Strictly’s Kai Widdrington was seen out for the first time since his split from his fellow dancer on the show. Nadiya Bychkova while promoting a pantomime in Liverpool on Friday.
The 28-year-old put on a brave face, donned a Captain Hook costume and posed alongside his co-stars, with whom he will take to the stage at the city’s M and S Bank Arena at Christmas.
MailOnline has confirmed the former couple, who compete on the BBC series, split after two years together in June, at the end of their lucrative Behind the Magic tour.
Kai looked unrecognizable in his elaborate stage costume that included golden skulls and a fake moustache to represent the magical adventures of the Peter Pan villain.
The Strictly star confidently posed in character and raised her hand in a hooked position while also brandishing a sword.
Strictly’s Kai Widdrington, 28, was spotted for the first time since his split from fellow showrunner Nadiya Bychkova as he promoted an upcoming pantomime in Liverpool on Friday.
MailOnline has confirmed the former couple, who compete on the BBC series, split after two years together in June, at the end of their lucrative Behind the Magic tour.
The show’s “golden couple” were reportedly “emotionally distancing” themselves from each other, leading to their shock split after two tearful outings together.
It has now been reported that the couple were battling off-stage issues during their tour and the pressure of Being in each other’s space 24/7 eventually “took its toll” on their relationship.
A friend of Kai and Nadiya, 33, said: Sun:It’s heartbreaking. Kai and Nadiya seemed like the most perfect couple and were 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.
‘They had been emotionally adrift for a while, and things came to a head during the tour, ironically called Behind The Magic, which was obviously incredibly problematic.’
Kai and Nadiya made the mutual decision to call it quits “after a rough few weeks” once their tour ended, the source added.
MailOnline has contacted representatives for Kai and Nadiya for comment.
The Daily Mail also revealed on Thursday that Nadiya met Strictly bosses to complain about the show, as the show’s crisis continues to widen.
Kai put on a brave face and donned his Captain Hook costume and posed alongside his fellow cast members, with whom he will take to the stage at the city’s M and S Bank Arena at Christmas.
He looked unrecognizable in his elaborate stage costume that included gold skulls and a fake mustache to represent the show’s villain.
The Strictly star confidently posed in character and raised her hand in a hooked position while also brandishing a sword.
Kai will star in The Magical Adventures of Peter Pan from December 17 to 29, 2024
Nadiya contacted corporation bosses on Wednesday evening and was then quickly invited to a face-to-face meeting to discuss her concerns.
She is said to be “upset” by certain matters surrounding Saturday night’s dance show and was keen to raise them with the BBC as they continue to carry out their investigation into Amanda Abbington’s claims that Giovanni Pernice bullied her during rehearsals – claims Pernice strenuously denies.
Sources at the show now say the crisis is “getting worse by the day” as more claims and accusations emerge about Strictly, which has been the jewel in the BBC’s crown for 20 years.
One of them told the Mail: ‘Nadiya got in touch out of the blue and wanted to speak to bosses. They now take every murmur of complaint seriously so she was invited in straight away.
‘She’s been on the show for a few years so she’ll have seen a lot and possibly experienced some unpleasant behaviour too, she’ll have worked with a lot of people.
‘Things are getting really serious now, it’s a mess and it’s getting worse by the day.
‘This is the third allegation of some sort of problem on the show. It was a surprise, but now that the investigation into Giovanni Pernice is underway, it has opened up the opportunity for others to complain when they might not have done so before.
“There seem to be some very unhappy people at Strictly. There are now fears about how this will end, nobody knows.”
Despite reports that their split is amicable, friends of Nadiya and Kay also told the publication that they are “no longer on friendly terms”, which they fear will lead to a frosty atmosphere when the new series begins in September.
It has now been reported that the pair were battling issues off-stage during their tour, and the pressure of being in each other’s space 24/7 eventually “took its toll” on their relationship.
Nadiya and Kai are confirmed for the next series of Strictly, which returns to screens in September (pictured in November 2022)
Nadiya, 33, who was previously engaged to Slovenian footballer Matija Škarabot, 36, attended Wimbledon last week alone, while Kai visited friends and family in the United States.
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 revealed: ‘Kai and Nadiya were supposed to be the big famous 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. There was clearly something on his mind.
‘An unknown guy brought him some tequila shots to his table, which he downed in one gulp in an attempt to cheer him up. But clearly the split left him feeling incredibly 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.
The pair’s split comes amid ongoing scrutiny surrounding Strictly after professional dancers Giovanni Pernice and Graziano Di Prima were axed from the show.
In January 2022, MailOnline revealed that Nadiya had split from her fiancé Matija, with whom she has a seven-year-old daughter, Mila.
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.