Latest news with #KaiWiddrington
BBC News
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Why BBC Strictly Come Dancing star chose dancing over football
As the son of a much-loved footballer, Strictly Come Dancing star Kai Widdrington seemed destined to follow in his father's professional dancer lived in Trentham, Stoke-on-Trent, for much of his childhood as his dad Tommy Widdrington, Aldershot Town FC's current manager, played for Port Vale his time in the city, Widdrington (Kai) joined the club's academy and said he wanted to be a "star footballer" just like his that trajectory changed when his parents decided their son, who admitted to being a "hyperactive" youngster, needed another outlet. Widdrington told BBC Radio Stoke he lived next door to some ballroom dance teachers and he joined their class, but it took a while for him to fall in love with said: "I really didn't like it that much, until they got me a partner and we started doing competitions, so there was a competitive side to it." That competitive drive overcame any potential inhibitions he might have felt about performing while "wearing sparkles or Cuban heels"."I needed to do what I needed to do to win. It was about winning for me," he said the "lightbulb" moment came when he was listening to his dad's music on the way to football practice and would think about the dances that went with each song."I just loved it that bit more than more football, although I had a really promising football career ahead of me as a teenager," he the family moved back to Southampton, where he was born, Widdrington played alongside future Premier League stars, including Luke Shaw and Alex he gave up a potential future place at Southampton FC, choosing instead to pursue a career as a professional dancer. Widdrington said he remembered his time in Stoke-on-Trent with affection, having lived there through his primary school years."I have fond memories of being in Stoke," he said. "It was so much fun. I had great friends and had a really great childhood growing up there."Widdrington is currently touring his dance show, Evolution, and will return to Strictly Come Dancing later in the year for his fifth season as a professional his time on the BBC show, he said: "It is life-changing but especially as a British lad growing up in Stoke-on-Trent. "It's a real full-circle moment for me," he added. Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Wales Online
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Strictly's Kai Widdrington says 'I'll be ready' as he addresses show 'snub'
Strictly's Kai Widdrington says 'I'll be ready' as he addresses show 'snub' Strictly Come Dancing professional Kai Widdrington has shared an "exciting" update with Christine Lampard on Lorraine, as he prepares to kick off a brand new tour Strictly Come Dancing's Kai Widdrington appeared on ITV's Lorraine, chatting with stand-in host Christine Lampard about his latest venture as he embarks on a new tour. The professional dancer, aged 29, updated Christine about his upcoming venture, Evolution, which launches today in High Wycombe, and shared that he's currently in the "best shape" of his life. Kai, who was notably without a celebrity partner during the 2024 series of Strictly, discussed his journey of self-improvement and hinted at a strong return to the show, stating that he's undergone significant personal growth. Last year, there were whispers that Kai might have been overlooked by BBC producers, but he quashed those rumours by confirming his return to Strictly training in July. He remarked: "There's a few ways you can look at it, you can either go down and be sad about it or you can kind of take a step back and say 'what can I change in my life?' And 'what can I improve on?' "I made a few changes in my life and sorted myself out. I wanted to feel good in my own skin. I can now happily say this, that I am the happiest I have ever been, first of all which is number one," reports Edinburgh Live. Article continues below Kai Widdrington shares news with Christine Lampard on ITV's Lorraine BBC Strictly Come Dancing pro lands new role away from show sparking exit fears READ MORE: With confidence, Kai explained: "I am in the best physical shape I have ever been in since I was 17 and the height of my competition career and I'm feeling good going into my show and by the tours done, I'll be nice and fit and ready to go for Strictly when we start again at the end of July" He concluded: "I'm really excited and just in a really good place." The conversation with Christine also veered towards football, revealing a shared connection through Christine's husband, football icon and manager Frank Lampard, and Kai's father, Thomas Widdrington, who also had a distinguished football career as a midfielder for Southampton in the 1990s before moving into management, now leading National League club Aldershot Town. Kai confirmed he is in the "best shape" of his life Kai opened up about his childhood realisation that football wasn't in his cards, despite following the early path set out by his father's celebrated sporting career and with his brother Theo currently playing for Aldershot Town FC as a professional footballer. Christine pressed on during the conversation: "Your career could have been very different, you could have been a footballer?" Kai responded light-heartedly, confessing to Christine: "I know I could have been playing Frank's team." Kai didn't want to follow in his father's football footsteps (Image: Kai Widdrington Instagram ) Article continues below The discussion delved into whether it was challenging for Kai to break the news to his family that he was swapping football boots for dance shoes, diverging from the family's athletic legacy. Kai recounted the pivotal moment with humour: "I had to tell my dad I wanted to be a dancer at age 12. I always knew that I didn't want to be running around a cold football pitch and that being in a warm studio with girls felt much more me," he quipped. "Luckily my brother went on to be the professional footballer and managed by my dad." Lorraine airs weekdays on ITV1, from 9am.
