Nadiya Bychkova may not have a partner on this year’s Strictly Come Dancing (Picture: BBC/PA Wire)
Nadiya Bychkova reportedly doesn’t have a celebrity dance partner on this year’s Strictly Come Dancing, and now the ‘reason’ has been revealed.
Although, the Strictly couples aren’t officially revealed until Saturday’s debut show, a spoiler website has let the cat out of the bag.
According to the leak, Nadiya has been left on the bench, which shocked fans and former partner Dan Walker.
‘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! 🤯,’ he wrote.
Since Nadiya, 34, joined in 2017, she has also been partnered with stars Matt Goss, Davood Ghadami, Lee Ryan, and David James. The last time Nadiya wasn’t given a partner was in 2020.
According to reports, the Ukrainian dancer – who is in a relationship with fellow pro, Kai Widdrington – was left ‘fuming’ by the choice.
Bobby could have been a height match for Nadiya (Picture: BBC/Ray Burmiston)
Now, the real reason for the snub has seemingly been revealed, and it’s down to a mixture of age, height, and chemistry.
At 5’8, she would have been taller than many of the male celebrities, especially once she put on heels.
‘She would have towered over seven out of the eight male celebrities in the competition,’ explained a TV Insider.
Nadiya was partnered with Dan in 2021 (Picture: PA)
Bobby Brazier, who stands at 6’2, could have been perfect.
They continued to The Sun: ’On the basis of height, it was expected that they would form a duo on this series.
‘But bosses felt there was something odd about the fact that the particularly fresh-faced Bobby only turned 20 this summer, while Nadiya is a mature woman.’
Dianne could be partnered with Bobby (Picture: PA)
The source added that it’s down to more than an age gap, and instead about appearances: ‘So long as they both have the same boy or girl-next-door look, it works’.
This could explain why Bobby is possibly with Dianne Buswell, who is the same age as Nadiya. Metro.co.uk spotted the pair chatting and dancing together at the National Television Awards, which could indicate a partnership.
Audiences have to ‘believe the chemistry between dance partners’, they concluded.
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It’s a mixture of reasons.