Strictly fans are dismayed as doubt is gathering over the future of one series mainstay beyond the current outing.
A public split from fellow pro Kai Widdrington and an early elimination from the competition has convinced viewers to expect an exit soon.
Nadiya Bychkova, who has danced in the Strictly ballroom since 2017, recently split from fellow pro Widdrington after two years of dating.
The Ukranian 35-year-old began dating Widdrington, 29, during the 2022 series of the hit dancing program.
However, the two-year romance came to an end earlier this year with a seemingly frosty relationship now existing between the two.
When asked about her former beau, Bychkova admitted: "We work together but we are not friends and that’s okay."
Bychkova and Widdrington split earlier this year
BBC
Speaking to The Mirror, the Ukrainian pro assured viewers that her dances with Widdrington as part of the show would still be “amazing because I’m a professional”.
Things went from bad to worse for Bychkova as she became the first Strictly pro to be voted off the show with celeb partner and former Olympian Tom Dean - losing the Week One dance-off to Toyah Willcox and pro partner Neil Jones.
Rumours of an acrimonious split were enhanced when Widdrington did not join other Strictly pros in commiserating Dean and Bychkova on social media.
Widdrington raised eyebrows when he chose instead to “like” an Instagram from Jones and Willcox celebrating their survival in the competitionn Instagram from Jones and Willcox celebrating their survival in the competition, at the expense of his former flame.
Bychkova was the first Strictly pro to leave this year's competition
Fans have been discussing the threat of a “mass exodus” of pros after the current series on social media, with Bychkova seen as a potential leaver.
One fan cited her early elimination and a “bad breakup causing friction behind the scenes” as a worry for her future on the program.
Another felt the Ukranian dancer would be growing tired of being paired with lacklustre celebs as the debate erupted on the likes of X and Reddit.
“Nadiya has never been given a good partner apart from Davood Ghadami, she’s always partnered with the tall and lanky and nearly always never has someone with potential," one fan pointed out.
A second agreed: “Nadiya gets shafted year after year because she's the only one who won't look silly next to the inevitable 6'5 sportsman casting. Give her a break.”
A third felt Widdrington was another potential leaver but claimed he would “stay if Nadiya leaves”.
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At the time of writing, there has been no word from Bychkova's camp as to whether she is contemplating her future on the show.
Both Bychkova and Widdrington have continued to take part in Strictky’s pro ensemble dances and are background regulars in host Claudia Winkelman’s so-called "Clauditorium”.
