Strictly’s Shirley Ballas appears to confirm tour romance rumours – following claims Nadiya Bychkova and Kai Widdrington are dating
Strictly judge Shirley Ballas weighed in on romance rumours surrounding the current show tour as she was quizzed about the claims on Tuesday’s Lorraine.
Earlier this month, MailOnline exclusively revealed that Nadiya Bychkova had split from her fiancé last year, and the Slovenian dancer is now said to be dating fellow pro Kai Widdrington.
Probed on rumours of secret tour romances, 61-year-old Shirley coyly alluded to tour romances but insisted that it ‘wasn’t her place to say’.
Coy: Strictly’s Shirley Ballas appeared to confirm tour romance rumours amid claims Nadiya Bychkova and Kai Widdrington are dating, as she appeared on Tuesday’s episode of Lorraine
Lorraine Kelly, 62, probed: ‘I’m just wondering if you’re being sort of Auntie Shirley with all of this…. the romances… what’s going on? Everybody’s having a very nice time!’
To which Shirley responded: ‘You know, romancing and dancing; things you know…I don’t really know what’s going on to be honest.
‘It’s not my place to say who’s what, where and when. There’s always rumours you know that Lorraine.’
Her coy comments come after sources said Kai, 26, and Nadiya, 32, are ‘very much together’ and have ‘been dating for months’.
The pair are said have ‘grown close’ in the wake of Nadiya’s split from her fiancé Matija Škarabot.
Hot new couple? Earlier this month, MailOnline exclusively revealed that Nadiya Bychkova had split from her fiancé and she is now said to be dating fellow pro Kai Widdrington
The duo were also spotted headed into a hotel together 15 minutes after their Strictly co-stars and put on a tactile display, with Kai brushing his hand against mother-of-one Nadiya’s.
An onlooker told The Sun: ‘Kai and Nadiya didn’t seem at all secretive about their relationship – they’re a couple like any other.’
Another added: ‘Kai was outside the hotel for about 15 minutes and waited until everyone else in the touring party had checked in — but Nadiya came along a short while later.’
The paper adds that ‘Nadiya and Matija actually separated months ago’ and footballer Matija is ‘furious’ about recent reports concerning their love life.
Lorraine probed: ‘I’m just wondering if you’re being sort of Auntie Shirley with all of this…. the romances… what’s going on? Everybody’s having a very nice time!’
Shirley said: ‘You know, romancing and dancing; things you know…I don’t really know what’s going on to be honest. ‘It’s not my place to say who’s what, where and when’
Last week, The Sun claimed Nadiya – who has been seen without her engagement ring on in recent days – and Kai’s behaviour has been ‘raising eyebrows’ behind-the-scenes.
A source told the publication: ‘Nadiya is incredibly flirty and it has certainly raised eyebrows.’
The newspaper also claims that the pair enjoyed a dinner together in Birmingham during the tour earlier this week.
An onlooker claims they headed to a bar and chatted for two hours before heading back to the hotel.
Separation: The dancer is single after ending her engagement to Slovenian footballer Matija, 33, as exclusively revealed by MailOnline this month
Nadiya has been immersing herself in intense rehearsals for the tour, after her celebrity partner from last year’s series, Dan Walker, 44, became ‘pillar of strength and support’ after her break-up.
The dancer is single after ending her engagement to Slovenian footballer Matija, 33, as exclusively revealed by MailOnline this month.
It was also revealed her partner on the 2021 series, BBC Breakfast host Dan, had been there for her during the split.
Sources close to the stunning dancer revealed that she has been confiding in Dan after accepting the fact that her long-distance relationship with Matija was no longer working.
Dan has been married to wife Sarah for 21 years and the couple have three children.
One source told MailOnline: ‘Dan and Nadiya have such a great bond and he has been a pillar of strength and support for her following the breakup with Matija.
‘The bond between them started during Strictly, leaving the cast and crew surprised at how close they became. They were literally inseparable and got on so well and this has continued even now the series is over.’
Another source added: ‘Dan supported Nadiya with everything, including her breakup, which only made their partnership stronger.
‘He even grew close to her mother and daughter, who really enjoyed watching them dance together on Strictly.
‘Dan and Nadiya enjoy a deep and special bond, which has really helped her to get on with her new life following the split.’
Close: Nadiya has been immersing herself in the tour after her celebrity partner from last year’s series, Dan Walker, 44, became ‘pillar of strength and support’ after her break-up
Source: Read Full Article