Dan Walker thinks Nadiya Bychkova deserves a bigger role (Picture: BBC/Guy Levy)

Dan Walker is ‘gutted’ Nadiya Bychkova hasn’t been assigned a partner for this year’s Strictly Come Dancing.

The former BBC Breakfast presenter was paired with the pro dancer in 2021 and finished in fifth place, and he has compared the snub to the idea of Argentina not playing Lionel Messi in a World Cup final.

Sharing photos of them together on Instagram, he praised the lineup for the upcoming series but admitted he wishes Nadiya – who danced with Matt Goss last year – had a bigger role to play.

He wrote: ‘Strictly is such an amazing show and it’s almost time for the new series… what a great line-up this year 🎯

‘All the pros are great but gutted to hear that @nadiyabychkova hasn’t got a partner. I’m sure she’s still looking forward to being part of the biggest show on TV but it feels a bit like putting Messi on the bench for the World Cup final! 🤯

‘She is so talented, the best teacher anyone could hope for, a top class lobster and… she’s the Yorkshire Barmaid!’

Dan and Nadiya were paired together on the show in 2021 (Picture: BBC/Guy Levy)

He added that he and his family are still looking forward to tuning in, and they’re ‘all about the A Team’ when it comes to the celebrities, backing Angela Rippon, Angela Scanton, Adam Thomas, Annabel Croft and Amanda Abbington.

He continued: ‘It is an incredible show to be on and the whole team are amazing. I hope all the celebs enjoy it and we are all about the A Team in our house… the 2 Angela’s, Amanda, Adam and Annabel 🪩 How about you?’

Nadiya won’t be paired with any of this year’s celebrities (Picture: BBC Studios/Ray Burmiston)

Dan’s comments about Nadiya’s snub come after reports the dancer – who is in a relationship with fellow pro Kai Widdrington – is ‘seething’ after missing out on a celebrity pairing this year, which means she will only be part of the group routines.

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.’

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Meanwhile, Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman are returning as hosts, while Craig Revel Horwood, Shirley Ballas, Motsi Mabuse, and Anton Du Beke will be back on the judging panel.

Strictly Come Dancing returns to BBC One and iPlayer on Saturday, September 16 at 6:35pm.

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He’s not happy!