Strictly Come Dancing fans are concerned about losing one of their favourite pros due to speculations that he has signed up for Celebrity Big Brother 2024.
Nikita Kuzmin is the latest celebrity to generate suspicions that he will be entering the famous home when the social experiment returns next week for its first celeb version since ITV’s acquisition.
Fans of the BBC dance programme are concerned that Nikita, 26, who has only been a Strictly professional for three years, would leave to explore new job opportunities if the CBB gossip is accurate.
The Ukrainian dancer, who reached the Strictly 2023 final with Layton Williams, joins Joey Essex, Gary Goldsmith, and Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu in the speculated CBB line-up.
A TV insider said: ‘This will send the rumour mill into overdrive, with some already suggesting he may not return to Strictly and is instead making the most of being a rising star.’
They added to The Sun: ‘He’ll have been selected by CBB producers as an obvious heartthrob who can spice things up in the house — and maybe even spill some secrets from behind the scenes of Strictly.’
When contacted previously for comment relating to line-up rumours, an ITV spokesperson said: ‘Any names suggested for Celebrity Big Brother are purely speculation.’
Fans will have to wait a few more days to find out who the celebrity roommates are.
For the first time, the whole lineup will not be released prior to launch, so the only way to find out will be when they enter the house on Monday, March 4.
Naturally, the gossip mill goes into overdrive, especially when names like Sharon Osbourne are mentioned.
Yes, in a stunning twist after Louis Walsh speculations, it has been reported that the fellow X Factor superstar may be joining him, much to the delight of fans.
‘Landing Sharon is a huge coup for the series, especially as she has such a strong on-screen partnership with Louis,’ a TV source said.
‘She is guaranteed entertainment and sure to be a hit with viewers,’ they told The Sun.
Fern Britton, who co-hosted This Morning with Phillip Schofield for six years, is another name that has sparked interest.
A source told The Mirror that Fern is looking to show the public ‘a different side to her’ that is ‘unscripted and unapologetic.’
‘She has a lot of stories to tell and she won’t hold back when it comes to her relationships with people like Phil,’ the insider continued.
‘They don’t speak anymore so there are no bridges to burn as far as she is concerned.’
AJ Odudu and Will Best return as CBB presenters following the success of civilian Big Brother last fall, in which former lawyer Jordan Sangha emerged triumphant and £100,000 wealthier.
https://videos.metro.co.uk/video/met/2024/02/27/5737981160379141871/480x270_MP4_5737981160379141871.mp4In addition to the uncertainty surrounding the lineup, CBB is seeing another shake-up this year, which has many split.
Instead than voting to evict the housemates as in the previous series, fans will instead vote to save, which means you’ll always vote for your fave celebs rather than the ones you want to boot out.
Not everyone was pleased with the news, with many calling it ‘boring’ and ‘expected’.
Celebrity Big Brother airs at 9pm on ITV1 and ITVX on March 4.