Strictly star reveals why she’s ‘glad’ Kai Widdrington doesn’t have a celeb partner

Kai Widdrington wearing a black tuxedo and smiling for photos at an event
A former contestant has said she’s glad Kai Widdrington doesn’t have a celeb partner (Picture: Joe Maher/Getty Images for the NTA’s)

A former Strictly contestant has revealed she’s ‘glad’ Strictly Come Dancing’ star Kai Widdrington doesn’t have a partner.

The Strictly launch show took place last weekend and fans were delighted as some of their favourite professionals took to the dance floor to waltz, tango, and cha cha cha with this year’s group of famous faces.

Sadly, although Kai was around for some of the group dances, he did not get partnered up with a celebrity this season and was forced to sit out this year.

Helen Skelton ,41, who competed on the show in 2022 revealed on BBC Morning Live that she is in fact glad that Kai wasn’t partnered with anyone.

‘As we mentioned, it’s the return of the Glitterball!’ she said to Kai as she hosted the daytime TV show alongside Gethin Jones.

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‘Kai, we said this is your first time with us, I can say this, we’re friends.

‘We saw you’ve not got a partner but we’re glad because it means you can hang out with us all week,’ she said

Kai replied: ‘I’m here, you’ve got me all week. I’m here all week Monday to Friday doing Strictly fitness and yeah, it’s my first time, I can’t wait!’

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Speaking to the Daily Star, Kai revealed he was hopeful he’d be included next year and sadly not being selected to compete is just something that happens in the series.

‘Everyone wants to get a celebrity. Unfortunately it wasn’t my time this series. Two boys couldn’t have one this series and sadly I am one of them.

‘Some of us don’t get partners and that’s the way it is. Let’s see what happens next year. Hopefully I’ll get one then.

‘The line-up of celebs this year is amazing. It is going to be a fantastic series, as it always is.

‘We have been filming a lot of the group routines. There are some amazing ones. We have worked really hard through the summer to get them ready for the series. One of the ones I feature in is very funny,’ he teased.

Helen Skelton and Kai Widdrington smiling for Strictly Come Dancing promotional photography
Helen and Kai have become pals over the years (Picture:REX)

Helen Skelton and Gorka Marquez during the live show of Strictly Come Dancing on BBC1
Helen was partnered with Gorka during her time on the show (picture PA)

Helen competed in the twentieth series of the dance competition, with professional dancer Gorka Marquez.

She was one of the runners-up in the finale but lost to Hamza Yassin and Jowita Przystał who cinched the Glitterball trophy.

When taking part in the Strictly arena tour after the show, Kai and Helen were paired up on a few occasions, further solidifying their friendship.

Helen also participated in the 2012 Christmas special with Artem Chigvintsev and was runner-up to JB Gill and Ola Jordan.

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