Nadiya Bychkova's Strictly Come Dancing exit is believed to have stemmed from her romance with professional dancer Kai Widdrington, behind-the-scenes outbursts, and her close bond with former celebrity partner Dan Walker, according to insiders.
Sources have dismissed suggestions that the 36-year-old Ukrainian-born performer lost her position on the BBC One programme because of her age, describing such claims as "well wide of the mark."
The dancer's conduct away from the ballroom floor appears to have been the primary factor in ending her Strictly career, Mail Online reports.
Her split from Mr Widdrington, 30, following their two-year relationship reportedly created uncomfortable dynamics among fellow professionals, while BBC executives reportedly grew concerned about the attention generated by her ongoing friendship with the married television presenter.
Nadiya Bychkova was named among the four dancers 'axed' from BBC Strictly
|BBC
Ms Bychkova's romance with Mr Widdrington proved troublesome for show bosses, who actively try to avoid having former couples within the professional line-up to maintain group harmony.
Colleagues found spending time around the pair following their separation to be "awkward," according to sources close to the production.
An insider told Mail Online: "Their relationship, which lasted two years, did not go down well with bosses, who are at pains to include exes in the professionals' line-up in order to retain harmony within the group."
The tension created by their break-up added to existing concerns about Ms Bychkova's behaviour, with her "diva-like outbursts behind-the-scenes" reportedly angering fellow cast members.
Kai Widdrington was in a relaitonship with his fellow Strictly pro Nadiya Bychkova
|GETTY
The dancer's enduring friendship with Mr Walker, a father of three who has been married to his wife Sarah for 25 years, is also understood to have become a source of discomfort for BBC bosses.
The pair's close connection "became the talk of Strictly" despite their competition together ending five years ago, with both continuing to publicly praise one another on social media.
Last June, Mr Walker flew from a family holiday in Nice to present the TRIC Awards in London, where Ms Bychkova was attending, before catching a 6am flight back the following morning.
Sources claimed he acted as her "Instagram husband" at the event.
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Gorka Marquez is one of the other dancers said to be leaving | PA Photos showed her with a ring light before they spent time together at an afterparty in the hotel's Red Bar.
A show source told the publication: "Nadiya's relationship with Dan still wrangles with many execs, it makes them feel uncomfortable and triggers needless attention.
"It's not a great look for either of them, but as Nadiya is still connected with the show, she has more to lose by seemingly parading this cosy connection. Their friendship became a problem."
Ms Bychkova's competitive record is also thought to have weighed against her, with her last three celebrity partnerships failing to reach the top ten.
Dan Walker was partnered with Nadiya in 2021
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This includes disappointing early exits with swimmer Tom Dean and rugby captain Chris Robshaw, finishing 15th and 13th respectively.
When she was left without a celebrity partner in 2023, the dancer reportedly reacted poorly, believing herself to be among the show's most popular performers.
Her departure on Sunday came alongside fellow professionals Gorka Marquez, Luba Mushtuk and Michelle Tsiakas as producers seek a fresh start for 2026 following years of scandal.
The BBC declined to comment on the reports when contacted by GB News, with a spokesperson reiterating that plans for Strictly Come Dancing 2026 will be confirmed in due course.