Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more

Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more

Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more

Strictly Come Dancing professional Nadiya Bychkova has been blunt about her relationship with ex-boyfriend Kai Widdrington.

The former Strictly couple began dating in 2022, but split earlier this year.

Asked whether they remain friendly, Bychkova said: “We work together but we are not friends and that’s OK.”

The Ukrainian dancer continued: “One thing I can tell you is that when you see me dancing with him, it will be amazing because I’m a professional.”

She declined to comment any further on their break-up or former relationship.

Professional dancers Bychkova, 35, and Widdrington, 29, met on the BBC dancing competition back in 2021.

This year’s season of Strictly saw Bychkova partnered with 24-year-old Olympian Tom Dean. The pair, however, were the first couple to be eliminated after losing a dance-off to Toyah Willcox and her partner Neil Jones.

Speaking at The Mirror’s Pride of Britain awards, Bychkova said of her early exit: “It’s never nice to leave early.”

She continued: “Tom and I have had so much support from people and I get the feeling that the viewers wanted to see what he was capable of and so did I. Someone had to go and it’s just a shame it was Tom.”

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She said that they are “going to keep dancing” despite the elimination.

“I am going to teach him a salsa with some big lifts. Not for TV, just so he can see he can be brilliant,” Bychkova said.

Asked who should take home the coveted Glitterball trophy this year, she said: “There is so much talent this year and the standard is so high it’s incredible. I love the show so much and it’s great to have a front row seat every weekend. I have no idea who is going to win but I know we are in a brilliant few months of dancing.”

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Widdrington, a fan-favourite on the show since joining in 2021, is notably absent from this year’s line-up.

The male-heavy roster of celebrities, all of which you can find here, meant that less male professional partners were required.

A source told The Sun at the time: “Kai has become the first casualty of this year’s male-heavy line-up.

“With so few female celebrities it was inevitable that some of the professionals would miss out on a pairing, but it’s a real blow that Kai is one of them.”

This year’s season of Strictly has been rocked by scandal after former contestant Amanda Abbington pulled out last year and later filed complaints of verbal bullying and harassment against pro dancer Giovanni Pernice.

Pernice has denied any wrongdoing, while the BBC’s months-long investigation into his conduct acknowledged Abbington’s complaints of verbal bullying and harassment but concluded that the Italian dancer was not physically aggressive to his celebrity partner.

GIOVANNI Pernice returned to British television today for the first time since the conclusion of a Strictly Come Dancing investigation into his conduct.

Appearing on Lorraine, hosted by Christine Lampard, a suited Giovanni, 34, vowed to set the record straight on his feud with Amanda Abbington and repeatedly said he was relieved and happy with the findings, which upheld six of 17 complaints made against him.

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He said: “When you have somebody in your hands, like Amanda, she was brilliant and unbelievable at dancing.

“I’m upset because we could have made it all the way to the final. My job is to take everything out of my partner. It’s in the public domain, the fact I’m a strict teacher. If you want to achieve greatness, I think this is the right way to do.”

He denied ever clashing with the actress in the rehearsal room, despite her claims he made offensive comments towards her.

“The investigation didn’t find me a bully,” he said. “Bully is a big word, there’s a big difference between bullying and caring about what you do.

“All I had was ‘Giovanni you’re an amazing teacher, Giovanni you’re great’.”

He continued : “At that time everything was perfect, me and Amanda Abbington never had an argument.”

The dancer said he would like to have a cup of tea with Amanda and discuss what happened between them in a civil way.

He reflected on his career successes, including lifting the Glitterball with Rose Ayling-Ellis and his current leaderboard topping run on the Italian version of the show, saying: “Teaching the way I teach is the successful way to approach this.”

He added: “If you come to the room with me and go ‘you really want to win this’, I will do everything in my power to win this.

“If you suddenly change this and don’t tell me that, there’s nothing I can do. I don’t read minds.

“I’m very, very competitive. I will make sure I will do everything to get out the best of you.”

