Updated 17th July 2024
Strictly Come Dancing Finalist 2023
From Ukraine to Italy to Elstree, Nikita Kuzmin’s geared up for his 3rd year on Strictly
Nikita is a Six-time’s Italian Latin and Ballroom National Champion and former ‘Let’s Dance’ Germany pro.
In 2023 Nikita partnered film and theatre actor Layton Williams all the way to the Grand Final
Nikita Kuzmin latest news – 25th March 2024 – Nikita achieved second place in ITV Celebrity Big Brother
Layton and Nikita wowed us with their amazing moves and resilience throughout the whole series, they are an incredible team and didn’t fail to impress in the final. Starting out with their Quickstep from week 2. The improvements were phenomenal and earned them another perfect score! We all wish we had a friend like Nikita if he can teach those moves. Their Show Dance was spectacular, a true look into the real Layton. Finally, a reprise of their Argentine Tango. Motsi thanked Layton for a wonderful series saying “we’ve never had a dancer like you”. Another perfect score for the couple in a sensational final.
In 2022 Nikita partnered Paralympic swimming champion Ellie Simmonds. Nikita and Ellie were “Too Darn Hot” with their sassy Charleston in week 7. Although it was filled with lifts & tricks it wasn’t enough to keep them in the competition.
In 2021 Nikita partnered budding chef & daughter of Gordon Ramsey, Tilly Ramsay.
Learn all about Nikita Kuzmin’s amazing dancing career, dance partners, relationships, awards, photos, facts, age, height, and read her latest news, announcements and tours below
Who better to teach you to dance than Strictly Superstars Nikita Kuzmin and Jowita Przystal? You can meet the stars, learn their steps and be captivated as they perform a spectacular dance showcase up close & personal.
⭐ Join Aljaz Skorjanec, Janette Manrara, Jowita Przystal, Nikita Kuzmin, Nadiya Bychkova, Kai Widdrington, British Dance Champion Finalists David Cockram & Rosie Ward, Argentine Tango Instructors Stars Letitia & Andres The Tony Greenwood 15-piece Big Band
⭐ Join BAFTA Award Winner Giovanni Pernice, Strictly Stars Jowita Przystal, Nikita Kuzmin, Katya Jones, Nadiya Bychkova plus more to be announced, British, European & World 10 Dance Champions Glenn & Caroly Boyce, Former World Professional Ballroom Champions Warren & Kristi Boyce, Argentine Tango Stars Leandro Palou & Maria Tsiatsiani, and The Tony Greenwood 15-piece Big Band ⭐
26 years old. Born December 23, 1997
Nikita stands at 1.8m tall
Nikita was born in the Ukraine, before leaving there when he was 9 years old when his family moved to Italy to support his sister Anastasia Kuzimina’s dancing career. It seems that dancing is in the genes!
In 2023 Nikita is partnered with film and theatre actor Layton Williams
Layton Williams is a film and theatre actor and has performed in London’s West End, with performances such as the title role in Billy Elliot and Everyone’s Talking About Jamie. His stage shows also include Thriller Live, Rent, Hairspray and New Adventures.
He is best known on TV for playing Stephen Carmichael in the Bad Education movie and recently rebooted series. Other TV features include Beautiful People, Benidorm, The Cleaner, and I Hate Suzie. Layton is also the voice over artist for the U.K’s first gay dating show, I Kissed a Boy on BBC.
Running his own performing arts company ‘Pros from the Shows’ with hopes to inspire the next generation of performers, over the years he has been the recipient of multiple Black British Theatre Awards, plus an Attitude Award for his work and visibility in the LGBTQ+ community.
On joining Strictly, Layton said: “Absolutely buzzing to confirm that I will be taking part in THE most iconic dance competition in the UK! It’s time to bring it to the Ballroom. So excited to learn new skills from the best. Bring on the sequins… ALL the sequins!”
Nikita and Layton slowed it down in Movie Week with a Viennese Waltz to There Are Worse Things I Can do, the iconic song that sees Grease’s Rizzo show her softer side – a perfect parallel for the energetic Layton.
Wow! Scoring the first 39 in week 5 for 13 years, these guys are setting the standard high! A spectacular Salsa to Quimbara – Craig said it was “A-may-zing!” and Shirley gave it an A-star!
Nikita and Layton wowed the judges with their Argentine Tango to Tattoo in week 8. Just one mark off a perfect score (come on Craig) saw them topping the leader board. With judges comments “breathtaking” “extraordinary” and “beyond perfection” – What a performance!
Nikita and Layton live to dance another week after their American Smooth to It’s Oh So Quiet landed them in the week 10 dance off. As always the storytelling was exquisite but the hold & footwork needed a little finesse.
Our first perfect score of 40 was awarded to Layton and Nikita in musicals week. Following the previous weeks dance off they returned with a powerful Paso Doble to Moulin Rouge Backstage Romance. Taking Craig straight back to his time dancing with the Moulin Rouge.
Nikita and Layton wowed the judges once again with their semi-final performances. First up a slow, sultry Rumba to Lift Me Up. Filled with emotion and the highest scoring Rumba this season. Earning another perfect score for their Charleston, Craig started with a standing ovation and said “the best Charleston I’ve seen in 20 years, darling” and Shirley described them as “dance royalty”. A well deserved place in the final for these two!
In October 2023 Nikita confirmed he is in a relationship with model girlfriend Lauren Jaine.
Previously Nikita was dating his dance partner Nicole Wirt, who is based in Frankfurt, Germany. The couple danced together for a number of years as a partnership, competing around Europe. In October 2022 the couple split after five years of dating, with reports claiming Nikita wanted to “totally focus” on the current series of Strictly.
Six-time’s Italian Latin and Ballroom National Champion and former ‘Let’s Dance’ Germany pro.
We’ll let you know next time we speak with him!
The fabulous Jowita Prystal is partnering Nikita at Donaheys 2024 Weekend Breaks.
Nikita joined the Strictly family in 2021.
On joining Strictly, Nikita Kuzmin said: “I’ve always been amazed by the magic Strictly Come Dancing brings. No matter what country I have found myself living in, I’ve never missed a chance to watch it. And joining it as a professional dancer is my big chance to make some magic on the most famous dance floor. I can’t wait to give it my all!”
Nikita’s dance partners on Strictly include; Paralympic swimming champion Ellie Simmonds, Budding chef & Tik Tok star Tilly Ramsay
Not yet.
Yes, Nikita suffered an unfortunate wardrobe malfunction in the 2022 series
The dancer performed a Paso Doble to The Apprentice theme song (Sergei Prokofiev’s ‘Montagues and Capulets’) alongside his celebrity partner Ellie Simmonds, but seemingly went missing from the studio for a short while afterwards.
Nikita revealed “Just ripped my pants because of the paso,So had to get them sewn for the 3rd time!”
Find out more about Nikita’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.
Find out all about Nikita Kuzmin Tour Strictly Professionals
strictlytheprofessionals.com
Learn more about all your favourite Strictly Pro’s here;
– Aljaz Skorjanec
– Amy Dowden
– Dianne Buswell
– Gorka Marquez
– 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
Learn more about all the Strictly Judges here;
– Anton du Beke
– Shirley Ballas
– Motsi Mabuse
– Craig Revel Horwood