step onto the dancefloor. I can’t wait to get glammed up and get out there. Throw the glitter on me!"
Nikita is best known for being the current host of the BBC Asian Network’s Breakfast show, previously having presented the Saturday afternoon show. Nikita is known for her star-studded interviews and she was recently nominated for an impressive Presenter of the Year at the Asian Media Awards. As well as her show, Nikita has also worked on BBC One’s The One Show.