The Sun
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Strictly's Kai Widdrington breaks silence on new girlfriend after Nadiya split and gushes ‘I'm happiest I've ever been'
STRICTLY Come Dancing's Kai Widdrington has broken his silence on his new girlfriend after his bitter split with co-star Nadiya Bychkova. It came after The Sun exclusively confirmed he had found love again with brunette beauty Chloe Wells - nine months on from his acrimonious break-up with his co-star, 35. 6 6 The pair then went Instagram official last month The professional dancer, 29, appeared on Tuesday's Lorraine show to talk about his upcoming tour, followed by the new instalment of the BBC reality series. Kai told how he was the "happiest I have ever been" and "in the best shape I have been", before admitting he was in a "really good place." Lorraine stand-in host Christine Lampard, 46, then suggested his new love had a part to place in his upbeat demeanour. Strictly fan-favourite Kai, who earlier in the chat admitted he had "made a few changes" in his life, said: "I'm feeling really good, I don't know what it is. "2025 is the half of 10 years, I'm turning 30 in August, and as you said things come at the perfect time. "I feel very very happy and it's largely down to my other half as well." Christine replied: "Absolutely! "A lot of love goes a long way, we know that." LOVE STORY Kai met Chloe, an executive assistant for a firm in the City, during a trip to his local pub. Having kept their romance secret for a little while, the pair are set to 'go public' with their first red carpet appearance too. A pal said: 'Chloe and Kai met in a pub in West London and hit it off from the start. 'Chloe is a great girl and has absolutely no interest in the limelight; she just likes Kai for Kai. "They have a real laugh together and although it's early days, they're planning on moving in together in the coming months. 'Kai found it very damaging to his mental health having his past relationship with Nadiya played out in public, and thankfully Chloe has no interest at all in being in the spotlight. "She also isn't a Strictly superfan which makes things easier. 'They're super-content, and Kai attributes a lot of his looking so well to being in a happier place in life thanks to her. They make a really cute couple.' Chloe, originally from Leigh-on-Sea in Essex, now lives in London. This is Kai's first relationship following his break-up from Ukrainian pro, Nadiya, whom he dated for two years. The pair launched a sell-out tour but, awkwardly, were forced to dance together nightly whilst in the process of separating. Last year Nadiya gave an interview to promote her solo tour, and confirmed she and Kai were no longer friends. 6 6 6
Edinburgh Live
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Live
Strictly Come Dancing's Kai Widdrington says 'I'll be ready to go' in show update
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Strictly Come Dancing star Kai Widdrington took to ITV's Lorraine to share some important news with stand-in host Christine Lampard as he kicks off a brand new tour. During the update about his new tour, Evolution, which kicks off today in High Wycombe, the 29-year-old professional dancer expressed to Christine that he was feeling in the "best shape" of his life. Talk turned to Strictly after Kai found himself without a celebrity contestant during the 2024 series, expressing that things would be different this time as he'd been on a serious adventure of personal growth. It was speculated last year that Kai had been snubbed by BBC producers, however he put those rumours to bed confirming he'd be back for training in July. He said: "I made a few changes in my life sorted myself out and I am the happiest I have ever been. "By the time the tours done, I'll be my fittest and ready to go for Strictly in July." This is a breaking showbiz story and is being constantly updated. Please refresh the page regularly to get the latest news, pictures and videos. You can also get email updates on the day's biggest stories straight to your inbox by signing up for our newsletters.
BBC News
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Strictly pro teaches BBC presenters to Lindy Hop for VE Day 80
Strictly star teaches BBC presenters VE Day dance BBC South Today's Ed Sault and BBC Radio Oxford's Sophie Law went for a Lindy Hop lesson from Strictly Come Dancing star Kai Widdrington On VE Day, men, women and children in towns and cities across the UK began dancing the Lindy Hop in celebration of the defeat of Nazi Germany and the end of war in Europe. The dance began in New York City in the late 1920s and was born out of those from the swing genre, such as the jive. But by the end of the Second World War, it had also become popular with people on this side of the Atlantic. Ahead of the 80th anniversary of VE Day on Thursday, BBC South Today's Ed Sault and BBC Radio Oxford's Sophie Law went for a Lindy Hop lesson from Strictly Come Dancing star Kai Widdrington.
