Strictly Come Dancing star Nikita Kuzmin has spoken about his return to the dance competition, following the announcement that the show will part ways with five professional dancers ahead of the new season. The Ukrainian-born dancer, who has been on the show since 2021, took to social media to express his excitement and gratitude.
Returning Professionals
It was confirmed on Wednesday that Dianne Buswell, Julian Caillon, Amy Dowden, Katya Jones, Neil Jones, Nikita Kuzmin, Jowita Przystał, Johannes Radebe, Aljaž Škorjanec, Alexis Warr, Kai Widdrington, Nancy Xu, Carlos Gu, Lauren Oakley, and Vito Coppola would all be returning to the series. However, Luba Mushtuk, Michelle Tsiakkas, Karen Hauer, and Nadiya Bychkova were reportedly axed, alongside Gorka Marquez, who announced his departure from the show.
Nikita's Emotional Response
Reacting to the news, Nikita wrote: 'I'm so excited to be back for my 6th series. I feel so lucky and grateful for everything that has happened in the last five years. Being a small part of this beautiful show has truly changed everything for me! I had the best partners and doing it with the best team in telly has truly been a blessing! Time flies when you're having fun. Let's go out there and enjoy every single moment of the best and most wholesome show on telly @bbcstrictly.'
Vito Coppola's Perspective
Fellow professional Vito Coppola also opened up about the departures, sharing his philosophical take. He told The Sun: 'In the dancing world, there is this rule that I have personally learnt – never to be too happy or too sad when something happens. It just helps you to keep grounded and keep moving. Our career as a dancer is a very dynamic career and we are aware of it. It's never the beginning of the end of nothing. It's just the transformation, it's just evolved, it's keep on moving. It's like being in the ocean – if you think of fish swimming in the ocean, you don't think of them just staying still, they always move, they always navigate. Dancers' life is very dynamic, we never stop. I think the best way for us as a dancer is to just be aware. If you're aware, after it's all good.'
Judges and Presenters
The judging panel remains unchanged, with Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Anton Du Beke, and head judge Shirley Ballas all returning. However, hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly announced they would be stepping down from the show. Vito expressed confidence in the BBC's choice of successors, stating: 'I'm sure the entire BBC and production of Strictly will do an amazing job. I'm sure they will take someone who will be amazing. I know all of them, they are just beautiful as people and professional. I am a person who loves people. I will not just open the window, I will open the entire balcony and welcome them.'
