Strictly Come Dancing couple Nadiya Bychkova and Kai Widdrington have split after two years together.
Professional dancers competing on the controversial BBC show have been suffering from the stress of touring, confidential sources say.
MailOnline can confirm the pair have gone their separate ways following the end of their lucrative Behind the Magic tour, which concluded in June.
A source revealed that their split has been “amicable” and that the dancers will continue to work together professionally.
Nadiya, 33, who was previously engaged to Slovenian footballer Matija Škarabot, 36, attended Wimbledon last week alone, while Kai, 28, visited friends and family in the United States.
Strictly Come Dancing couple Nadiya Bychkova and Kai Widdrington have split after two years together
Ukrainian dancer Nadiya was supposed to attend the Police Bravery Awards with Kai on July 11, but he ended up going alone.
Organisers of the party, which took place at the Royal Lancaster Hotel last Thursday, had hoped to welcome Nadiya and Kai as a couple and were shocked when the mother-of-one was unable to attend.
A source said: ‘Kai and Nadiya were supposed to be the big celebrity names at the event so organisers were shocked when she pulled out at the last minute.
‘Her place name was on the table, everyone was waiting for her. Kai brought a friend instead and he looked dejected, he wasn’t as cheerful as usual.
‘Obviously something was bothering him. A strange guy brought him some tequila shots to his table, which he downed in one gulp, which cheered him up a bit. But it’s clear that the breakup left him very depressed.’
Nadiya began dating Kai in 2022, but the pair kept their romance a secret from Strictly fans for months.
Last year, they were still living apart, admitting they found it “difficult” to manage their romance under the watchful eyes of their fan base.
In January 2022, MailOnline revealed that Nadiya had split from her fiancé Matija, with whom she has a seven-year-old daughter, Mila.
MailOnline understands the couple’s split has been “amicable” and they will continue to work together professionally (pictured in February 2024)
Nadiya, 33, who was previously engaged to Slovenian footballer Matija Skarabot, attended Wimbledon last week alone, while Kai, 28, visited friends and family in the United States.
A close friend of the couple told The Sun: “It’s heartbreaking. Kai and Nadiya seemed the most perfect couple and have been so, so happily in love.”
‘But the pressures of touring (being in each other’s space 24/7) and the stress of performing a sold-out show eventually took their toll.
“After a difficult few weeks, they sat down together and decided to call it quits. They remain incredibly close and are determined that their split will have no impact on the upcoming series of Strictly. They remain consummate professionals and nothing will change that.”
The pair’s romance began after Kai had a rumoured romance with his former celebrity partner AJ Odudu, which was the same season of Strictly that Nadiya danced on with former BBC presenter Dan Walker.
They share an English bulldog, Snoopy, while Kai has previously spoken glowingly of his close relationship with Nadiya’s daughter.
In February, Kai explained that it was “really important that I do things right” with Mila, whom he described as “one of the smartest girls I’ve ever met.”
Kai revealed the new nickname he has for himself, which he said has changed since he last appeared on the show.
He said: ‘She has a new nickname for me. I remember the last time I was on the show it was Kai Lemon Pie, but now it’s Kai Cotton Candy Pie for 2024.’
It’s been a busy few months for the couple, who after finishing the 2023 season of the BBC One show embarked on the Strictly Come Dancing Live! tour before touring the country with Behind the Magic.
Both have been announced in Strictly’s 2024 line-up, which has come under fire in recent weeks amid allegations of behind-the-scenes misconduct.
They share an English bulldog, Snoopy, while Kai has previously spoken glowingly of his close relationship with Nadiya’s seven-year-old daughter Mila.
On Tuesday night it was revealed that a third professional dancer on the show has been named as a “person of interest” following allegations of abuse and harassment.
Graziano Di Prima, 30, was booted from the show last week following reports he verbally and physically abused his celebrity co-star Zara McDermott, 27, during last year’s series.
This comes just weeks after Giovanni Pernice, 33, was suspended pending a BBC investigation into allegations of off-camera misconduct by Amanda Abbington, 50, and two other celebrity exes.
(tags to translate)dailymail
