Strictly couple Nadiya Bychkova and Kai Widdrington ‘launch tour’ to rival BBC show after the Ukrainian beauty was left ‘seething’ after not being given a celeb partner for new series
Strictly Come Dancing pro couple Nadiya Bychkova and Kai Widdrington are reportledy set to rival the BBC’s offical tour with their own.
The news comes amid reports that Ukrainian beauty Nadiya, 34, was left ‘seething’ after not being paired with a celeb partner for the new series.
Kai, 28, is said to be joining his girlfriend seemingly in a sign of solidarity despite bosses teaming him up with with TV legend Angela Rippon, 78.
The couple, who have been dating since January 2022, will tour the country for a second time with their show Once Upon A Time in 2024, with dates yet to be confirmed but last year’s clashed with Strictly’s arena tour schedule.
A source told The Mirror: ‘They found love on and off the dance floor 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.’
Big news: Strictly Come Dancing pro couple Nadiya Bychkova, 34, and Kai Widdrington, 28, are reportledy set to rival the BBC’s offical tour with their very own (pictured together earlier this
Fuming: The news comes amid reports that Ukrainian beauty Nadiya was left ‘seething’ after not being paired with a celeb partner for the new series
MailOnline have contacted Nadiya and Kai’s representatives for comment.
Nadiya joined the show back in 2017 and has had a celebrity partner every year since.
And fans were left furious at the BBC’s decision to not give the pro one of their 15 celebrities to dance with, but bosses have hit back saying that there are many factors which determine whether a dancer is chosen to be given a celebrity partner or not, including height and how many years they have been on Strictly.
Corporation sources say that when this year’s stars and professionals met, there was no chemistry between Ms Bychkova and the male contestants.
One told the Mail: ‘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.’
In addition The Sun claims that the reason she was snubbed is because the only male tall enough to be partnered with her was EastEnders star Bobby Brazier, 20, – and there was an ‘uncomfortable’ 14-year age gap between the pair.
Meanwhile the couple are reportedly making the behind the scenes crew feel awkward with their ‘over the top’ displays of affection.
Sticking together: Kai is said to be joining his girlfriend seemingly in a sign of solidarity despite bosses teaming him up with with TV legend Angela Rippon , 78, for the latest series (pictured together)
Loved up: Meanwhile the couple are reportedly making the behind the scenes crew feel awkward with their ‘over the top’ displays of affection (pictured earlier this year)
They have been dating since January 2022 and appear to still be going strong as they ‘struggle to keep their hands off each other’.
According to The Sun the two were kissing, cuddling and making a ‘spectacle’ during breaks in filming Saturday’s pre-recorded launch episode.
A source told the publication: ‘Nadiya and Kai were all over each other during filming and could barely keep their hands off each other.
‘It was over the top and awkward for everyone around them.
And while Nadiya has not been paired with a celebrity partner this year the source said she has her beau at her ‘beck and call’.
‘They definitely seemed to be flaunting their relationship and enjoying the attention.’
The BBC declined to comment, MailOnline have also approached Nadiya and Kai’s representatives for comment.
Strictly Come Dancing 2023: Who are the couples?
Nigel Harman and Katya Jones
Bobby Brazier and Diane Buswell
Annabel Croft and Johannes Radebe
Zara McDermott and Graziano Di Prima
Amanda Abbington and Giovanni Pernice
Angela Rippon and Kai Widdrington
Krishnan Guru-Murthy and Lauren Oakley
Angela Scanlon and Carlos Gu
Ellie Leach and Vito Coppola
Adam Thomas and Luba Mushtuk
Jody Cundy and Jowita Przystał
Layton Williams and Nikita Kuzmin
Nikita Kanda and Gorka Marquez
Les Dennis and Nancy Xu
Eddie Kadi and Karen Hauer
