BREAKING NEWS: Strictly Come Dancing fans divided as Dani Dyer and Nikita Kuzmin make history
Strictly Come Dancing 2026 fans have questioned whether Dani Dyer has an unfair advantage after being paired with Nikita Kuzmin for the second year running
Dani Dyer and Nikita Kuzmin have been paired togeher for the second time (Image: BBC)
Strictly Come Dancing 2026 has been hit with “unfair advantage” claims. The glamorous BBC series has kicked off another run with fresh celebrity contestants vying to claim the coveted glitterball trophy when the competition concludes. The 15 famous faces participating all discovered which professional dancer they’d be matched with during Saturday’s (September 19) pre-recorded launch episode, which marked the debut of new hosts Emma Willis, Johannes Radebe and Josh Widdicombe.
Love Island series three champion Dani Dyer is returning for another attempt following a devastating injury that forced her withdrawal from last year’s competition. After sustaining a fractured ankle, Dani informed fans: “Apparently, doing the quickstep on a fracture is not advisable. It was so hard because I was having the best time of my life. [After I quit] I couldn’t leave the house, because I knew if someone said to me, ‘Are you OK?’, I’d just cry. It’s been really testing my mental health.”
The pair were originally partnered together for the 2025 series (Image: BBC)
Dani was matched with professional dancer Nikita Kuzmin last year and her place was taken by West End performer and fellow Love Island winner Amber Davies, who made it to the 2025 series final.
During the 2026 launch episode, Dani discovered she’d been coupled with Nikita again, prompting fans to flood social media with their reactions. Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, one viewer wrote: “So Dani and Nikita are reunited yayyy.”
Dani had to pull out of Strictly 2025 due to an injury (Image: BBC)
A second commented: “Love that Dani and Nikita have been paired together again #strictly.” However, one viewer questioned: “Is it fair that Dani has Nikita again? I’m happy about it but Jamie Laing was told he couldn’t have Oti again due to the advantage of having danced together before so I’m surprised the same rule doesn’t apply to Dani.”
Another echoed the sentiment: “I can’t remember how long Nikita and Dani were together for last year, but is that a bit of an unfair advantage as they already know each other.”
After they were paired together, host Johannes pointed out that Dani and Nikita were making history as the first-ever couple to compete twice in the same pairing.
Fans were left divided over Dani and Nikita’s pairing (Image: instagram/nikita__kuzmin)
Speaking to the BBC ahead of the new series, Dani revealed: “I’m probably most nervous about getting out on that dancefloor for the first time and being judged!”.
“I’m quite sensitive and definitely my own biggest critic, I’ll probably overthink everything. But if I’m really honest, my biggest fear is getting injured again.
“I’m going to do everything I can to look after myself, stay positive, and just enjoy every moment of the experience. Doing the Quickstep definitely scares me a little.”
Yet when reflecting on receiving the call, she confessed to shedding tears, admitting: “I didn’t want to assume after everything that happened last year that I would get another chance.
“I can’t wait to finally get the opportunity to properly experience the Strictly journey. I am excited, nervous, and emotional – all the feelings!”.
“But more than anything, I can’t wait to get stuck into learning how to dance and make the most of every single moment. As long as I don’t trip over my own feet I will be happy!”.
