The countdown is on for BBC viewers to switch onto the glitz and glamour of Strictly Come Dancing, as its 21st season fast approaches this Autumn.
Although the official lineup of celebrity contestants has yet to be confirmed, speculation is already swirling around several famous faces.
Professional dancer, 27-year-old Nikita Kuzmin, recently posted photos to his Instagram showing fans he's been enjoying quality time with family and friends out in Italy ahead of his own comeback.
In the post's caption, he pressed that he won't get the chance to see his family for months whilst Strictly airs from September until December.
His caption read: "A bit sad thinking that this was the last time seeing my family until Christmas, would love to have them here in London with me."
The sweet snaps show the star soaking up the breathtaking Italian scenery and spending time with his partner, Lauren Jaine, and family.
Users were quick to take note of the fact that the Ukrainian dancer will be away from his family for so long, and penned heartfelt messages of support in the comments.
"I know it seems long to see your family," one user wrote, "but time does fly and I know you're going o be busy so time will go so quick!"
Sam Quek and Nikita Kuzmin for BBC Strictly
|BBC
Another added: "Wonderful photos of time spent with your lovely family. Hopefully they can come over and see you in London before Christmas."
"No doubt about it, they're so unbelievably proud of you," a third user added, before another chimed in: ""Ahhh Nikita my heart goes out to you!
"We are sooo lucky to have you with us in the UK, but understand how hard it must be for you being away from family. Please know we love you lots and are sending supportive hug." (sic)
The Strictly professionals have recently gathered for the first dance rehearsals of the year, which sparked fury in former contestant Wynne Evans yesterday.
The Strictly Come Dancing Professional Dancers for Children in Need 2025
|BBC Pictures
The 53-year-old opera singer launched a spectacular attack at the BBC on Instagram yesterday, claiming "his voice was taken away", and that the show is "fundamentally flawed in its duty of care" after he was let go from the corporation earlier this year.
In May this year, Evans was dismissed by the BBC after The Mail on Sunday reported that he had made an "inappropriate and unacceptable" sex joke to Janette Manrara, one of the former professional dancers on the show.
The Go Compare star has now taken to social media to pen a scathing attack on the corporation for his treatment during and after his time on the show.
He fired shots at the BBC Director General, Tim Davie, and the rest of the corporation, accusing them of "protecting themselves" amid the scandal.
"What I wasn’t prepared for was the way people will protect their personal and BBC brands, at any cost," Evans said, before accusing the BBC of fabricating events and incidents.
"In the aftermath, I found myself dealing with an HR department that twisted facts, invented files and dates, and created a version of events that simply wasn’t true.
"Statements were issued in my name that I hadn’t even seen, let alone agreed to. My voice was taken away."
He also said the intensity of the events drove him to seek psychiatric help, as the publicity took him close to the "edge".
Wynne Evans was booted off the Strictly live tour for comment towards Janette Manrara (middle) | GETTY"I thought about that promise while sitting in a psychiatrist’s office near the BBC, staring out of the window at the BBC building, fighting to save my own life.
"That’s how close I came to the edge."
In 2024, Amanda Abbington accused former Strictly dancer Giovanni Pernice of bullying and harassment, leading the BBC to conduct a review.
The corporation subsequently implemented a range of measures to protect the contestant's welfare, including having a chaperone present "at all times" during training room rehearsals.