Former Strictly Come Dancing professional Nadiya Bychkova has suggested she is making a television comeback following her departure from the BBC ballroom programme. The dancer was a fixture on the popular show for several years, but left before the forthcoming 2026 series alongside fellow professionals Karen Hauer, Gorka Marquez, Luba Mushtuk and Michelle Tsiakkas.
Television and Pantomime Plans
Nadiya has now teased that she has other television opportunities in the pipeline, reports Wales Online. Asked about her plans following her Strictly exit, she told Betway that she will be playing Tinkerbell in Peter Pan during this year's pantomime season and hinted: 'There are also some TV projects coming up that I can't talk about yet, but they are things I've always wanted to do.' She added: 'It's a very creative future for me.'
Departure and Creative Shift
Nadiya confirmed in March that she was departing Strictly after nine years amongst the professional dancer lineup, telling fans on Instagram: 'This isn't the end... I look forward to being part of the Strictly world for many years to come in ways I am beginning to explore.' She has now spoken about her post-BBC life, saying: 'I'm definitely moving more into the creative side of things, with choreographing, producing shows, and developing my own ideas.' She continued: 'I love collaborating, and I have a collaboration coming up with one of the orchestras in the UK to create a show combining music and dance in a way I haven't seen done before. I'm really excited about that.'
Acting Debut and Future Ambitions
Nadiya has also shared that she plans to pursue more acting opportunities following her big screen acting debut in the film 10 Dance earlier this year. The movie, which stars Japanese actor Keita Machida, tells the story of two competing dancers whose partnership on the dancefloor sparks an unexpected connection. The Netflix production proved to be an experience the star 'really enjoyed', and she said that 'it inspired me to keep developing that skill'. Fans were impressed with Nadiya's appearance in 10 Dance when the film was unveiled, with one Instagram follower describing her as 'breathtaking' in the film and another praising her performance as 'beautiful and captivating'.
