Strictly Come Dancing 2024 filming is underway ahead of the launch in next month – and a second new pairing might well have been confirmed.
We’re just weeks away from opening night, which will see viewers find out which professional dancers and celebs have been assigned to each other.
And Love Islander Tasha Ghouri and Strictly veteran Aljaz Skorjanec are apparently the second ‘confirmed’ couple who’ll be taking to the floor together.
The reality TV star, 26, and her prospective dancing partner, 34, are said to have been chosen by bosses as they attempt to avoid any ‘scandals’ whatsoever this year.
‘Strictly execs want to produce the most incredible, warm and fluffy show possible. There can be no scandal.’
A source told The Sun, ‘They want to create moments that win awards, not land complaints,’ as Strictly attempts to bring back the ‘feel-good factor’ this year.
Aljaz quit the BBC series back in 2022 after almost a decade in the ballroom, but will be returning this year as part of the professionals line-up.
This latest development comes after DIY SOS host Nick Knowles and Nadiya Bychkova were spotted at the same shopping centre in London.
The event has led to speculation that they could be competing together in the BBC series.
For the occasion Nadiya, 35, looked effortlessly chic in a pair of jeans, a flowing white shirt, and heeled mules. While Nick, 61, chose a smart blue suit, as his Strictly experience truly got underway.
The pair looked joyous as they spoke with the camera crew who were documenting their moves. Nick took a break to have a cigarette at one point while chatting to members of the production team, while Nadiya drank a hot beverage.
Metro.co.uk contacted BBC for comment, who said: ‘The Strictly Come Dancing celebrity contestant and professional dancer pairings will be announced, as usual, in the launch show airing in the Autumn and on the official Strictly channels.’
Nick would be in safe hands if they do turn out to be a dancing couple, as Nadiya has been a key part of the series since 2017.
She has been paired with Bros lead singer Matt Goss, EastEnders actor Davood Ghadami, Blue member Lee Ryan, footballer David James, and most successful with Channel 5 presenter Dan Walker – the pair finished in fifth position.
The Ukrainian ballroom and Latin dancer was not given a partner for the 2023 series, with Dan blasting the decision.
‘All the pros are great but gutted to hear that @nadiyabychkova hasn’t got a partner. I’m sure she’s still looking forward to being part of the biggest show on TV but it feels a bit like putting Messi on the bench for the World Cup final! 🤯,’ he wrote after the news broke.
At the time, Nadiya dismissed rumours that her ‘benching’ was due to a lack of chemistry.
‘It wasn’t the case that there was no chemistry between me and the dancers,’ she stated to Mail Online.
‘It’s just, obviously, the bosses’ decision.
‘Unfortunately, this year it was me who wasn’t picked.’
Despite her disappointment, Nadiya – who shares a daughter with ex-Matija Skarabot – tried to see the upside.
‘Career-wise, I’m disappointed, but I get to spend more time with my daughter, which is beautiful. I’m taking all the positives out of it,’ she said.
The 2024 cast only features six women out of the 15 stars signed up for the entertainment show.
This year, the likes of Towie’s Pete Wicks, comedian Chris McCausland, Love Island contestant Tasha Ghouri, Go Compare singer Wynne Evans and JLS singer JB Gill are competing for the glitterball trophy.
They’ll be joined by Nick, former footballer Paul Merson, 80s music icon Toyah Willcox, BBC Morning Live star Dr Punam Krishan and former England hockey player Sam Quek MBE.
Completing the line-up are Gladiators athlete Montell Douglas, Olympic swimmer Tom Dean, EastEnders actor Jamie Borthwick, The X Factor winner Shayne Ward, and Miranda actress Sarah Hadland.
This means that two of the male professional dancers will not be given a partner, and Kai Widdrington is reportedly one of them.
Kai – who dated Nadiya until their split earlier this year – was first paired with TV presenter AJ Odudu when he joined in 2021, before working with Loose Women’s Kaye Adams and then Angela Rippon last year.
‘Kai has become the first casualty of this year’s male-heavy line-up,’ a source has said.
‘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.
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‘He had a great run last series with Angela and is a fan favourite.’
‘They look at everything from height through to chemistry tests to see who will work best together and it’s meant Kai has missed out,’ the source added when speaking to The Sun.
Earlier this year it was reported the booking team on the series were ‘struggling to recruit’ female celebrities for 2024 after the scandals involving pro dancers Giovanni Pernice and Graziano Di Prima.
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Strictly Come Dancing returns to the BBC later this year.
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