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Strictly Come Dancing professional dancers Nadiya Bychkova and Kai Widdrington have split after two years together.
According to insiders, the two, who are both taking part in the controversial BBC programme, have fallen victim to the stress of the tour.
The professional dancers of Strictly went their separate ways after their lucrative tour Behind the Magic, which ended in June.
MailOnline understands the couple’s split was ‘amicable’ and they will continue to work together professionally.
Strictly Come Dancing professional dancers Nadiya Bychkova and Kai Widdrington have split after two years
Nadiya, 33, who was previously engaged to Slovenian footballer Matija Skarabot, headed to Wimbledon alone last week while Kai, 28, visited friends and family in the United States.
She was supposed to attend the Police Bravery Awards on July 11 with Kai, but he ended up going alone.
“It’s heartbreaking,” a friend told The Sun. “Kai and Nadiya seemed like the perfect couple and are so, so happy together.
‘But the pressure of touring – being in each other’s spot 24/7 and the stress of a sold-out concert eventually took its toll.
‘After a tough few weeks, they sat down together and decided to call it quits. They are still incredibly close and are determined that their split will not impact the next series of Strictly – they remain consummate professionals and nothing will change that.’
The dancers started dating in 2022 and fell in love when Nadiya was partnered with Dan Walker and Kai danced with AJ Odudu.
Their romance blossomed through text messages and phone calls, until Kai revealed that he had asked her out to dinner.
They have an English Bulldog together, Snoopy, and Kai has previously spoken highly of his close bond with Nadiya’s daughter Mila, who is seven.
MailOnline understands the couple’s split was ‘amicable’ and they will continue to work together professionally (pictured in February 2024)
In February, Kai explained how important it was for him to get it right with Mila, who he described as “one of the smartest girls he’d ever met.”
Kai also revealed the new nickname she has for him, which he says has changed since he last appeared on the show.
He said, “She got 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. After wrapping up the 2023 series of Strictly, they went on a live Strictly tour together in January, before embarking on their Behind the Magic tour.
They have both been announced for the 2024 line-up of Strictly, which has come under fire in recent weeks amid allegations of behind-the-scenes misconduct.
They share an English Bulldog Snoopy, while Kai has previously raved about his close relationship with Nadiya’s daughter Mila, seven
On Tuesday night it was announced that a third professional dancer on the show has been identified as a ‘person of interest’ in the wake of allegations of abuse and bullying.
Graziano Di Prima, 30, was axed from the show last week amid reports he verbally and physically abused his celebrity partner Zara McDermott, 27, during last year’s series.
It came just weeks after Giovanni Pernice, 33, was suspended pending a BBC investigation into allegations of behind-the-scenes misconduct by Amanda Abbington, 50, and two other former celebrities.