STRICTLY Come Dancing fans are convinced they have found out the ‘real reason’ pro dancer Kai Widdrington didn’t get a celebrity partner in the series.
Last night’s opening show revealed the professional dancer will be ‘on the bench’ this time around – despite being in Blackpool last year with TV legend Angela Rippon.
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Strictly fans have revealed the ‘real reason’ Kai Widdrington didn’t get a celebrity partner in this seriesCredit: Rex
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Last year he was paired with Angela RipponCredit: PA
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Fans cited Neil Jones as part of the reason why Kai was benched. Credits: PA
Kai is one of three pros to miss a partner this series, with Carlos Gu and Lauren Oakley also without him.
All three will continue to participate in group routines and appear each week on the show.
But fans have taken to online forums to discuss Kai’s omission and believe it could have something to do with fellow pro Neil Jones.
Neil has been known for not regularly landing a celebrity partner and even joked about it on last night’s show.
He showed a video of his daughter Havana wearing a babygro with the slogan ‘My dad FINALLY got a partner’.
And ardent viewers believe that Kai has been moved this year so that Neil can get a partner, as they believe that this, at the age of 41, could be his last series.
One wrote on a digital spy forum dedicated to the series: “I think this could be Neil’s swan song if the BBC has pure professionals.
Another agreed, adding, “I said the possible reason they gave him a partner this year was to see him off. Unless he already planned to leave.”
A third believes that another reason why Neil got a partner instead of Kai is that he is more suited to Toyah Willcox, with whom he was paired.
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They theorized: “I’m not surprised that Neil is paired with Toyah because she seems to want to go the comedy route and Neil could work for that.”
A fourth agreed, weighing in, “Yeah, I get the impression that Neil is one of the more frivolous professionals so I think that might work as well.”
Kai expressed his disappointment earlier this week when he broke his silence on the ‘talk’.
He told the Daily Star: “Everyone wants to get a celebrity.
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Some fans believe this could be Neil’s last series Credits: BBC
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Kai’s ex Nadiya Bychkova was on the bench last year but was partnered with Olympian Tom Dean last nightCredit: BBC
“Unfortunately, it wasn’t my time for this series. Two boys couldn’t have one this series and unfortunately I’m one of them.
“Some of us don’t get partners and that’s how it is.
“Let’s see what happens next year. Hopefully I’ll get it then.”
While Kai hasn’t been without a partner before, his ex-girlfriend and co-star Nadiya Bychkova was left on the bench last year.
Nadiya then expressed her own disappointment.
After the first episode of the latest series, Nadiya told fans: “I’m sure you’ll understand that I’m disappointed not to be partnered with a @bbc celebrity exclusively for this series.”
She continued: “It’s an amazing show to be a part of and I’m still so excited about all the group acts, performing with some of our musicians and more.
“I’m also looking forward to supporting my fellow professionals and wish all couples the best of luck in the competition this year.”
At the time, then-boyfriend Kai was supportive, commenting, “She’s always glowing.”
The couple split in July after two years together.
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Source: HIS Education