STRICTLY siren Nadiya Bychkova is no stranger to a man with two left feet – having taught celeb hopefuls including David James and Matt Goss to dance.
But for the BBC show’s Christmas edition she is taking on a whole new challenge after being paired with Larry Lamb — its oldest ever male contestant at 75.
Stunning Strictly siren Nadiya Bychkova posing for her 2023 calendar
Nadiya told how Larry Lamb fought back from a secret health problem to make his dancefloor debut
And getting the former EastEnders and Gavin & Stacey actor up on his feet has not been easy, as pro dancer Nadiya told how he fought back from a secret health problem to make his dancefloor debut.
In an exclusive interview, she said: “It’s incredible he’s going to be dancing.
“It’s quite a challenge because he couldn’t walk a couple of years ago because of some health problems and some operations.
“It’s not my thing to say really, but for him now to dance, it’s exciting.
“Larry is a legend, people love him. When I found out and told everyone, people couldn’t believe it. It’s Christmas and it’s fun, so I’m really looking forward to it.”
Nadiya, 33 — looking sensational in our main picture which was shot for her 2023 calendar — has started training with Larry for the one-off Strictly special, to be filmed in the coming days.
They will compete against celebrities such as former Girls Aloud singer Nicola Roberts and BBC radio presenter Rickie Haywood-Williams in the show, which will air on Christmas Day.
And while Nadiya is at the peak of her fitness after competing in this year’s series with her now eliminated partner Matt Goss, she is understandably taking things slowly with Larry.
She said: “We started training a week ago. We don’t get much time and for now we’re just enjoying the music.”
And when she is not on the dance floor, Nadiya is catching up with reruns of sitcom Gavin & Stacey, which starred Larry as Mick Shipman for three years from 2007.
She said with a laugh: “I’ve been introduced a little bit slowly, yes.
“It is a classic, isn’t it? Probably during Christmas I will try and catch up with some box sets.”
Since she and Matt bowed out in week four, she has been watching the contest from the audience.
And after singer and actress Kym Marsh became the tenth contestant to leave, Nadiya said it showed that having a background in enter-tainment doesn’t always work in their favour.
She said: “I would not say it gives them an advantage. Naturally it helps — every experience helps with that.
“If you are an actor, that will help you with some things and if you had some dance experience, it might help you understand other things.
“As a musician, the rhythm might help you, so whatever you have with you always helps, but this is a completely different thing.
“Once the camera is on, the pressure is on, and it’s something they’ve never done before. It is challenging, and I think they are all really enjoying it.
“Kym did an incredible job, but someone has to go, unfortunately. We all wish we were still dancing, but it is incredible to watch the show too.”
Nadiya, who is from Ukraine, joined Strictly in 2017 and quickly became a favourite among fans, but she has yet to partner a winner.
The nearest she came was with EastEnders actor Davood Ghadami in her debut series, and with former BBC Breakfast host Dan Walker last year, with the couples both reaching the quarter-finals.
The near misses are only fuelling her ambition on the show, and Nadiya says she wants to dance for as long as possible as a professional before considering her next move.
She said: “Right now I feel physically fit and able and I am still enjoying being a performer.
“As long as I can be as good as I can, I will enjoy it. But you do feel it in your body — every athlete does — because physically you need to be fit, so you just need to be aware of it.
“Strictly is a great place to be and we have the best producers we can dream of. Right now, I don’t think the line-up of professionals has ever been better, and somehow it’s getting better and better every year. It feels like I am in the right place for the moment.”
Before she does eventually bow out, Nadiya says she has her dream contestant in mind — Prince William.
She added: “People say the Royal Family are fans of the show. If we could get him on the show before he becomes King, that would be quite the signing.”
As for following former pro Anton Du Beke, who replaced Bruno Tonioli as a full-time judge in September, Nadiya said: “Oh yes. It is definitely something I would love to focus on.
“It would be incredible. It is tough to be on that panel, it’s not easy, and obviously we’re still human beings, and we have our own opinion.
“We have things we like, and things we don’t, which is fair. We have four judges, and people vote for who they want to keep in the competition.
“I think I would be a fair judge. I love my skill. I know what I would love to see, and I also know how difficult it is to be by their side and they’re all working so hard.
“I think Anton does an incredible job because he’s been there, so he understands both sides.
“I would like to choreograph and produce other things as well. It will definitely still be connected to dancing, and I think life will guide you.”
Last year Nadiya quietly ended her engagement to Slovenian footballer Matija Škarabot — with whom she shares a six-year-old daughter — and months later she began dating fellow Strictly professional dancer Kai Widdrington.
They went public with their romance in January, after they were photographed kissing in a Newcastle hotel while on the Strictly live tour.
Nadiya is adamant her relationship with Matija was not a victim of the notorious Strictly curse, which has seen numerous couples split after an appearance in the show.
She said: “I believe it’s a blessing. Kristina (Rihanoff) and Ben (Cohen) are getting married.
“So many people have found love through the show. It is beautiful. We’re lucky to be on the show.”
In the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine Nadiya is working hard to reunite her family.
She has managed to get her mum Larysa to the UK but her grandma is still stranded there.
She said: “Mummy is going there for Christmas as it is my grandmother’s birthday too. We couldn’t get her to the UK for now because she’s old and connections and flights are very difficult.
“I couldn’t go and get her because I’m doing Strictly, but hopefully in the New Year she will be here with us all.”
- Additional reporting: Julie-Ann Trainor.
Matt Goss and Nadiya during the live show
Nadiya began dating fellow Strictly professional dancer Kai Widdrington
Nadiya’s 2023 calendar cover
