Strictly’s Kai Widdrington seen for the FIRST time since split from co-star Nadiya Bychkova as he puts on a brave face and dresses up to promote upcoming panto in Liverpool

Strictly’s Kai Widdrington has been seen for the first time since his split from fellow show dancer Nadiya Bychkova promoting a pantomime in Liverpool on Friday.

The 28-year-old put on a brave face, donning his Captain Hook costume and posing alongside his fellow actors, who will take to the stage at the city’s M and S Bank Arena this Christmas.

MailOnline confirmed that the former couple, who both star in the BBC series, split in June after two years, at the end of their lucrative Behind the Magic tour.

Kai looked unrecognizable in his elaborate stage costume with golden skulls and a fake moustache, portraying the magical adventure of Peter Pan’s villain.

The Strictly star confidently posed in character, holding up his hook hand while also branding a sword.

The show’s ‘golden couple’ reportedly drifted ‘further apart emotionally’, leading to their shock split after two tearful couples shared a photo together.

It has now been reported that the pair have been struggling with off-stage issues during their tour, and the pressure of Because they were on each other’s lips 24/7, their relationship eventually began to ‘deteriorate’.

A friend of Kai and Nadiya, 33, told The sun: ‘It’s heartbreaking. Kai and Nadiya seemed like the most perfect couple and are so, so blissfully in love.

‘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.

‘They had been drifting emotionally for a while, and during the tour – ironically called Behind The Magic – it came to a head. That was of course hugely problematic.’

Kai and Nadiya mutually decided to call it quits “after a difficult few weeks” once their tour ended, the source added.

MailOnline has contacted Kai and Nadiya’s representatives for comment.

On Thursday, The Ny Breaking also revealed that Nadiya has spoken to Strictly bosses to complain about the show, as the crisis within the show continues to deepen.

Nadiya reached out to the Corporation’s leaders on Wednesday evening and was quickly invited for a one-on-one meeting to discuss her concerns.

She was said to be ‘angry’ about matters surrounding the Saturday night dance show and was keen to discuss them with the BBC as they continued their investigation into Amanda Abbington’s claims that Giovanni Pernice bullied her during rehearsals, claims Pernice strenuously denies.

Sources now say the crisis is “getting worse by the day” as more and more claims and accusations are made about Strictly, the BBC’s crown jewel for 20 years.

One told the Mail: ‘Nadiya got in touch out of the blue and wanted to speak to the bosses. They now take any murmur of complaint seriously, so she was asked straight away.

“She’s been in the program for a number of years, so she’s seen and possibly experienced a lot of unpleasant behavior. She’s worked with a lot of people.

‘It’s getting really serious now, it’s a mess and it’s getting worse by the day.

‘This is now the third complaint about some problem in the program. It came as a surprise, but with the investigation into Giovanni Pernice still ongoing, it has opened up the possibility for others to complain, who perhaps would not have done so before.

‘There seem to be some very unhappy people on Strictly. Now there are fears about where this will end, literally nobody knows.’

Despite reports that the split has been amicable, friends of Nadiya and Kay told the publication that they are “no longer on friendly terms” and fear that this will lead to a chilly atmosphere when the new series starts in September.

Nadiya, 33, who was previously engaged to Slovenian footballer Matija Škarabot, 36, was in attendance Wimbledon alone last week, while Kai visited friends and family in the United States.

Ukrainian dancer Nadiya was supposed to attend the Police Bravery Awards on July 11 with Kai, but he ended up going alone.

Organisers of the party, which took place at the Royal Lancaster Hotel last Thursday, had expected Nadiya and Kai to attend as a couple, but were surprised when the mother-of-one failed to show up.

A source revealed: ‘Kai and Nadiya were due to be the big celebrities at the event, so organisers were shocked when they pulled out at the last minute.

‘Her place name was on the table, everyone was expecting her. Kai brought a male friend instead and looked dejected, he was not his usual cheerful self. Something was clearly on his mind.

‘A random guest brought him some tequila shots to his table, which he drank in an attempt to cheer him up. But he was clearly feeling incredibly lethargic after the split.’

Nadiya started dating Kai in 2022, but the couple kept their romance a secret from Strictly fans for months.

Last year they were still living apart and admitted they found it ‘difficult’ to maintain their romance under the watchful eyes of their fans.

In January 2022, MailOnline revealed that Nadiya had split from her fiancé Matija, with whom she has a seven-year-old daughter Mila.

A friend close to the couple told The Sun: “It’s heartbreaking. Kai and Nadiya seemed like the most perfect couple and are so, so happily in love.

‘But the pressure of touring – being in each other’s place 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 couple’s romance began after Kai had an affair with his former celebrity partner AJ Odudu, on the same Strictly season that Nadiya danced with former BBC presenter Dan Walker.

They share an English Bulldog, Snoopy, and Kai has previously spoken glowingly about his close bond with Nadiya’s daughter.

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 revealed the new nickname she has for him, which he says has changed since he last appeared on the show.

He said, “She’s 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 duo, who toured with Strictly Come Dancing Live! after wrapping up the 2023 BBC One series, then toured the country with Behind the Magic.

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.