Kai Widdrington and Nadiya Bychkova have faced each other publicly for the first time since their reported split, but noticeably kept their distance in a picture posted from a Strictly Come Dancing rehearsal.
The image was shared by 34-year-old Ukrainian native Bychkova on her personal Instagram account and sees her and Widdrington, 28, pose with the rest of the show’s dancers, but at separate ends from one another.
A smiling Widdrington is sandwiched between Nikita Kuzmin and Michelle Tsiakkas, while Bychkova poses in front of Vito Coppola and Carlos Gu.
Bychkova’s accompanying caption read: "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,” followed by the hashtag “We Go Again”.
It comes just days after the two - who first began dating in 2022 - were confirmed to have broken up, with an insider 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 BBC dance competition is currently embroiled in scandal following allegations against several professional dancers and concerns about contestant treatment, including complaints from Amanda Abbington and Zara McDermott.
Both Giovanni Pernice and Graziano Di Prima have been axed from the show after claims of "abusive" behaviour towards their celebrity partners last year during training.
While Di Prima has admitted to some of the allegations, Pernice has denied any wrongdoing on his part and vowed he’ll “be back”.
It is also understood a third dancer, who is no longer on the show, has had accusations made against them.
