BBC Breakfast’s Dan Walker all smiles as he gets cosy with Strictly’s Nadiya Bychkova

Oti Mabuse for the latest season of Strictly Come Dancing, explained how news about presenter AJ Odudu and her professional partner Kai Widdrington had left him “devastated” in an exclusive interview with Express.co.uk.The rugby star, 38, has teamed up with Boots UK for the second series of the health and wellbeing podcast Taboo Talk, where he discusses the topic of chronic pain with host Vogue Williams.Ugo admitted to Express.co.uk that, while he had been deeply affected by the incredible routines performed by winners Rose Ayling-Ellis and Giovanni Pernice, he felt unsure of who would win at the time. “It’s so split, as it should be, when I looked at the quality of the final,” he explained. Ugo went on to share how saddened he was to learn that AJ and Kai would be unable to perform. AJ was forced to pull out of the show’s final back in December after she tore a ligament in her right ankle. The injury left her unable to walk at first and, while the star tried to persevere, medical professionals told her that she would not be able to compete. The DJ admitted that she was “deeply upset” at the time, adding that her experience with Kai was something that she would “treasure forever”. “It was a shame that AJ and Kai didn't get their moment,” Ugo said of the incident. “I mean, I was devastated for them, and I'm good friends with AJ. “I knew AJ before the show and I love her,” he added. AJ was due to appear in the live tour of Strictly Come Dancing early on this year, but sadly had to pull out while she is still suffering from her injury.Ugo went on to praise the other Strictly finalists, explaining that it felt like “so much more than dance”. Strictly Come Dancing’s final line-up was arguably the most diverse in the show’s

NADIYA Bychkova has been a busy girl of late with the nationwide Strictly tour and reportedly getting to know new beau Kai Widdrington.   The pro dancer was spotted leaving a hotel in Glasgow today for the latest show, flaunting her rock-hard abs in a teeny crop top despite the drizzly Scottish weather. Pairing the skimpy white top with ripped blue jeans, a black leather jacket, and grey suede boots, she descended steps outside the hotel carrying a huge bag.  The 32-year-old protected her long golden locks from the rain with a cap, smiling sweetly as the paparazzi grabbed a few snaps ahead of one of three dates in the city.  Kai, 26, followed soon after, keeping it casual in a navy sports jacket and trackies - and also fending off the downpour with a cap.  Hot on their heels were Eastenders actress Rose Ayling-Ellis and her partner Giovanni Pernice, as well as TV presenter Tilly Ramsay and Nikita Kuzmin.  Dragon’s Den star and businesswoman Sara Davies and Aljaž Škorjanec came after the two dancing duos.

Tilly Ramsay has been wowing fans every night on the Strictly Come Dancing UK tour, as her dad Gordon supports her from home.

Dan Walker has had his fair share of early starts, waking at the crack of dawn to present BBC Breakfast - and yet fans claim he is yet to show any serious signs of ageing.

Dan Walker has had a light-hearted pop at his BBC Breakfast pal Sally Nugent after she signed up for a dance event without him. The TV presenter recently showed off his moves on the Strictly dance floor.

Katya Jones and Nadiya Bychkova are both currently taking part in the Strictly Come Dancing live tour.

Maisie Smith and Tilly Ramsay have formed a close bond with one another after taking part in the Strictly Come Dancing UK tour. Despite the grueling hours spent in rehearsals, painful injuries obtained from falls and blister-ridden feet from dancing in heels, it’s clear that the pair, both 20, are having the time of their lives together as they travel up and down the country. As they stepped out together in Liverpool - the latest spot on the tour - the duo were spotted wearing matching outfits.

Strictly Come Dancing star Katya Jones is reportedly feuding behind the scenes with fellow professional dancer Nadiya Bychkova following the switch in attention between the women on the show. Katya is said to be “jealous” of Nadiya after she received much media speculation surrounding her suspected romance with other Strictly cast member Kai Widdrington. Having faced the spotlight for better and worse during her time on the BBC dancing competition, the 32 year old is “struggling” with the loss of interest in her according to a source.

STRICTLY'S Nadiya Bychkova and Kai Widdrington were all smiles as they enjoyed a shopping spree around Liverpool together. The couple wore matching leather jackets for the outing and beamed as they walked side by side with Cricket bags during a break from the Strictly tour.

