Strictly star opens up on huge family loss as she admits 'I wasn't ready to say goodbye'
Strictly Come Dancing star Nikita Kanda opened up about her grandfather's death in an emotional post on Instagram.
Strictly unveils BBC presenter Nikita Kanda as ninth contestant
Nikita Kanda is one of the 15 celebrities who have signed up to this year's Strictly Come Dancing.
Just months before agreeing to the show, Nikita said goodbye to her grandfather and she shared a touching tribute on her Instagram page.
She shared a number of snaps of herself with her grandfather throughout the years.
In the emotional post, Nikita wrote: "I wasn’t ready to say goodbye to you yet nana (grandad) you wasn’t supposed to go the way you did.
"This is my fave pic of us at my 21st birthday party, you were so happy here.
"This is the first time I’ve experienced such a loss in my life but I’m lucky to have had 27 years with you.
"My grandad came to this country from Zira, Punjab at 18 years old, settled in Birmingham and never looked back. "The life we have today is all down to his hard work and determination."
She continued: "He was the most clever, kind, caring, witty and stubborn man I knew.
"I’m gonna miss your bad dancing, funny one liners, having movie nights, making up random words and taking the mick out of my nani together.
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"You would always make everyone in the room laugh with your jokes. It was nice to see how many people respected my nana and how many people loved him."
Nikita finished the tribute with: "It was hard to let you go today but I hope you’re having some jokes wherever you are and some peace and quiet from your loud, crazy family.
"We’re all gonna miss you so much. Thank you for teaching me to be a grafter.
"I’m glad god chose me to be your first granddaughter. I hope I continue to make you proud."
Nikita's not the only star who suffered a huge loss this year as Annabel Croft's husband Mel Coleman died just months before she signed up to the contest.
Speaking about her late partner, Annabel shared he was a "huge fan" of Strictly Come Dancing and she is "thrilled" to take part in his memory.
She said: "It's just exciting to do a new challenge and have fun in the process. Not taking myself too seriously."
Strictly Come Dancing returns to BBC One later this year.