Professional dancer Nikita Kuzmin has released a statement in response to the recent development that his celebrity partner Dani Dyer will no longer be participating in this season of Strictly Come Dancing. Dani made the decision to withdraw from the show earlier this week due to an injury sustained during rehearsals.
The announcement came out yesterday that Love Island winner Dani, aged 29, will not be able to continue on the BBC dance competition after suffering an injury while preparing for the show. She expressed her disappointment about the situation, just days before the scheduled first live show of the new season.
During the pre-recorded launch episode over the weekend, the pairings for the latest series were revealed. It was disclosed that Dani was paired with Nikita, who is 27 years old. Upon meeting her dance partner, Dani expressed her excitement, stating, “I’m so happy. I literally am in shock.”
Following Dani’s departure from Strictly, Nikita shared a message on Instagram with behind-the-scenes photos, expressing his disappointment at ending their journey prematurely. He mentioned the fun and laughter they shared and hoped for a future opportunity to participate in the show together.
The BBC confirmed Dani’s exit from the competition, citing a fractured ankle as the reason for her withdrawal. Dani explained that the injury occurred during rehearsals, preventing her from continuing on the show. She conveyed her sadness about not being able to dance with Nikita but assured her support for the other contestants.
Sarah James, the executive producer at BBC Studios, expressed sadness over Dani’s situation, praising her enthusiasm and partnership with Nikita. She extended well wishes for Dani’s recovery and hinted at the possibility of her return in the future.
The news generated reactions on social media, with colleagues and fellow professionals sending messages of support to Dani and Nikita. Judges from Strictly, including Shirley Ballas and Motsi Mabuse, expressed their sympathy and wished Dani a speedy recovery.
The new season of Strictly Come Dancing will continue with its live shows on Saturday night at 6.55 pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
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