Strictly's Nadiya Bychkova and Kai Widdrington to launch own tour after BBC snub

16 September 2023 , 14:57

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Strictly's Nadiya Bychkova and Kai Widdrington to launch own tour after BBC snub

Pro dancers Nadiya Bychkova and Kai Widdrington will rival the official Strictly tour with their own following her shock snub.

The Ukrainian bombshell - who this year hasn’t been given a celebrity partner - is determined to prove she’s successful beyond the BBC series. The 34-year-old and Kai, who is paired with Strictly’s oldest contestant Angela Rippon, will take the follow-up to their debut joint tour Once Upon A Time around the country once again next year on dates yet to be confirmed but last year clashed with the show’s arena tour.

A source said: “They found love on and off the dancefloor and Nadiya and Kai’s chemistry was such a hit they have been asked to do a second tour next year, this time closing in Kai’s hometown of Southampton. They’re in huge demand.”

Nadiya will miss out on a chance at the glitterball trophy for the first time since joining Strictly Come Dancing in 2017 and has been left “seething” at the decision.

Nadiya Bychkova, who joined Strictly Come Dancing back in 2017, will miss out on a chance at the glitterball trophy for the first time (PA)

Kai is in a relationship with professional dance partner Nadiya Bychkova (Aaron Parfitt / SplashNews.com)

Reports claimed the 5ft 7in dancer was deemed too old to be paired with the only contestant tall enough for her - 20-year-old Bobby Brazier, who is a towering 6ft 2in. Yet last night Dianne Buswell was unveiled as the EastEnders actor’s partner - who is 34, just like Nadiya. Kai, 28, also shared his fears that he could be dropped from the show at any moment.

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And he revealed last month that he already has a backup plan to train as an actor. He said: “I’d like to have lessons and potentially do it in the future. You never know when the door’s going to close In terms of this job. They can say thank you, goodbye next year.”

Speaking on Dancing with Drivers, he added that he found the show mentally draining. He said: “The biggest unkept secret is the results show is filmed on the same day. That’s when the dance-off is.

“You’re in from 7am, then it’s the rehearsals, camera blocking for 13 couples, then there’’s a break, press, social media, then an interview for the podcast, then a dress rehearsal with Tess and Claudia, then an hour or two until live show, then chill, then results come in and we do the results show and the dance-off.

“It’s the most mentally draining day. Saturdays are an absolute a write-off. It's rewarding but it takes a lot.” Mum of one Nadiya and Kai have been dating since they met on the show in 2021 when he joined as a professional dancer.

Nicola Fahey