BBC Strictly bosses 'not happy with Nikita Kuzmin' after joining ITV reality series CBB 'for huge fee'

BBC Strictly bosses 'not happy with Nikita Kuzmin' after joining ITV reality series CBB 'for huge fee'

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Lauren Williams

By Lauren Williams


Published: 11/03/2024

- 14:44

The BBC Strictly dancer has been in the Celebrity Big Brother house for one week

Strictly Come Dancing star Nikita Kuzmin has reportedly upset BBC bosses after he signed with Celebrity Big Brother.

Kuzmin recently revealed – and insisted – that he asked show bosses whether he could take part in the ITV series, despite show bosses not being overly-thrilled with the idea.


A source has since said that Kuzmin was more obliged to take the opportunity to star on the show after being offered more than triple his Strictly fee.

“Nikita is getting paid more for a few weeks in the CBB house than he does for an entire series of Strictly – which is 12 hours a day of work, six days a week.

“But to say Strictly aren’t pleased about him signing up is an understatement,” they told The Mirror.

“There wasn’t much they could do to stop him, given that dancers are contracted for each series rather than being on a rolling contract.”

Nikita Kuzmin

Nikita has been in the Big Brother house for a week

ITV

GB News contacted the BBC who declined to comment.

Kuzmin recently opened up about how the Strictly bosses reacted when he told them ITV had approached him to take part in the reality show.

He told The Sun: “To be fair, I also asked out of respect. They’re the ones who brought me to this country and gave me all these opportunities. I feel almost like they raised me, in a way.

“They just said to me, ‘Make us proud’.”

Nikita Kuzmin and Layton Williams

The BBC were reportedly unhappy with Nikita's signing

BBC

His first appearance on Celebrity Big Brother sparked fears he had broken up with his girlfriend Lauren Jaine after he failed to mention her during his opening VT.

The professional dancer claimed he was “flirty” and enjoyed “kissing” and “hugging” – leaving out the point that he was taken.

Later that evening, Jaine appeared on Big Brother’s sister show Late and Live, where she was merely referred to as his “friend”.

However, this didn’t seem to bother Jaine as she posted her support for Kuzmin on her Instagram and captioned the image with a sweet and supportive message.

Nikita Kuzmin

Nikita is said to have received a big fee for his Big Brother stint

BBC

"The secret is out! As much as I’m going to miss this crazy boy, I’m so excited for him to be part of this amazing experience.

"The gattos and I will be watching every single night!!!! Love you @nikita__kuzmin." (sic)

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