STRICTLY Come Dancing stars Nadiya Bychkova and Kai Widdrington have been dating for months.
In pictures exclusively obtained by The Sun, the Ukrainian looked super-cosy with her Brit lover as they checked into a hotel together during the dance show’s annual tour.
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We can revealed that the couple — who previously said they were “just good friends” — are understood to have started dating after she split last year from footballer Matija Skarabot, dad to her daughter, five, several months ago.
This week they were seen waiting 15 minutes after their co-stars before hooking up — to try to avoid being spotted.
Kai, 26, who joined Strictly last year, brushed 32-year-old Nadiya’s hand as he took her bags into the Dakota in Leeds.
A source said: “It was low-key at first but they can’t help it now — they’re very much together. Kai was outside the hotel for about 15 minutes and waited until everyone else in the touring party had checked in — but Nadiya came along a short while later.
“She handed him her bags, and together they went and checked into a room. It’s clear they’re a proper item.”
Another onlooker said: “Kai and Nadiya didn’t seem at all secretive about their relationship – they’re a couple like any other.”
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‘Always laughing’
Nadiya, who partnered BBC Breakfast host Dan Walker in the last series, grew increasingly close to Kai, who was dancing with presenter AJ Odudu.
An insider explained: “Nadiya and Kai have incredible chemistry and a very strong friendship.
“Right from week one they connected and are always laughing and messing about. Nadiya and Matija actually separated months ago and, obviously, Nadiya confided in Dan at the time. Kai, meanwhile, has also been brilliant and she confided in him throughout the series.”
They added that she was “still a loving co-parent with Matija”.
However, sources say that Matija is furious at recent reports of their split and is contemplating a trip to the UK for showdown talks.
A pal said: “He is in Slovenia, living with her mother and their kid so it’s a bit frosty.
“He was very understanding but it sounds as if the recent developments have angered him somewhat — and he’s keen to shoot over for a proper showdown about the future.
“Matija is tied down by football. He’s been playing in Italy recently, too, but he’s frustrated by the way Nadiya seems to be behaving while he deals with everything back home.”
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