It's only been just over a week since the hit dance competition wrapped up its 2023 series but there is still plenty of glitter and sparkles left for the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special.
16.12.2023 - 20:11 / manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Nikita Kuzmin has been a huge hit with Strictly Come Dancing fans since joining the show in 2021 - and this year he's hotly tipped to go all the way and lift the glitterball trophy. In his third year on the show, the Ukraine-born dancer is part of this season's only same-sex couple with West End star Layton Williams.
The pair wowed the judges with their semi-final performances - topping the night’s leaderboard with a combined score of 116 points from their two dances and last week’s performance. It included a 40 for their Charleston, which earned a rare standing ovation from hard-to-please judge Craig Revel Horwood.
Nikita has spoken of how Strictly "changed everything" for him. But he's remained humble and proud of his roots, calling himself "just a kid from Ukraine" on his Instagram bio.
Nikita is 25 and a Ukraine-born professional dancer who was born in Ukraine and moved to Italy with his family at the age of nine. His parents are Natalia and Ievgen Kuzmin and he has an older sister called Anastasia, who is also a dancer. The siblings remain close and frequently share snaps of their travels on Instagram.
Nikita's love for dance saw him become a six-time Italian Champion in Latin and Ballroom - then the Strictly world came calling. He spent a year on the German version of the show, Let's Dance, as a professional dancer. But becoming of Strictly Come Dancing "changed everything", he has said.
He told the BBC upon joining the show: “I’ve always been amazed by the magic Strictly Come Dancing brings. No matter what country I have found myself living in, I’ve never missed a chance to watch it. And joining it as a professional dancer is my big chance to make some magic on the most famous dance floor. I can’t wait to give it
It's only been just over a week since the hit dance competition wrapped up its 2023 series but there is still plenty of glitter and sparkles left for the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special.
BBC Strictly judge Craig Revel Horwood is known for being the show's panto villain so fans were left surprised after the 58-year-old appeared emotional during Saturday night's final.
One of the Strictly Come Dancing judges looks 'set to be replaced' next year after fans issued a complaint saying it "drives me mad". Saturday night's (December 16) final saw Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Shirley Ballas and Anton Du Beke on the judging panel for the last time this year.
Strictly Come Dancing judge Craig Revel Horwood is said to have been 'overwhelmed' during the 2023 final after a telling moment in which he tried to fight back tears. The latest run of the BBC One dance contest came to an end on Saturday night (December 16).
Ellie Leach was crowned the winner of Strictly Come Dancing 2023 alongside professional dancer Vito Coppola, and she had a sweet message for her dance partner after they lifted the Glitterball trophy. Ex-Coronation Street actress Ellie, 22, was completely stunned when Tess Daly, 54, and Claudia Winkelman, 51, announced she'd won, while Vito, 31, was immediately overcome with emotion and broke down in tears.
Strictly Come Dancing fans have said those in the ballroom appeared 'too chilled out' when Ellie Leach's 'life was risked' during the final. The former Coronation Street star made it to the end of the BBC One dance contest on Saturday night (December 16) with pro dance partner Vito Coppola.
Strictly Come Dancing judge Craig Revel Horwood has let slip who he wants to see claim the glitterball trophy tonight just hours ahead of this series' highly-anticipated final.
Bobby Brazier has made it all the way to the Strictly Come Dancing finals with the help of his professional dancing partner, Dianne Buswell. For the last few months, the 20 year old EastEnders actor has won the hearts of the Strictly judges and the nation, thanks to his top notch dancing skills, bubbly personality and cheeky smile.
Arlene Phillips has defended Strictly Come Dancing finalist Layton Williams who has faced backlash for being on the popular BBC show.
Johannes Radebe has broken his silence on his exit from Strictly Come Dancing with an emotional message to his dance partner Annabel Croft. The professional dancer and former tennis player narrowly missed out on a spot in the final after finding themselves in the dance-off on Sunday (Dec 10).
Craig Revel Horwood disagreed with his fellow judges at the Strictly Come Dancing semi-final as he opted to save Annabel Croft over Bobby Brazier - despite judges Motsi Mabuse, Anton Du Beke and Shirley Ballas voting in favour of saving the latter. Craig, 58, was the third judge to vote, leaving head judge Shirley, 62, to cast the deciding vote.
Strictly Come Dancing star Vito Coppola has shared his advice to Ellie Leach as he reacted to the news they had made it through to the final. The pair wowed in the ballroom over the weekend as they competed in the semi-final of the BBC One dance contest.
Strictly Come Dancing's 2023 finalists have been confirmed after a sad final exit. It's been 12 weeks since 14 celebrities first appeared in the ballroom after signing up for this year's run of the BBC One dance contest.
Shirley Ballas has dismissed any accusations of 'bias' as the made the final decision during the last Strictly Come Dancing results show. It was a crucial night in the ballroom on Saturday night as the remaining four couples danced twice for a place in the grand final.
It was an emotional night as the final couple to leave Strictly Come Dancing made a sad exit with just a week to go until the final. Saturday night's semi-final saw epic routines, standing ovations and plenty of tears with only three couples getting to go through for one last chance at lifting the Glitterball trophy.
Strictly Come Dancing fans were wondering if they saw what they thought they did during Layton Williams and Nikita Kuzmin's perfect-scoring routine as they once again stole the show. The pair were back in the ballroom on Saturday night (December 9) for the semi-final of the BBC One dance contest.
Craig Revel Horwood went against his fellow judges during the latest Strictly Come Dancing results - after fans claimed to spot his 'dislike' with one of the show's couples. It was a crucial night in the ballroom on Saturday night (December 9) as there were three places in the final at stake.
Strictly Come Dancing star Layton Williams slammed so-called 'fans' of the show before it was revealed he had made it through to the final. The actor and West End star had another amazing weekend in the ballroom with dance partner Nikita Kuzmin.
According to Strictly Come Dancing fans, 'tension' between the judges and one of the celebrity contestants has been 'confirmed' after a telling comment from Motis Mabuse. It was the semi-final of the BBC One dance contest on Saturday night (December 9) and the remaining four couples performed twice for the judges and the voting public watching at home
Strictly Come Dancing fans have said someone 'should go to prison' as they complained about the choice of dance for Annabel Croft. The tennis ace made it to the semi-final of the BBC One dance contest on Saturday night (December 9) with dance partner Johannes Radebe.