Strictly Come Dancing star Nadiya Bychkova has spoken up about introducing her partner Kai Widdrington to her daughter Mila, revealing that it ‘wasn’t easy’.
Nadiya, 33, and Kai, 27, were ‘caught kissing’ in January of last year, sparking suspicion about whether or not they were dating.
The couple has now grown more open about their relationship, with Nadiya recently posting a sweet Instagram snap of herself, her partner, and her kid all wrapped up in a tight hug, enjoying the’magical time’ they had together in Belgium.
The dancers appeared on Loose Women together on Friday, and Nadiya recalled how much of a ‘gentleman’ Kai was when he first asked her out to dinner.
Judi Love, the show’s host, then asked her about introducing Kai into Mila’s life, having had her child with her ex-fiancé Matija Skarabot.
Relating to Nadiya as a single parent, Judi asked her what it was like ‘taking that leap of dating somebody and introducing them to your daughter’, saying: ‘How did you feel about doing that? What made you feel like this is right for us?’
‘It took quite some time, honestly. It’s not easy, ‘cause as you know, you protect your child as much as you can. It took some time, but he proved himself in all the possible ways,’ she responded.
Judi held Nadiya’s hand as Kai shared Mila’s endearing nickname for him, prompting a loud ‘aww’ from the audience.
‘She calls me Kai Lemon Pie. She goes, “Hi Kai Lemon Pie. Bye Kai Lemon Pie,”’ he revealed while beaming from ear to ear.
He also spoke about being Nadiya’s partner on and off the dance floor, stating: ‘When we dance together, it just works. It’s not often that you get that and I can honestly say, it’s the best person I’ve ever danced with… not because she’s sat here and she’s my girlfriend…’
During their discussion, Nadiya, a Ukrainian, she discussed how she described the continuing conflict between Ukraine and Russia to her daughter.
‘I’m trying to explain as much as I can for a six year old. My mum flew on Christmas Eve back to Ukraine, to look after my grandma. It took her three days so Mila is aware of all of this,’ she said.
‘Obviously she goes to a Ukrainian school on Saturday so they do explain some things there. It’s quite difficult but we’re doing everything we can, we try to help people here – Ukrainians with some clothes or anything we have. So it is tough.’
She added that while she doesn’t ‘talk much about it’, ‘you just have to deal with it’.
Loose Women airs weekdays from 12.30pm on ITV.
