Strictly Come Dancing‘s Nadiya Bychkova is reportedly ‘seething’ after failing to land a celebrity partner since entering the show in 2017.
The 34-year-old dancer was coupled with Matt Goss last year and Channel 5 broadcaster Dan Walker the year before, finishing in fifth place.
However, it appears that Nadiya will not be able to compete for the coveted Glitterball and will instead perform in the group dances.
According to reports, the Ukrainian dancer, who is dating fellow pro Kai Widdrington, was left ‘seething’ by the news.
A source told The Mirror: ‘Nadiya lives and breathes Strictly, and so to hear that she wouldn’t have a celebrity partner this year was crushing for her. She was both gutted, and very, very angry.’
The insider added: ‘She has come to terms with it over the past few weeks, and will do her best to support Kai during the series. But it was devastating news for her.’
This comes after show producers increased security on the stage and at the stars’ hotel after ‘overzealous’ fans followed female dancers home.
Some BBC show viewers have been ‘showing up or delivering presents’ to dancers’ homes, which is concerning.
Dianne Buswell and Nadiya both had followers show up at their homes, but neither filed police reports.
Although Dianne has now moved in with her real-life husband Joe Sugg, the occurrences have sparked worries about the safety of the entire group.
‘Some of the pro dancers have been targeted by some very overzealous fans, who are often at the studio gates and outside the hotel,’ an insider told The Mirror.
Amanda Abbington, Bobby Brazier, Les Dennis, Angela Rippon, and Zara McDermott are among those competing this year.
Of course, Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman return as hosts, while Craig Revel Horwood, Shirley Ballas, Motsi Mabuse, and Anton Du Beke return to judge and hopefully hand out those tens.
Strictly Come Dancing returns to BBC One and iPlayer on Saturday, September 16 at 6:35pm.
