13 September 2023 , 18:14
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Strictly Come Dancing star Nadiya Bychkova has turned to her close friend Dan Walker for support after reportedly being snubbed from the 2023 line-up.
Nadiya has been a professional dancer on the long-running BBC dance competition since 2017 - and last year was paired with 46-year-old news host Dan in the 2019 contest where they ended up in fifth place. But 34-year-old Ukrainian dance bombshell Nadiya is said to have been left on the bench for the upcoming 21st season of Strictly - which will kick off on BBC One this Saturday night.
The dancer is said to be fuming over her snub - and reportedly even confronted bosses to find out why she wasn’t paired with one of the celebrities taking part in the 2023 show. But Nadiya has been able to find support from Dan - who himself slammed the BBC’s decision not to partner the dancer with any of the male stars.
On Wednesday, Nadiya and Dan looked in high spirits as they caught up at a professional golf match in Virginia Water, Surrey. The duo were spectators at the Pro-Am prior to the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth Golf Club and were spotted clapping along as players took to the green to show off their sporting skills.
Nadiya Bychkova caught up with Dan Walker to watch a spot of golf (Getty Images)
The Ukrainian dancer is said to be livid that she's not been partnered with a celebrity for Strictly 2023 (Getty Images)On Tuesday, Dan lashed out at BBC bosses for failing to pair Nadiya with any of the 2023 Strictly contestants. Taking to X, the app formerly known as Twitter, he declared his excitement for the fast approaching new season, writing: "Looking forward to the new series of Strictly," along with a photo of them on the dancefloor.
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But he added: “All the pros are great but gutted that @NadiyaBychkova hasn’t got a partner.” Dan’s simple tweet effectively confirmed speculation that Nadiya had been left on the bench for the upcoming season.
And subsequent reports suggested the fuming dance pro confronted show bosses about her snub. A source told the MailOnline: “Nadiya was very surprised when she learned she would merely be part of he wider dance troupe. She felt like she had done well since she joined the show so it was a shock. She wanted answers so she held several meetings with the bosses so she could get some answers. She is accepting it now.”
Nadiya has already had Dan's support as he too said he is 'gutted' she didn't get picked for the 2023 line-up (Getty Images)While their report also claimed: “There was no chemistry between Ms Bychkova and the male contestants” - which prompted bosses to make the decision not to pair her with any of the male stars.
The male contestants this year include EastEnders actor Bobby Brazier, former Emmerdale star Adam Thomas, and comedy legend Les Dennis. Love Island's Zara McDermott, TV presenter Angela Scanlon and broadcasting legend Angela Rippon are among the female celebrity contestants taking part.
Strictly Come Dancing begins on BBC One on Saturday night at 6:35pm.