Nadiya Bychkova Makes First Public Appearance Following Departure from ‘Strictly

Nadiya Bychkova made her much-anticipated return to television on Wednesday, marking her first public appearance since her surprising departure from “Strictly Come Dancing.” The 36-year-old, who had been a staple on the beloved BBC dance show for several years, was recently let go by the show’s producers.

Despite this setback, Bychkova has maintained her connection with the BBC. On Thursday, she was seen leaving the BBC Studios in Manchester after featuring on “Morning Live.” During her appearance, she skillfully avoided discussing her exit from “Strictly,” instead engaging hosts Helen Skelton and Gethin Jones in a lively dance workout segment aptly named “Strictly Fitness.”

After the show, Bychkova was seen making a quick exit to her car. She sported a stylish cream coat and jumper, complemented by dark sunglasses, as she navigated the attention with poise and grace. Her appearance and demeanor suggest that she is ready to embrace new opportunities beyond “Strictly Come Dancing.”

The dancer swerved any mention of her Strictly axing whilst on the live show, instead leading presenters Helen Skelton and Gethin Jones in a dance workout with the segment given the awkward title of ‘Strictly Fitness’. 

She was later spotted leaving dashing to her car, hiding behind dark shades and dressed in a chic cream coat and jumper. 

Before it emerged the Ukrainian star was being dropped from this year’s lineup, Nadiya also failed to appear on the tour for the second year in a row.

Nadiya Bychkova returned to TV screens on Wednesday as she was spotted for then first time since being axed from Strictly Come Dancing

Since the news of her axing emerged she has been enjoying a trip to Turkey staying at the £3K-a-night holiday at Regnum The Crown.

Nadiya has not yet addressed her axing from Strictly Come Dancing, with the BBC yet to reveal this year’s official lineup.

The Daily Mail revealed that rumours she was pulled from the pro lineup due to her age are ‘well wide of the mark’.

In fact, it is her backstage tantrums and her friendship with Dan Walker, who competed with her in 2021, that is behind the decision not to renew her contract. 

Her diva-like outbursts behind-the-scenes infuriated co-stars, while her break-up with Kai Widdrington, 30, caused unwanted tension among the pros who found being in their company ‘awkward’.

Their relationship, which last two years, did not go down well with bosses, who are at pains to include exes in the professionals’ line-up in order to retain harmony within the group. 

An insider said: ‘Strictly is a light entertainment show, but it has to be competitive – otherwise it doesn’t work.

‘Execs want the pros to treat the series like a sport and get the best results out of their partners, without going over the top and avoiding bullying scandals which have marred the show in recent years, of course.

Proving she still has ties to the BBC, on Thursday Nadiya was spotted leaving the BBC Studios in Manchester after an appearance on Morning Live

‘But Nadiya’s last three outings with a celebrity partner (also including Matt Goss) haven’t pulled up any trees – she hasn’t even made the top 10 with any of them.

‘So in order to keep standards high, there’s hoping whoever fills Nadiya’s place on the line-up will achieve better results.’ 

Other pro dancers axed this year include Michelle Tsiakkas, 30, Luba Mushtuk, 36, and Gorka Márquez, 35.

On Tuesday, Daily Mail revealed that Karen Hauer – the longest serving professional female dancer since 2012 – has also been cut.

Despite performing on the programme for 13 years, Karen was informed of the decision in recent days.

Karen’s last celebrity partner on the series was Gladiator star Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, while the year before she danced with former footballer Paul Merson and, in 2023, comedian Eddie Kadi. 

Meanwhile, Daily Mail also revealed that desperate BBC bosses have secured Katya Jones’ place on the show as they know how popular she is with viewers.