Strictly Come Dancing's Nadiya Bychkova has released a heartfelt statement after going up against boyfriend Kai Widdrington in the first dreaded dance off of the 2022 series. While Nadiya and her celebrity partner Matt Goss were saved by the judging panel, Kai and and Loose Women star Kaye Adams were voted off.
Despite remaining in the competition, Nadiya said the dreaded dance off was "especially tough" and told fans she was gutted for Kai and Kaye. She wrote: "It’s always tough to be in the first ever dance off of the series and it was especially tough to be in there against the amazing @kayeadamsofficial and of course my [heart] @kaiwidd I'm gutted for you both.
"@kayeadamsofficial you are really a superstar and I absolutely adore you. You did an incredible job and I’m sure from what you told me you had and amazing strictly experience with @kaiwidd.
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"I am proud of you partner @mattgoss and so grateful for another week @bbcstrictly and a chance to comeback fighting."
The vote saw Anton Du Beke, Motsi Mabuse and Craig Revel Horwood choose to save Matt and Nadiya. Head judge Shirley Ballas said she would have opted to save Kaye and Kai but was overruled but the panel.
Kai also took to Instagram to send a sweet message to Kaye, he wrote: "I want to say a massive thank you to my amazing celebrity partner @kayeadamsofficial It was my absolute pleasure to step into the rehearsal room and on to that strictly ballroom floor with you we had such fun endless laughs and I’m gutted it’s come to an early end. You really are and always will be a superstar ! keep shining."
Strictly continues Saturday night on BBC One. For more showbiz and television stories get our newsletter here.
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