Nadiya Bychkova makes feelings clear on Kai Widdrington split amid BBC Strictly dance: ‘We are not friends’

Nadiya Bychkova unfortunately found herself the first person to leave this year’s Strictly Come Dancing alongside Olympian Tom Dean.

The 35-year-old left the current series of the BBC competition in week one, much to the surprise of many viewers. However, she is set to keep appearing in the professional routines, which means occasionally performing with her ex and fellow Strictly pro, Kai Widdrington.

The couple started dating in 2022 and were spotted together on several occasions appearing very loved-up.

However, the two dancers confirmed their decision to split earlier this year, citing the pressure that comes with working and touring as the main reason for going their separate ways.

Widdrington, 29, and Bychkova met in 2021 when the former made his Strictly debut. They soon became close and were romantically linked the following year.

However, despite the fact the two appear civil, it seems things aren’t entirely warm between the former couple, with Bychkova admitting “we are not friends”.

When asked about her former romance, she commented: “We work together but we are not friends and that’s ok.”

“One thing I can tell you is that when you see me dancing with him it will be amazing because I’m a professional,” she added while talking to The Mirror.

She made the comments as she arrived at this year’s Pride of Britain Awards, which was filmed this week and is set to air later this month.

The dancer attended the heartwarming event alongside Dean, 24, and made clear her dedication to teaching the swimmer to dance despite their early exit from the show.

She went on to tell the publication that while it wasn’t “nice” to be voted off first, she and Dean had received “so much support”.

“We are going to keep dancing though. I am going to teach him a salsa with some big lifts,” she added.

Showering Dean with praise, she continued: “Not for TV, just so he can see he can be brilliant.”

Meanwhile, Widdrington seemed to make his feelings regarding his ex clear in September after she was booted off the show, which sparked complaints of “a fix”.

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It came as the couple were eliminated by the judges despite being in the dance-off against Toyah Willcox and Neil Jones, who were early favourites to leave.

While viewers fumed over the exit and Bychkova herself issuing a cryptic statement, Widdrington seemed to support Jones and Willcox.

He “liked” a social media post by Jones, expressing his pride towards Willcox despite the backlash they had faced.

The online interaction seemed to suggest he didn’t believe his ex and had been wronged by being the first to be voted off.