He refused to answer if he had a future on Strictly, instead responding that he was busy with his work in Italy and his upcoming theatre tour.

Yesterday, the Italian star admitted he “wanted to punch the TV” when watching former dance partner Amanda Abbington discussing claims made against him.

In a new interview, Giovanni said he “sobbed” when he heard the actress was to appear on Channel 4 to claim her bullying allegations were ‘of a sexual nature’.

Amanda’s interview with Krishnan Guru-Murthy, who had competed alongside her in the 2023 series of Strictly, aired in July.

Giovanni has now broken his silence after the BBC finally cleared him of 10 of the 16 allegations the Sherlock actress had made against him.

The ex Strictly pro told Mail+: “I wanted to punch the television. I didn’t watch it, I couldn’t watch the interview because I was thinking, ‘Why would you talk on live TV when we’ve both been asked not to talk about it?’

“My Sicilian blood would rise up and I’d think, ‘This isn’t the truth’ – but I had to remain silent.”

Amanda’s interview with Krishnan aired three months in to the BBC’s £250,000 investigation, which wrapped up in September.

Giovanni said the televised chat on Channel 4 in July was the first time there had been a mention of anything “sexual”.

“Of course, I was worried it could destroy my career – the people that come to my shows are kids and women,” he added to the publication.

Giovanni was partnered with Amanda on the 2023 series of Strictly Come Dancing.

But she departed in week six, citing medical reasons. Amanda later accused Giovanni of bullying – which he vehemently denies.

Giovanni decided to quit Strictly in May after nine years on the BBC dancing show.

It came as he faced allegations over his training methods with his former celebrity partners, including Amanda.

Last month, the BBC published the findings of its five-month investigation into the alleged scandal.

Giovanni was cleared of 10 of the 16 allegations made against him.

It did, however, find instances of the professional dancer using “belittling” language towards her, and the Beeb apologised to Amanda.

Giovanni will be appearing on ITV’s Lorraine to discuss the bullying probe and its outcome on Tuesday morning (October 22).

Strictly 2024 pairings

Here’s who is matched with who this series…

A TV source told The Sun: “Amanda has conducted a number of interviews throughout the investigation on high-profile platforms like Channel 4 News but Giovanni was not able to do so as a BBC employee.

“Now it is complete, Giovanni is able to discuss certain things but most importantly, move forward with his career.

“He will chat to Lorraine about his upcoming solo tour The Last Dance and run of new dates for his gigs with Anton Du Beke.”

Giovanni is currently taking part in Italy‘s version of Strictly Come Dancing.

He relocated to Italy as Amanda spoke out about her ordeal on Newsnight following the BBC investigation.

She claimed her nightmare rehearsals with Gio got so bad she was actually relieved when a cancer scare meant she could quit the show.

The BBC apologised to the actress as she revealed her experience with him was “morbid and toxic”.

Meanwhile, Giovanni is due to make a brief return to Strictly in a one-off special celebrating the show’s 20 years on screen.

In December’s anniversary special, he will appear in footage from 2021 dancing with EastEnders star Rose Ayling-Ellis, who was the first deaf winner of Strictly Come Dancing.

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A Big Bang Theory star has shared promising news for those hoping for a reboot.

Weeks after it was revealed a second spin-off would focus on three supporting characters featured in the hit sitcom, one of its main cast members, Kaley Cuoco, has said they would reprise their role if the opportunity came their way.

The actor played Penny in the series, which ran for 12 seasons from 2007 to 2020. In a new interview, she reflected on the series, stating: “I spent 12 years playing that role, and it really set off my career. I owe a lot to that character, to that show, to Jacob Stolworthy Chuck Lorre.”

Cuoco told People: “I would absolutely reprise that role. One hundred per cent. I love that character, and I always will.”

The original became a huge hit for CBS and saw its lead stars, including Cuoco, Jim Parsons and Johnny Galecki, become some of the highest-paid actors on TV.

