Strictly star Kai Widdrington has opened up about being left with no partner last year.
The 29-year-old pro dancer joined the hit BBC show in 2021 and has since become a favourite with viewers. However, despite his popularity, Kai was snubbed during last year’s series. He was not paired with any celebrity partner, but joined the cast for group dances.
Kai Widdrington addresses Strictly ‘snub’
Since becoming a part of the Strictly family, 2024 was the first year Kai wasn’t assigned a celeb. During an appearance on Lorraine this morning (May 14), host Christine Lampard asked how he felt.
“It’s never nice,” he admitted. “There’s a few ways you can look at it, you can go down and sad about it, or you can take a step back and ask, ‘What can I change in my life? What can I improve on?’ and I made a few changes in my life,” Kai added.
He continued: “I sorted myself out. I wanted to feel good in my own skin and now I can happily say this, I’m the happiest I’ve ever been, which is number one. I’m in the best psychical shape I’ve ever been in since I was probably 17 at the height of my competition career and I’m feeling good going into my show.”
As he prepares to embark on his solo tour, Kai insisted he will be “nice and fit” when he returns to Strictly later this year.
Even though Kai said he is “really excited”, it has not yet been announced whether he will be paired with a celebrity.
‘I feel like I’ve started a new chapter in my life’
In other Kai news, he revealed he has never felt better after forming a new relationship with girlfriend Chloe after splitting from Strictly co-star Nadiya Bychkova last year.
“I’m feeling really good. I don’t know what it is, it’s 2025, I’m turning 30 in August, and I feel like I’ve started a new chapter in my life. Things come at the perfect time,” he explained.
Kai admitted his happiness is “largely down to my other half as well”.
Since 2021, Kai Widdrington has been paired with a few familiar faces on Strictly.
Kai Widdrington and AJ Odudu finished third on Strictly
During his first year, Kai found huge success with Big Brother host AJ Odudu.
Making it all the way to the finals, they had to unfortunately withdraw at the last minute after AJ suffered an ankle injury the day before.
However, their time on the hit BBC show is far from forgotten. During the first week, AJ and Kai topped the leaderboard with a score of 34 for their jive.
Discussing her time on the show, AJ praised her dance partner, describing Kai as “funny”, “kind”, and “patient”, stating: “He’s going to be in my life forever.”
“I feel like we share the same ethics, in the same way that I’m speaking to my mum before the show, he’s got his mum and dad on FaceTime and his grandad before the show, his brother,” she told The Sun.
Kai and Kaye Adams
The following year, Kai was paired with Loose Women panelist Kaye Adams.
While he made the finals a year prior, he had less luck with Kaye after they became the first couple to be voted off.
After their quick departure from the show, Kai thanked Kaye for her hard work.
“I want to say a massive thank you to my amazing celebrity partner @kayeadamsofficial,” he wrote on Instagram.
“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 #TeamspecialK.”
Kaye responded, stating she “couldn’t have wished for a better teacher”.
Kai and Angela Rippon
In 2023, Kai had better luck with legendary broadcaster Angela Rippon.
Even though they finished in seventh place, their friendship has continued to blossom off-screen.
In an Instagram post shared in July last year, Kai reflected on their relationship.
“We had the most incredible journey together, a journey that not only led to some incredible dances but to a friendship that endures today, and reminded us of one of the seminal dance moves of all time, the “Angela Rippon leg”!!” he wrote.
Read more: BBC announces Strictly Come Dancing professional dancers for 2025 as two new pros join lineup
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