Strictly Come Dancing fans have taken to social media to say that Dani Dyer and Nikita Kuzmin are 'lacking chemistry' this year, following their Rumba performance on the October 17 show.
Reunion on the Dance Floor
Dani, 30, and Nikita, 28, were originally paired for the 2025 series, but Dani had to withdraw before the live shows began after suffering a fractured ankle in training. She was invited back for this year's season, and in a first for Strictly, the show paired the returning celebrity with her original professional partner.
During the 2026 launch show on September 19, they were officially reunited through a speed-dancing challenge. The reunion was emotional for both, with Nikita admitting he cried "tears of joy" and Dani saying she was "over the moon" to be back.
Viewers React to the Rumba
However, after their Rumba to Mariah Carey's "Hero" on October 17, some viewers claimed the pair were 'leaving them cold'. One person wrote on X: "I do like Dani and Nikita, but this Rumba really showed the lack of chemistry. That was so cold."
Another viewer commented: "I agree. I think him and Dani get along just fine but the chemistry just isn't there. Nikita is my fav pro so I'm a bit sad that I'm not feeling this partnership like I thought I would." A third added: "Sadly agree, compared to Amber (Davies) last year their partnership leaves me a bit cold."
Judges' Score and Praise
The couple scored 25 out of 40 (6 + 6 + 6 + 7) for the dance. Despite the score, head judge Shirley Ballas praised Dani's "beautiful" form and noted: "Your timing was very good. You had quite difficult choreography."
Behind the scenes, Dani has praised Nikita, saying her kids adore "Princess Nikita" after he dressed up for their Disney routine. She said her children keep asking when he can come over for breakfast, and her husband Jared has become obsessed with supporting them.
Their pairing initially sparked debate on social media, with some viewers questioning whether they had an "unfair advantage" from training together the previous year, but the backlash quickly died down. Strictly Come Dancing airs on Saturday, October 24, 2026, at 6:30PM on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