While no reboot has been confirmed, the show’s universe is getting even bigger following the conclusion of prequel series Young Sheldon, which ended earlier this year.

It was reported on Thursday (10 0ctober) that the project, which was announced in 2023, will focus on three characters from the original series: comic book owner Stuart Bloom, his girlfriend Denise and recurring character Bert Kibbler.

Not all TV viewers are happy with the news, though, with many criticising the decision to make yet another new Big Bang Theory show in favour of something original.

“That’s going to be a hard pass from me,” one person wrote, with another adding: “OR… and hear me out… we green light or revive more original sitcoms that had original characters and an original plot line and haven’t gotten to see the light of day instead of making constant revivals and reboots and spinoffs”

After The Big Bang Theory, Cuoco went on to star in The Flight Attendant and Based On a True Story, which is returning for a second season.

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The actor announced her engagement to Tom Pelphrey earlier this year. She has previously been married twice: once to tennis player Ryan Sweeting in December 2013 and then to Karl Cook in June 2018.

STRICTLY’S Kai Widdrington was pictured looking very close to Love Island’s Maura Higgins after last night’s Pride of Britain Awards.

The professional dancer, who is without a celebrity partner in the current series, split from co-star Nadiya Bychkova earlier this year.

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Kai and Maura hunkered down in the five-star JW Marriott Grosvenor House after the star-studded event celebrating the nation’s unsung heroes.

Love Island legend Maura looked like a Hollywood siren with slick brunette hair, pearls around her neck and a plunging black dress, while Kai was smart as ever in a black suit.

At one point Maura tenderly tickled Kai’s face with a peach-coloured rose.

When the pair climbed to their feet, Kai held Maura’s shoulder in a position that wouldn’t have looked out of place in a sizzling ballroom routine.

Kai appeared to be in his element at the plush venue, smiling and hugging Strictly’s Dr Punam Krishnan around the same table.

Earlier in the evening, his ex Nadiya made it clear she and Kai are no longer on good terms.

She told the Mirror: “We work together but we are not friends and that’s ok. One thing I can tell you is that when you see me dancing with him it will be amazing because I’m a professional.” 

The pair had a passionate two-year romance after hitting it off on the BBC show.

But a source told us this summer: “Kai and Nadiya seemed like the most perfect couple and have been so, so blissfully in love.

“But the pressures of touring – being in each other’s space 24/7, and the stress of performing a sell-out show eventually took its toll.”

Meanwhile Maura has been linked with Towie legend Pete Wicks, who is dancing with pro Jowita Pryzstal in this year’s Strictly.

Last year Maura and Pete were pictured kissing in a London bar and they were photographed looking close recently, too.

Nadiya let her down after the tear-jerking ceremony last night by having a laugh with Gladiators man mountain, Giant.

The pair were pictured having a good chin-wag at the after-party.

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John Stapleton has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.

The broadcaster, 78, who is known for presenting programmes including Newsnight, Panorama and GMTV’s News Hour, made the announcement on BBC One’s Morning Live.

Parkinson’s is a brain disorder that causes unintended or uncontrollable movements, such as shaking, stiffness, and difficulty with balance and coordination. Often, the disease can become more severe over time.

Speaking to his son, presenter Nick Stapleton, the broadcaster said: “Speaking is how I’ve earned my living for the best part of 50 years, and it’s very frustrating sometimes, particularly if people are constantly saying to you, sorry, what did you say? And you have to repeat yourself time and time and time again.”

He added: “I’m fairly pragmatic about the prospect of this getting worse. I try to remain positive, because what’s the point of not being [positive].”

Nick said it was “early days” of his father’s diagnosis and added that Stapleton is “still fairly independent”.

He continued: “Nonetheless, I want to start these conversations now, to get some potentially difficult topics out in the open and make it easier for later on.”

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While speaking about his diagnosis on Morning Live, Stapleton revealed his mother also had Parkinson’s and he is now experiencing similar mobility problems to her.

