Nikita Kuzmin is 'so gutted' after Dani Dyer is forced to leave Strictly Come Dancing
Strictly pro Nikita Kuzmin would love to team up with Dani Dyer on next year's show after she was forced to quit this series due to injury,
Nikita Kuzmin hopes to team with Dani Dyer on Strictly Come Dancing again in 2026.
The pro dancer was meant to partner up with the former Love Island star on the new series of the BBC Latin and ballroom competition, but she was forced to quit the show after breaking her ankle.
Alongside photos from rehearsals, Nikita wrote: "So so gutted to have finished our journey before it even properly started ... the amount of laughs and fun we had in this short time was unbelievable!
"Really loved our partnership and hope that one day we can actually get to week 1 lol but, heath is the most important thing...
"I’m wishing you the absolute best @danidyerxx you’re so lovely, positive and a wonderful human being!! And it breaks my heart knowing how excited you were to do your absolute best on the show! Hopefully we can pick up next year :)
"Love from #danita or #dakita or #Nani (WE ACTUALLY HAVENT DECIDED ON THE TEAM NAME IN TIME) (sic)"
Dani, 29, revealed this week that she has left Strictly after she "landed funny" during a training session.
She said: "I had a fall on Friday in rehearsals and landed funny.
"I thought I had rolled my foot but it swelled up badly over the weekend and after an MRI scan yesterday, it turns out I have fractured my ankle.
"Apparently doing the quickstep on a fracture is not advisable and the doctors have said I am not allowed to dance so l've had to pull out of the show."
Despite this, Dani still intends to watch this year's Strictly and will be cheering on the other couples instead.
Dani - who is the daughter of actor Danny Dyer - said: "I am so going to miss dancing with Nikita but will of course be watching closely and cheering all the couples on."
Sarah James, the executive producer of BBC Studios, also suggested that Dani could return to Strictly at some stage in the future.
She said: "Dani has brought so much passion, joy and enthusiasm to Strictly, and her partnership with Nikita was off to the most sensational start. Everyone on the show is incredibly sad that she's no longer able to compete in this year's series.
"We send her all our love and best wishes for a swift recovery, and we very much hope to welcome her back to the ballroom in the future."
