Strictly stars Nadiya Bychkova and Kai Widdrington reveal details of their ‘special’ romance

Nadiya Bychkova and Kai Widdrington say they are living the ‘dream fairytale’ after falling in love with Strictly Come Dancing.

The couple, who have been dating since January last year, told MailOnline that their romance, which sees them appearing together on the BBC One series and touring their show Once Upon a Time, is “incredibly special” because of the chemistry they share on stage is real.

In an exclusive interview, Nadiya, 33, and Kai, 27, despite public misconception, revealed that they have yet to take their long-standing relationship to the next level and move in together, admitting it’s ‘difficult’ to be under the watchful eye from their loyal fanbase.

Nadiya, who shares daughter Mila with ex-fiance Matija Škarabot, explained that it took her and Kai some time to establish their feelings for each other, while Strictly viewers were eager to find out if they had become the show’s first professional pairing to find love on the dance floor.

She said, “In the beginning we were still figuring it out ourselves! It’s easier now in the sense that everyone knows we’re together, but having a relationship in the public eye is hard.”

Kai added, “Everything is scrutinized,” before Nadiya continued, “but there are some positives: we get to do what we love and make the show, so it’s how you balance it.”

The Strictly pros went to great lengths to hide their new relationship when they first started dating in January 2022, admitting they would even go out “in disguise” to protect their blossoming romance.

But now the couple, who performed live at London’s St. Pancras International on Tuesday to celebrate their partnership with retailer Dune London, have no reason to hold back.

Kai said, “For us, we live the absolute dream fairy tale. We really try to take it all in.”

“It’s very special to tour together because it gets easier… we are together, we share everything together, and it’s very special,” Nadiya revealed.

“I remember opening night when our tour all came together, and I was like ‘wow’, it’s an incredible moment and we have to share it together.” It’s weird.’

Nadiya explained that audiences, including former Strictly contestant and EastEnders star Maisie Smith, enjoy seeing the couple’s romantic chemistry come to life on stage as they can see their feelings go beyond the performance .

She said: “Maisie came to see the show and usually you watch a performance and they’re not together romantically, which is still beautiful, but for us we’re really together, and to see that on stage… is it real.

“We do let more people in with our show because it’s very personal. We get to tell them a lot more about us as a couple and how dance brought us together. Once upon a time… the name certainly gives it away.’

Though their relationship has been a whirlwind, Kai confirmed that the couple has yet to move in together and just like in the early stages of their dating, they still intend to keep the intimate details of their relationship out of the spotlight.

Kai said, “We don’t live together…everyone thinks we do. We try to keep our private life as private as possible.

‘At the same time, we are aware that we are in the public eye. We try to be as private as possible. That’s what we tried to do in the beginning and we’re still trying to do it now.

“It’s no secret to anyone that we’re together, but we don’t let anyone dictate what we should and shouldn’t do and give us a timeline.”

Ukrainian-born Nadiya, who first joined Strictly in 2017 and has since worked with the likes of ex-pro footballer David James and former BBC Breakfast presenter Dan Walker, admitted she often reflects on her career as a two-time World and European Champion, knowing that ‘as a woman’ it was an uphill battle to reach the top of her abilities.

She said, “Everything is overwhelming in the sense that I’m doing something I love at this level and I’m making a show.”

“As a woman you look back, I’m a mother and I’ve worked so hard to be where I am today and the moment I’m on stage… there’s a very special moment towards the end of the show that we dedicate to our families and actually it hits and it hits every night.

“In the nicest way possible, I think we women have to work at least twice as hard to get to the stage where you say ‘okay I’m here’ and we have to say well done a little more often than we do. .’

Nadiya and Kai have yet to win the Strictly Glitter Ball in their celebrity collaborations on the show.

Kai came close in 2021 after reaching the final with presenter AJ Odudu before she was forced to withdraw from the competition with an injury.

The star, who was paired with Loose Women panelist Kaye Adams and became the first to leave the series last year, insists not every contestant enjoys the Strictly experience.

He said, “I always think when your celebrity turns around at the end of the series and says, ‘I had a great time,’ that’s great… but not all of them say that!”

“You get thrown in there with someone you’ve probably never met, for Nadiya it’s her fourth language, and ten hours in a studio with someone you’ve never met before…

Nadiya added, “And some people have never done anything like this before. It’s completely new and there’s a lot of pressure, all eyes are on you… it’s not easy, it’s tough, it’s quite an experience. If you’re there for them, they’ll have a great experience.’

Nadiya and Kai put their dance expertise to good use on Tuesday by performing live for commuters at London’s St. Pancras International to celebrate their partnership with Dune London.

The pair are modeling the retailer’s latest occasionwear collection, which includes a pair of gold diamond sandals that Nadiya wore during the couple’s routine that would pair perfectly with the glitzy Strictly set.

Speaking about their collaboration with the brand, Nadiya said, “It felt beautiful.

‘This is very special and everything has been well thought out. It is so connected to dancing, which of course makes it very special to us.

“When you think of our dancing, we think of our feet. It’s the foundation and it’s very special to be able to wear these beautiful shoes and show that they do what we do best in the movement.

‘At the same time it is connected to the fashion side through the dancing and vice versa, it is so beautifully knotted.’

• The “Let’s Dance” occasional campaign starring Nadiya and Kai will launch on April 18, 2023