Get to know Strictly Come Dancing star Kai Widdrington. Plus, discover a unique opportunity to enjoy a 5* star weekend break dancing alongside Kai and other Strictly professionals.
Updated 7th March 2024
In 2023, the spotlight shines brighter on Kai Widdrington, a name synonymous with stellar performances on BBC’s Strictly.
His journey from the finals in 2021 to the sprightly steps in 2023 alongside the distinguished journalist and TV icon Angela Rippon CBE.
On joining Strictly, Angela said: “Having been a fan of Strictly since day one, and as a former presenter of Come Dancing, this will be quite an adventure for me.”
Kai Widdrington latest news – Kai and Angela became the next couple to leave the competition after an elegant American Smooth at Blackpool Tower Ballroom. As the competition was heating up a few mistakes meant the end of the road for Kai and Angela, we’ll miss them from the competition.
In 2022 Kai partnered with Loose Women TV Presenter and Journalist Kaye Adams. Kai and Kaye were sadly the first to leave Strictly Come Dancing – in week 2 they received just 22 points for their Charleston.
In Kai’s first year on Strictly, he partnered with TV presenter AJ Odudu all the way to the final.
Before Strictly, Kai showcased his prowess on Dancing With The Stars Ireland and swayed through to the quarter-finals of Britain’s Got Talent with the dance troupe Kings & Queens.
But did you know that Kai chose a career in dancing over one in football? And boy are we glad he did!
Learn all about Kai Widdrington’s amazing dancing career, dance partners, news and tours below, and don’t miss your opportunity to dance with Kai on a 5 Star weekend break
Who better to teach you to dance than Strictly Professionals Kai Widdrington & dance partner Nadiya Bychkova.
Not only can you learn to dance with these amazing professional dancers but you’ll hear all the back stage gossip, plus see them perform their stunning dance showcase for you up close and personal.
Spend the weekend with your favourite stars of Strictly Come Dancing at the stunning 5* Celtic Manor Resort in South Wales
Join Gorka & Karen, Kai & Nadiya, Janette & Aljaz, Katya, Leandro & Maria, Glenn & Caroly, Warren & Kristi plus The Tony Greenwood 15-piece Big Band.
28 years old (born 23rd August 1995)
Kai stands at 1.88m tall
Southampton, England – yay!
Award-winning journalist and TV presenter Angela Rippon CBE
Anglea’s career spans over 50 years, having presented a wide variety of programmes, from hard news and current affairs to quiz shows and magazine programmes, for broadcasters across the world.
Angela currently presents BBC’s Rip-Off Britain and is a regular on Morning Live and The One Show. She presented the original Come Dancing between 1988 – 1991 and has fronted shows such as Top Gear, Antiques Roadshow, The Holiday Programme, Crufts, How to Stay Young and The Truth About Dementia, to name a few.
In 2004 she was awarded an OBE in recognition of her services to Broadcasting, Charity and the Arts. In the 2017 New Year Honours Angela was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for services to dementia care.
On joining Strictly Angela said: “Having been a fan of Strictly since day one, and as a former presenter of Come Dancing, this will be quite an adventure for me. A scary one, considering I’m about to be 79. But I’m really looking forward to the challenge, and perhaps being able to learn to dance the Argentinian Tango!,”
In week 2 Kai and Angela wowed us with their fabulous Foxtrot. Kai clearly makes Angela feel so young as he guides her around the dance floor with ease. Joint second in week 2 with a total score of 31.
Kai and Angela enjoyed wonderful comments from the judges in week 4. They did indeed Rise Like a Phoenix with a gorgeous, elegant Rumba. Angela turned 79 last Thursday – celebrations all around.
A rare treat as Craig scores the highest on the panel during Halloween week. Impressed with Angela and Kai’s “Swivel masterclass” otherwise known as a Charleston, to Murder She Wrote Theme.
