Strictly's Kai Widdrington delivers 'honest' verdict as BBC snub angers fans

Kai Widdrington has delivered an 'honest' verdict on not being given a celebrity partner for the new series of Strictly Come Dancing, admitting that he's been left disappointed by the decision, as many fans complain on his behalf.

Since joining the Strictly family in 2021, Kai, son of former goalkeeper Tommy Widdrington, has established himself as a big favourite amongst fans of the BBC show and was in with a shot of winning in his first series, as he and TV presenter AJ Odudu made it all the way to the final, only for disaster to strike when she picked up a painful injury in rehearsals.

Since then Kai's time in the Strictly ballroom has resulted in mixed fortunes, with him and partner Kaye Adams eliminated first in 2022, before he bounced back a few months later by winning that year's Christmas special. And then last year, he was one half of one of the most talked about couples, as he formed a partnership with broadcasting legend Angela Rippon, as she became the show's oldest ever contestant.

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Everyone assumed that Kai would have a celebrity partner this year but, while he is on the Strictly 2024 pro line-up, on Saturday night, he was nowhere to be seen as this year's celebs found out who they'd be dancing with. Many fans were left furious by the 'snub' at Kai's expense, with X quickly full of complaswintys.

And now he has spoken out, to reveal how the decision left him feeling. Speaking to the Daily Star, Kai said: "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." He added: "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."

Kai wasn't the only Strictly pro to be left out in the cold when it came to the couples being decided, with Carlos Gu and Lauren Oakley also missing out.