Kai Widdrington and Nadiya Bychkova keep their distance as BBC Strictly stars reunite for first time since split

Kai Widdrington and Nadiya Bychkova

Kai Widdrington and Nadiya Bychkova reportedly called time on their romance earlier this month

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Olivia Gantzer

By Olivia Gantzer


Published: 23/07/2024

- 12:59

The former couple only recently broke up but have been thrust together ahead of the show's return

Strictly Come Dancing stars Nadiya Bychkova and Kai Widdrington were recently reported to have split, and while it's been claimed it was an "amicable" breakup, a new post from Bychkova may indicate they seem to be keeping their distance from each other.

The 34-year-old shared a snap of the entire group of professionals set to take part in this year's series, but she and Widdrington, 28, are at opposite ends of the snap.


The photo shows the smiling professionals huddled together for a group picture, with Bychkova the furthest female positioned to the left while Widdrington is the furthest male placed on the right.

Widdrington is sandwiched between Nikita Kuzmin and Michelle Tsiakkas, while Bychkova poses in front of Vito Coppola and Carlos Gu.

Bychkova captioned the post: "The best things in life are about family and it’s great to be back with the @bbcstrictly team. The new series is going to be amazing. I can’t wait for you to see it #WeGoAgain."

The update comes just days after the two were confirmed to have broken up, with a source telling The Sun: "It's heartbreaking.

"Kai and Nadiya seemed like the most perfect couple and have been so, so blissfully in love. But the pressures of touring - being in each other's space 24/7, and the stress of performing a sell-out show eventually took its toll.

"After a tough few weeks, they sat down together and decided to call it quits.

"They remain incredibly close and are determined their split will not have any impact on the next series of Strictly - they remain consummate professionals, and nothing will change that."

The two had been in a relationship since June 2022, and news of their split comes during a turbulent time for the BBC show, which has been rocked by scandal.

Nadiya Bychkova and Kai Widdrington

Strictly Come Dancing stars Nadiya Bychkova and Kai Widdrington split up recently

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Both Giovanni Pernice and Graziano Di Prima have been axed from the show after claims of "abusive" behaviour towards their celebrity partners of last year during training, something both have denied.

It's also understood a third dancer, who is no longer on the show, has had accusations made against them.

Judge Anton Du Beke was then brought into the ongoing BBC probe over a historic complaint.

Meanwhile, over the weekend it was reported the first female professional dancer had been named in the investigation.

Nadiya Bychkova

Nadiya Bychkova posted a snap of the Strictly Come Dancing professionals

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This week, 2019 contestant Will Bayley has criticised the BBC for its lack of support after he sustained a "lifelong" injury during rehearsals.

Partnered with Janette Manrara, the Paralympian was forced to pull out of the competition as a result of the devastating incident.

BBC director-general Tim Davie broke his silence on the Strictly saga on Tuesday afternoon after the corporation published its annual report and accounts.

Davie apologised for the scandals engulfing the show of late before praising the Beeb for its new safeguarding measures.

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