Kai and Angela found themselves in the dance off in week 7. We watched with “Fascination” as the couple Waltzed their way around the dance floor. Although the judges felt it was classic and elegant they would like to see a little more risk in the choreography.
Week 8 Kai and Angela found themselves in the dance off again, but Angela will be returning to Blackpool where she hosted Come Dancing back in the day. Saved by 3 of the 4 judges Kai and Angela’s Paso Doble earned them their place, we are definitely Hung Up on them!
Kai is partnering with his girlfriend, the fabulous Nadiya Bychkova at Donahey’s 5* Weekend Breaks in 2023 – and we can’t wait!
World Junior Latin American Champion 2010. In 2012 Kai reached the final of the sixth series of Britain’s Got Talent with dance troupe Kings & Queens.
We’ll let you know next time we speak to him.
Really? Kai is in a relationship with professional dance partner Nadiya Bychkova.
In October 2022 Kai and his girlfriend Nadiya announced a new addition to their family – having adopted a bulldog. They have released photos of their new bulldog named Snoopy, and they’ve even given him his own Instagram page!
Kai officially joined the Strictly family in 2021, having been involved in most of the group numbers in 2020.
Between 2017 – 20220 Kai was a professional on Ireland’s Dancing With The Stars for 4 years, reaching the final twice.
On joining Strictly, Kai Widdrington said: “This is my childhood dream come true. Watching Strictly from the very first series as a young boy from Southampton and now 18 years later, to be a professional dancer on the show is the most amazing feeling and the biggest accomplishment of my career. I can’t wait to step onto the Strictly floor and experience the exciting times that lie ahead.”
Kai’s dance partners on Strictly include; Coronation Street actress Alexandra Mardell, Loose Women TV Presenter and Journalist Kaye Adams, The Voice TV presenter AJ Odudu
Kai was crowned 2022 Strictly Christmas Champion with partner Coronation Street actress Alexandra Mardell.
In 2021 Kai made it to the 2021 Strictly Final with AJ Odudu. Sadly AJ and Kai’s journey came to an abrupt ending the day before the Final, due to AJ suffering a torn ligament.
Strictly Come Dancing professional Kai has a famous footballing dad – Tommy Widdrington
Newcastle-born footballer turned coach Tommy started his career at the famous Wallsend Boys’ Club, the same side Magpies legend Alan Shearer played for.
Tommy then earned a professional contract at Southampton, where he played alongside Shearer and Matt Le Tissier, before being snapped up by Grimsby for a then-club-record fee of £300,000 in 1996.
What’s the most important thing in Kai’s life? Golf of course…
Find out more about Kai’s dancing profile on his official BBC Strictly Come Dancing profile page.
Find out more information about the BBC TV programme Strictly Come Dancing
by checking out the BBC Strictly Come Dancing website
www.bbc.co.uk/strictlycomedancing
Donahey’s Dance Lessons & UK Weekend Breaks are not associated with the BBC.
See Nadiya Bychkova & Kai Widdrington in Behind The Magic 2024 tour
www.nadiyaandkai.com/
Widdrington & Bychkova’s 25-date tour will begin at Gateshead’s Sage venue on June 1 2024 and end at Southampton’s Mayflower Theatre on June 30.
Learn more about all your favourite Strictly Pro’s here;
– Aljaz Skorjanec
– Amy Dowden
– Dianne Buswell
– Giovanni Pernice
– Gorka Marquez
– Graziano di Prima
– Janette Manrara
– Johannes Radebe
– Jowita Przystal
– Kai Widdrington
– Karen Hauer
– Katya Jones
– Luba Mushtuk
– Nadiya Bychkova
– Nancy Xu
– Neil Jones
– Nikita Kuzmin
– Jowita Przystal
– Lauren Oakley
– Oti Mabuse
Learn more about all the Strictly Judges here;
– Anton du Beke
– Shirley Ballas
– Motsi Mabuse
– Craig Revel Horwood