Strictly Come Dancing star Kai Widdrington may not be paired up with someone this year, but he's still very much involved. The professional dancers who aren't assigned a partner will usually still appear on the show and take part in all of the group dances, and it looks like Kai was just as excited as he would've been with a partner.
The excitement all became too much for Kai and it resulted in him injuring himself with a bonk on the head - but most people wouldn't have caught it. It's only hours later, with Kai watching it back the following day, that the injury came to light, with Kai cheekily asking his followers "anyone see?"
Kai shared a clip to his Instagram of cheers from the crowd as he eagerly bounced in the air with excitement. However, in the midst of it all, Kai banged his head on the glitterball and could be seen rubbing the top afterwards as someone next to him checked in. Luckily he didn't seem in bad spirits as he continued smiling as excitement from the contestants and the crowd burst through.
Kai Widdrington has delighted his fans after a 'life' update following his Strictly Come Dancing 'snub'. The dancer isn't competing in the BBC One dance contest this year after not being given a celebrity dance partner. Strictly viewers were left gutted by the news but he wasn't alone as Lauren Oakley and Carlos Gu also missed out on being part of the main competition this year. While fans won't be competing with one of the new celebrities in the 2024 series, which marks the hit show's 20th anniversary, they will still very much be part of the series - and the 'Strictly Family' - and will appear in various dancers throughout the current season.
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Following the launch of the new series, Kai told the Daily Star: "Everyone wants to get a celebrity. Unfortunately, it wasn’t my time this series. Two boys couldn’t have one this series and sadly I am one of them. "Some of us don’t get partners and that’s the way it is." The 29-year-old added of his hopes for future series: "Let’s see what happens next year. Hopefully, I’ll get one then."
Then ahead of the first live show, Kai showed his support for her Strictly colleagues. He shared a promo snap of himself all suited and booted ready for the latest Strictly run to get underway and alongside the beaming photo, he wrote to his fans and followers: "Looking forward to another FABULOUS season of @bbcstrictly strictly this year - wishing all my fellow pros and their partners all the very best.. Can’t wait to take to the floor with some amazing music acts and group numbers. Keeeep dancing."
Now, Kai has shared another smiling snap to social media as he was seen reuniting with Tyler West, who starred in last year's series of Strictly. Captioning the post, the dancer penned: "Smile and laugh. Life’s way too short." And his fans and followers were quick to respond. @rupsidupsi26 said:" So true Kai life is too short be happy and enjoy every moment." @mznikki84 commented: "And a smile looks good on you!" @kai_strictlyx wrote: "This is sooo trueee. So good to see you happy and smiling Kai. We love you."
@mariehoward1941 replied: "Beautiful smile miss you on the floor dancing." @lynnebennet99 shared: "You're the best, keep smiling." @fanny_lane52 posted: "It certainly is way too short. Lovely see you smiling." @iamsherrylsinclair added: "You're SO right Kai! Thanks for brightening my feed with your sparkling smile!"
Kai Widdrington was left feeling disappointed when he discovered he wouldn’t be part of the main competition on Strictly Come Dancing this year. The British dancer is one of three Strictly pros who don’t have a celebrity partner on the current series, as viewers discovered during last week’s pre-recorded launch show.
Speaking to the Daily Star, Kai shared: “Everyone wants to get a celebrity. Unfortunately it wasn’t my time this series. “Two boys couldn’t have one this series and sadly I am one of them. Some of us don’t get partners and that’s the way it is.” He added: “Let’s see what happens next year. Hopefully I’ll get one then.”
As well as Kai, Carlos Gu and Lauren Oakley have also been benched this year, but remain part of Strictly’s troupe of professionals, and will continue to appear in group routines over the course of the series. This year marks Kai’s first year without a partner, having previously been paired up with Big Brother host AJ Odudu, Loose Women anchor Kaye Adams and TV personality Angela Rippon. He joined Strictly in 2021, having previously been a pro on the Irish version of the show, Dancing With The Stars. Kai did already have a Strictly connection, though, as he once lived with former professional Giovanni Pernice while the Italian dancer was still part of the show.
Back in 2022, he and fellow Strictly pro Nadiya Bychkova made headlines when it was revealed they were in a relationship, although they were reported to have split up earlier this year. All 15 of this year’s Strictly pairings have spent the last week rehearsing for the first live show of the series, which is due to air on Saturday night on BBC One.