Strictly Come Dancing last year.Tilly is currently taking part in the Strictly tour, and Gordon has rushed to the comments of her latest post to compliment his daughter.Tilly took to Instagram yesterday to share a series of three snaps of herself on the tour.She wore a bedazzled and tasselled silver costume in one image while she donned an elegant gold dress in another.She completed her look by opting for a glamorous makeup look, praising her beautician for her glow up.Tilly wore her blonde tresses in a wavy look with them falling effortlessly past her shoulders.A post shared by Matilda Ramsay (@tillyramsay)The dancer captioned the post in view of her 1.2 million followers: "A few little pics. Loving all the makeup looks from the amazing @lydiabarnesmakeup and amazing hair @fletcherhair!!"Very excited to perform in Liverpool tonight @strictlycomedancinglive."Friends and family alike took to the comments to compliment the Strictly star, with Gordon also adding in.Gordon penned: "Miss ya gorgeous."@tillyramsay hurry up and teach me how to dance! I start Strictly this September..."Social media user Crawfordang.ac said: "Oh wow really, I can’t wait to watch you."You can’t say the ‘F’ word every 5 seconds though.

STRICTLY Come Dancing star Katya Jones is secretly feuding with fellow pro Nadiya Bychkova behind the scenes. Katya, 32, is said be feeling left out in the cold due to the attention being showered on Nadiya following the news of her romance with Kai Widdrington.

WEST end legend Dame Arlene Phillips will join the judging panel of Dancing on Ice - 14 years after she was axed from Strictly Come Dancing. I can reveal the top choreographer, who appeared on last year’s I’m A Celebrity, will be a special guest judge on the ITV show later this month. The one-off appearance of Arlene, 78, will be the first time the programme has had five judges sitting on the panel.

Dan Walker.The Strictly Come Dancing star was paired up with the presenter for the latest series of the show.Nadiya, 32, shared a few snaps from her recent trip to Sheffield with her 134,000 Instagram followers.The dancer was in town for the Strictly Come Dancing Live tour, which she is currently taking part in.Her former dance partner Dan, however, was unable to join the cast on the tour, despite placing fifth in the competition last year.Nonetheless, the pair were united once more when Nadiya met up with Dan, 44, in his hometown of Sheffield.Nadiya posted three pictures, the first of which featured herself standing next to a giant golden statue in the shape of a bear.The next was a picture of Nadiya and Dan sitting in an audience as they bid at the charity auction in aid of Sheffield Children’s NHS.The last photo saw them both standing next to the giant golden bear with another man as they stood with their arms around each other.In the caption, Nadiya wrote: “Farewell beautiful Sheffield.“I was so happy to be able to see the @sheffieldchildrens bear that @mrdanwalker and I bid on at the @bearsofsheffield auction last year.“I learned so much about the charity from Daniel and that was a very special night supporting a cancer ward at the hospital and raising over £500,000.“Thank you to everyone who came to our Sheffield Strictly shows. You were an amazing audience.“Next stop - Liverpool.

Dan Walker, 44, took to Twitter today to respond to the news with his own Strictly Come Dancing snub to help his co-presenter.Burrow Strictly Ball tweeted a video of Rob Burrow revealing who the tenth dancer would be on the show.The caption read: "Our 10th Dancer to take part in the Strictly ball is announced by the man himself @ROb7Burrow!"Thank you @sallynugent and partnered by our good friend @Christoper_Tighe Amazing @BBCBreakfast."Sally replied: "Can't quite believe I'm doing this."But there's only one person who could persuade me.

Nadiya Bychkova and Kai Widdrington reportedly can't "keep their hands off" one another, according to reports. The pair enjoyed a tender and intimate moment as they sat down for a meal together last week. The pair were seen close at a Newcastle hotel restaurant as the BBC Strictly Come Dancing live arena tour continues.

Strictly Come Dancing 2021 winner Rose Ayling-Ellis unfortunately had a fall when she tripped and fell in the river Rivelin in Sheffield during the tour group's second wild swimming outing.The group included Sara Davies, Maisie Williams, Tilly Ramsay, and Rose, along with professional dancers Neil Jones and Nikita Kuzmin. Having headed out into the woods of Sheffield, they found a river to take a dip in, which comes after their first wild swimming trip into the sea up north.This was the first time Rose, 27, who was seen having a great time with friend and dance partner Giovanni Pernice, 31, after one of their tour dates last week, had joined them however, and her debut experience didn't exactly go to plan when she ruined her shoe.

Strictly Come Dancing star John Whaite has left fans swooning over his incredible singing voice in a video on Instagram. The previous Great British Bake Off Winner recorded himself playing his guitar and singing Taylor Swift’s hit song, Lover. The 32 year old captioned the “stunning” performance with: “Lover by Taylor Swift.

