'Devastated' Nadiya Bychkova issues update on Strictly future after being axed from show

Strictly Come Dancing star Nadiya Bychkova has given an update on her future after initially refusing to be drawn on the controversial decision to send her and her celebrity partner Tom Dean home in the first elimination tonight.

The Ukrainian dancer was back on the Strictly lineup for the first time since 2022 this year but lasted just two weeks, being axed from the series in the first dance-off with celeb partner, Olympian Tom Dean.

The judges’ decision to remove the pair from the show after the pair fell into the bottom two dance-off, despite being in the middle of the leaderboard, led to criticism from former Strictly man Dan Walker, who danced with Nadiya back in 2021.

And tonight, after the result was announced, Nadiya posted on her Instagram that she was ‘not ready to talk about’ the elimination, clearly seething.

Now the pro has returned with a longer message after being flooded with support from fellow pros and former celebs like Helen Skelton too.

Nadiya posted: “I want to say thankyou for all the amazing messages tonight.

“Tom had so much to give and I had so much I wanted to teach him. His improvement in the last two weeks has been incredible and I think, actually I know, he could have become a brilliant dancer.

“I’m devastated that you won’t get to see that.

“My 3-time Olympic champion was an amazing student and is a wonderful gentleman. He will go on to bigger and better things and I know this year he could have had a brilliant Strictly story.”

Nadiya then took a moment to address her Strictly future as she confirmed her love for the show.

She added: “I love this show and I want to wish the other couples all the best and I’m sure it’s going to be a great series.

“Thank you for your kindness.”