Yahoo News Strictly’s Kai Widdrington sets new Guinness World Record
Strictly Come Dancing star Kai Widdrington set a new Guinness World Record in the 2024 Pro Challenge.
The annual competition, the results of which are delivered on spin-off show It Takes Two, sees the various Strictly professionals aim to perform as many repetitions of a dance step in 30 seconds, with the victor setting a record in the process.
This year’s challenge saw the group tasked with performing a Time Step from the cha-cha-cha, with judge Craig Revel Horwood and adjudicator Will Munford overseeing the contestants as they cast a firm eye on each attempt.
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In Thursday’s (December 5) episode of It Takes Two, Kai and Neil Jones were welcomed into the studio by host Janette Manrara, with the aim of beating the previous mark of 14 steps, which was set by Nadiya Bychkova.
After an anxious wait, it was revealed that both had completed 15 steps, with Kai prevailing by virtue of the fact that one of Neil’s steps had been disqualified, moving him down to second place in the leaderboard for the third consecutive year.
“It feels good. I might retire early because I feel it doesn’t get much better than that,” said Kai following his triumph. “I’m gutted [for all my fellow professionals]. I feel so bad, but I’m very happy. Thank you Mum and Dad, all my family. Thank you for everything.”
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The win comes after Kai missed out on dancing with a partner this series, but he has been seen in some of the professional numbers that air during the results show.
Speaking about his absence, 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. Let’s see what happens next year. Hopefully, I’ll get one then."
Strictly Come Dancing airs on Saturdays on BBC One, while spin-off Strictly: It Takes Two airs on weeknights on BBC Two. Both shows are available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
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