Speculation is mounting that DIY SOS star Nick Knowles has been paired with professional dancer Nadiya Bychkova for the upcoming series of Strictly Come Dancing.
The duo were spotted filming together at a London shopping centre, fuelling rumours that they may be the first confirmed couple for this year’s show.
Images obtained by The Mirror show Knowles, 61, and Bychkova, 35, surrounded by production crews as they recorded scenes for the popular BBC dance competition.
The sighting has sparked excitement among fans eagerly awaiting the return of Strictly to their screens this autumn.
Whilst the BBC has yet to officially announce any pairings, the photographs have led many to believe that Knowles and Bychkova will be hitting the dance floor together when the series airs next month.
The photographs reveal Knowles looking dapper in a full blue suit and brown shoes, whilst Bychkova exuded elegance in a white blouse and blue jeans. The pair were seen laughing and interacting with crew members during the filming session.
Knowles joins a star-studded line-up for the new series, including former footballer Paul Merson, Olympic swimmer Tom Dean, and Love Island’s Tasha Ghouri.
Other contestants include JLS star JB Gill, EastEnders actor Jamie Borthwick, and TV personality Pete Wicks.
The BBC has remained tight-lipped about the official pairings, telling The Mirror: “The 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.”
Fans are eagerly anticipating the return of Strictly Come Dancing, which is set to waltz back onto screens in the coming weeks.
The upcoming series has sparked controversy surrounding professional dancer Kai Widdrington. Reports suggest he may be left without a celebrity partner due to an imbalance of male and female contestants.
An insider told The Sun: “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.”
Despite this setback, Widdrington is expected to remain part of the show, participating in group performances alongside other unselected male dancers.
The BBC has not commented directly on Widdrington’s situation, maintaining that all pairings will be revealed during the launch show.
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This development highlights the challenges faced by producers in balancing the cast for each series of the popular dance competition.
Amy Dowden is set to make a triumphant comeback after missing last year’s series due to her cancer diagnosis. Aljaz Skorjanec will also be returning after departing the show in 2019.
The upcoming series promises a mix of seasoned professionals and fresh talent, with Carlos Gu, Lauren Oakley, and Michelle Tsiakkas joining the ensemble.
Despite the speculation surrounding Nick Knowles and Nadiya Bychkova, the BBC maintains that all official pairings will be revealed during the launch show.
