Kai Widdrington has offered a positive update on his Strictly Come Dancing future as he admitted it's 'never nice' to be without a partner on the show having been 'snubbed' last year.
The professional dancer joined the hit dance show back in 2021, having already enjoying the role previously on the Irish version of Dancing with the Stars.
But as the 2024 series got underway, Kai wasn't given a celebrity partner, much to the upset of fans of the BBC One dance contest. He was, however, still very much been part of Strictly's 20th-anniversary series, partaking in the group numbers and performing during the musical acts who appear during the weekly results shows.
He was also spotted supporting his fellow Strictly stars in the 'Claudatorium' each Saturday night with the show's co-host Claudia Winkleman.
But after missing out on a celebrity partner during the hit dance show's 20th anniversary series, the dancer took part in the Strictly Come Dancing Live 2025 tour where he was seen back doing what he does best.
He got a prime role in the string of live arena shows as he's stepped in to partner Gladiators star Montell Douglas. Kai was drafted in to partner Montell after her 2024 series partner Johannes Radebe couldn't commit to the tour as he was already touring the country in his first-ever theatre role, playing Lola in Kinky Boots.
It has, however, recently been confirmed that Kai will be back in the ballroom later this year after the BBC confirmed its professional line-up for Strictly 2025, including the addition of new pros to be announced closer to the launch of series 23 this autumn.
Appearing on ITV's Lorraine on Wednesday (May 14), ahead of the opening night of his solo tour 'Evolution', Kai was asked about missing out on a partner by stand-in host Christine Lampard.
He said: "It's never nice but there's a few ways you can look at it, you can go down and sad about it, or you can take a step back and ask, 'What can I change in my life? What can I improve on?' and I made a few changes in my life.
"I sorted myself out. I wanted to feel good in my own skin and now I can happily say this, I'm the happiest I've ever been, which is number one. I'm in the best psychical shape I've ever been in since I was probably 17 at the height of my competition career and I'm feeling good going into my show.
"By the time the tours done, I'll be nice and fit and ready to go for Strictly when we start again at the end of July. I'm really excited and I'm just in a really good place."
Christine then responded: "You've found this gorgeous girl, and that's all part of it as well..." referring to the fact he recently went 'Instagram official' with new girlfriend, Chloe, following his split from Strictly co-star Nadiya Bychkova last year.
Kai went on: "I'm feeling really good. I don't know what it is, it's 2025, I'm turning 30 in August and I feel like I've started a new chapter in my life. Things come at the perfect time. I feel very, very happy and I am very happy and it's largely down to my other half as well."
