Earlier this year, Nadiya Bychkova confirmed that she wouldn’t be returning as a professional dancer on BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing. This announcement came during a time of speculation about behind-the-scenes changes, which led to a significant reshuffle in the professional dancers’ line-up on the channel’s flagship Saturday night show.
Nadiya, 36, shared her thoughts on Instagram in March, stating: “After 9 wonderful years, this part of my journey with Strictly Come Dancing is evolving.” Now, she has hinted at what this evolution might look like. Speaking with Hello magazine, Nadiya expressed that she would “absolutely” consider returning to the BBC show in the future.
She told the publication that it is “absolutely [on the cards]”, adding: “We are talking about, hopefully in the future, me coming and choreographing some of the pro numbers.” Nadiya emphasized that the team has long known how passionate she is about creating and choreographing. She mentioned that many producers have watched shows she has directed herself.
She described this potential return as the “natural” thing to do, as it aligns with her passions. Nadiya admitted it would be “beautiful” to see some of her “creations and stories” that she wants to tell through dance on the show one day.
The 36-year-old was last partnered with Chris Robshaw, but the pair were eliminated during week four of the competition. During the 2021 season of the popular dance competition, Nadiya made it to the quarter-finals with broadcaster Dan Walker and finished in fifth place.
She also had a romance with Strictly professional Kai Widdrington for two years while they were on the programme, before they separated in 2024. Despite their split, the pair continued to appear together on the 2025 series, and Kai will return for the 2026 season.
After nearly a decade on the show, Nadiya formed strong bonds with former hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly. She revealed to the magazine that they still keep in touch regularly. However, she is confident that the new trio of hosts will bring something fresh and exciting to Strictly.
Last month, it was announced that Josh Widdicombe, Emma Willis, and Johannes Radebe will be the new hosts of the glitzy show following Tess and Claudia’s surprise departure. BBC’s chief content officer, Kate Phillips, praised the new hosts for their “undeniable” chemistry and said they had chosen “three outstanding hosts to take up the mantle.”
Nadiya is pleased to see one of her fellow professional dancers take on a new role within the same show, adding that they all “evolve creatively.” Strictly Come Dancing will return to BBC One this autumn.
Got a story? If you’ve got a celebrity story, video, or pictures, get in touch with the.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us [email protected], calling 020 3615 2145, or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
Want to get bespoke updates on the TV shows you love? Sign up to ‘s TV newsletters and tell us which ones you can’t get enough of.