Strictly star Nadiya Bychkova might be at the centre of romance rumours at the moment – but she is focused on a brand new passion.MORE: The Strictly Come Dancing couples who survived the so-called curseTaking to Instagram Stories on Wednesday, 32-year-old Nadiya shared a series of snapshots showing her at her very first golf lesson!WATCH: Strictly's Nadiya Bychkova transforms with glam makeover amid romance rumoursDressed casually in black trousers, white trainers and a grey top, she certainly looked ready for action as she was put through her paces.READ: Nadiya Bychkova hints fans should not believe Kai Widdrington rumoursMORE: Nadiya Bychkova breaks silence after she and Kai Widdrington seen kissing"I LOVE GOLF!" Nadiya declared in her caption. "Today I had my first ever lesson with the amazing @benmasongolf at @igolfstudio in Sheffield.A post shared by Nadiya Bychkova (@nadiyabychkova)Nadiya has a newfound love of golf"Thank you partner @mrdanwalker for sorting it out.

Strictly Come Dancing partner Nikita Kuzmin braved the cold temperatures for a swim in Sheffield on Monday.The two were joined by their fellow Strictly cast before making their way to the Utilita Arena. TV personality Sara Davies, who became the eighth contestant to be eliminated from the BBC series during its latest run, posted a clip of Tilly and Nikita swimming together. The 37-year-old, who was sent home after a dance-off with the pair on Strictly, was clearly amused as she watched Tilly screaming the deeper she got in the freezing water. The Tilly’s Kitchen Takeover author held onto Nikita’s hand as they headed for the deep-end, as seen in Sara’s Instagram Story.Sara added a caption to the video, writing: “@tillyramsay’s screaming was absolutely fantastic!“Her and @nikita_kuzmin are just the cutest!”Nikita was bold enough to take the swim wearing nothing but his red shorts while the rest of the Strictly stars decided to keep most of their clothes on. Tilly and Nikita were reunited last week after the latter had tested positive for coronavirus and subsequently had to back out of several tour dates. In a doting Instagram Story, Nikita announced his return to the Strictly shows, starting with their first gig in Leeds’ First Direct Arena.Also in the Story update, Tilly could be seen in the background holding onto her dance partner for dear life as she gushed about his excitement to be back on the road with the cast and crew.“We’re back, back together in Leeds,” Nikita enthused. “We’re ready for you, we’re ready to dance. “I’m finally back, I promise I will not leave anymore.”“She’s not letting go anymore,” the Ukrainian dancer quipped while turning to Tilly whose hands were tightly wrapped around him.Nikita then pointed

Strictly Come Dancing history when she won the latest season.She is currently taking part in the show's tour and suffered a "fall" while she and her co-stars went for a swim in Sheffield prior to last night's performance.Fellow Strictly star Sara Davies took to her Instagram to share a video of Rose and her feet.Rose reposted the video in view of her 546,000 followers.The video starts with Rose's feet in view and she can be seen wearing one red sandal and her white trainer.Sara said: "Whose feet are these? What happened?"Rose replied: "I slipped and fell in the water so I've got a really soaking shoe."Some of the Strictly stars met for a swim, as Reverend Kate Bottley posted a snap.The pictures shows how she went swimming yesterday with Nikita Kuzmin, Tilly Ramsay, Rose, Sara, Neil Jones and Maisie Smith.While taking part in Strictly, Rose has formed a close "connection" with her professional partner Giovanni Pernice.Giovanni took to Instagram on Sunday to joke that he had "swapped" Rose for someone else.In view of his 797,000 followers he posted the selfie video.Giovanni said: "So Newcastle, we got the last show and unfortunately Rose couldn't do the show tonight, for some reason."So, I swapped for somebody else and it's actually one of the ABBA members."The camera then moved to Rose in the background, doing the traditional ABBA dance moves whilst singing the group's hit Dancing Queen.Giovanni then moved the camera back to his face as he repeated: "Where's Rose? Where's Rose?"The Strictly professional told The Sun that he and Rose had bonded from the first day they met in rehearsals.He said: "It's more about the connection. It's been good from day one."We understood each other.

Strictly Come Dancing nationwide tour cast are having the time of their lives whilst performing around the country in different cities.MORE: Amy Dowden shares update as she continues to recover from latest health battleWherever the friends go, they take on new and fun adventures, and on Tuesday, as they prepared for their first show in Sheffield, a number of them headed for a dip in the river Rivelin.WATCH: Rose Ayling-Ellis and Giovanni Pernice reveal their jaw-dropping workout routineRose Ayling-Ellis was one of those to take the daring dip in the cold waters, and shared her experience with her fans on Instagram.READ: Rose Ayling-Ellis stuns in skinny trousers on Strictly night outRELATED: Giovanni Pernice's deep connection and protectiveness over Rose Ayling-Ellis explainedThe EastEnders star, who is partnered with Giovanni Pernice, posed for several pictures wearing a warm poncho robe and slip-on water shoes and beamed as she posed with her friends. Rose and some of her Strictly colleagues took a dip in the river RivelinHowever, not all went according to plan as Sara Davies later revealed on her profile.