“The fact that I’ve had an early diagnosis, the fact that I’ve seen what happened to my mother firsthand is all a big bonus in many ways,” he said. “It enables me to look at it practically, realistically and plan sensibly for the future.”

Georgina Jones, a senior care advisor for Parkinson’s UK appeared on the programme to give Nick advice on how to speak to his father about needing care in the future as his symptoms worsen.

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“It’s trying to talk about what support someone might need rather than what care they might need; starting with what they would like and what they’re struggling with,” she said.

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“There’s all kinds of equipment that people might need in their home. And those kinds of small steps will then build up to something more major, decisions about if someone needed to sell their home, they needed to move, etc.”

Fans were quick to send their well wishes to Stapleton following his announcement. “One of the finest broadcasters in my lifetime, sad to hear this and sending best wishes,” one person wrote on X/Twitter.

“A brilliant broadcaster,” another fan added.

GIOVANNI Pernice “wanted to punch the TV” when watching Amanda Abbington discussing claims made against him, according to reports.

The Italian dancer, 34, has said he “sobbed” when he heard the actress was to appear on Channel 4 to claim her bullying allegations were ‘of a sexual nature’.

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Amanda’s interview with Krishnan Guru-Murthy, who had competed alongside her in the 2023 series of Strictly, aired in July.

Giovanni has now broken his silence after the BBC finally cleared him of 10 of the 16 allegations the Sherlock actress had made against him.

The ex Strictly pro told Mail+: “I wanted to punch the television. I didn’t watch it, I couldn’t watch the interview because I was thinking, ‘Why would you talk on live TV when we’ve both been asked not to talk about it?’

“My Sicilian blood would rise up and I’d think, ‘This isn’t the truth’ – but I had to remain silent.”

Amanda’s interview with Krishnan aired three months in to the BBC’s £250,000 investigation, which wrapped up in September.

Giovanni said the televised chat on Channel 4 in July was the first time there had been a mention of anything “sexual”.

“Of course, I was worried it could destroy my career – the people that come to my shows are kids and women,” he added to the publication.

Giovanni was partnered with Amanda on the 2023 series of Strictly Come Dancing.

But she departed in week six, citing medical reasons. Amanda later accused Giovanni of bullying – which he vehemently denies.

Giovanni decided to quit Strictly in May after nine years on the BBC dancing show.

It came as he faced allegations over his training methods with his former celebrity partners, including Amanda.

Last month, the BBC published the findings of its five-month investigation into the alleged scandal.

Giovanni was cleared of 10 of the 16 allegations made against him.

It did, however, find instances of the professional dancer using “belittling” language towards her, and the Beeb apologised to Amanda.

Giovanni will be appearing on ITV’s Lorraine to discuss the bullying probe and its outcome on Tuesday morning (October 22).

Strictly 2024 pairings

Here’s who is matched with who this series…

A TV source told The Sun: “Amanda has conducted a number of interviews throughout the investigation on high-profile platforms like Channel 4 News but Giovanni was not able to do so as a BBC employee.

“Now it is complete, Giovanni is able to discuss certain things but most importantly, move forward with his career.

“He will chat to Lorraine about his upcoming solo tour The Last Dance and run of new dates for his gigs with Anton Du Beke.”

Giovanni is currently taking part in Italy‘s version of Strictly Come Dancing.

He relocated to Italy as Amanda spoke out about her ordeal on Newsnight following the BBC investigation.

She claimed her nightmare rehearsals with Gio got so bad she was actually relieved when a cancer scare meant she could quit the show.

The BBC apologised to the actress as she revealed her experience with him was “morbid and toxic”.

Meanwhile, Giovanni is due to make a brief return to Strictly in a one-off special celebrating the show’s 20 years on screen.

In December’s anniversary special, he will appear in footage from 2021 dancing with EastEnders star Rose Ayling-Ellis, who was the first deaf winner of Strictly Come Dancing.

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