Strictly Come Dancing’s Kai Widdrington couldn’t hold in his emotions on Sunday night as his celebrity partner Angela Rippon was finally sent home after a dance-off against Bobby Brazier.
Angela had been in the bottom two for three weeks running and her luck finally ran out tonight as Eastenders star Bobby was unanimously saved by the judges.
But Kai, 28, was moved by Angela Rippon’s touching tribute to him just moments later, including Angela’s reference to his partner Nadiya Bychkova, who was left out of the BBC dance show this year when bosses decided not to give her a partner.
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Angela bristled at the constant references to the era in which she hosted Strictly predecessor Come Dancing, but gave a touching tribute to Kai and his snubbed partner which was clearly enough to move Kai to tears.
Angela said to Kai after the elimination: “People keep making reference to the fact that I presented Come Dancing. That was 40 years ago. That was a different time. He wasn’t even born then!
“But actually being this side of the competition, this side of the programme, has been really an eye opener for me in so many different ways.
“The pros, everybody that has danced, has been so supportive.
“But the person who has to get the most credit is this gentleman here (Kai).
“I keep telling him he’s an old soul on young shoulders. He’s 28 and I’m 79, there’s a 51 year age difference. But he has looked after me so brilliantly, he is a wonderful dancer a great choreographer but most of all he’s a terrific teacher and he has the patience of a saint he really does.
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“And all I can say is that he and you’ve got me here so don’t you dare cry!
“He and his partner Nadiya are in every sense of the word beautiful people and I am so pleased to have you in my life.”
(Image: Instagram/ @kaiwidd)
Kai said: “Since week one since I met this amazing woman – and as she said I wasn’t even born when she did Come Dancing, I had to ask my parents about this amazing Morecombe and Wise moment that was so famous.
“And like Angela said there’s a 50-year age gap between us but I feel like I’ve known her for 50 years. We’re like mates and I’m so proud of you, and you should be proud of yourself and it’s been my absolute honour and pleasure to dance with you especially in this beautiful ballroom tonight.
Viewers loved it and although most thought it was Angela’s time to go, were supportive of the pair after the moving tributes.
@AAangels said: “How cute was Angela Rippon’s goodbye speech tho, Bless Kai, you could tell this partnership meant so much to him”
@journalistjill said: “I can’t believe Kai is only 28. But bless him. It was time for Angela to go.”
@whatmakesaman said: “Perfect to see Kai show his emotions on #StrictlyComeDancing on #InternationalMensDay – a great day to show that men can share emotions publicly – happiness, sadness, disappointment? It’s all here.”
How long have Kai and Nadiya been dating?
Kai Widdrington was in a relationship with Dancing With The Stars pro Guilia Dotta from 2016 to 2021.
Nadiya had married Russian dancer Sergey Konovaltsev in 2013 and they were married for two years. Bychkova was then engaged to Slovenian footballer Matija Skarabot, with whom she has a daughter.
But in June 2022 it was reported that fellow Strictly Nadiya and Kai had got together after Kai had helped comfort her during a break-up.
Strictly Come Dancing returns with It Takes Two on Monday at 6.30pm on BBC Two.
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