Strictly Come Dancing star Nikita Kuzmin has been left heartbroken following the death of his beloved grandfather, which he announced on social media
Strictly Come Dancing’s Nikita Kuzmin has been rocked by a death in the family. The dancer took to his social media to confirm the tragic news that his grandfather has passed away.
The Ukrainian-born dancer took to Instagram to post a series of photographs of himself alongside his grandfather, paying an emotional tribute to the man he affectionately dubbed the “quickest grandad in town”.
An emotional Nikita wrote: “Looking at these pictures my heart is beating so fast and I’m not sure what to write or how to even begin expressing how much I love you. Just memories of when I thought you’re the fastest walker in the world and how when I was a teenager. I was proud of speeding past you, but you still were the quickest grandad in town.
“But specially how much you always took care of us, no matter what, always there.” He rounded off the touching post with the words “I love you,” originally written in Russian.
His post, which has been liked over 7,000 times was soon flooded with messages of condolences. Former EastEnders actress Tamzin Outhwaite penned: “Love this tribute Nikita. Sad for you darling but you are so loved.”
Tasha Ghouri commented with two red heart emojis. While Strictly’s Nanxy Xu also shared two heart emojis. One fan said: “I’m so sorry, thinking of you and all the family. seems like a very special man who was and is without a doubt so very proud of you. sending you so so much love.”
A second went on to write: “So so sorry Niki, sending you lots of love. He was so proud of you. Grandpas are what makes us, never forget that.” “Oh Nikita, I am so sorry, Thinking of you and all your family at this very sad time. Sending so much love,” said another.
While a fourth penned: “I am so sorry. My grandad was very similar, I used to always go walking with him. Lots of love to you and your family.” “So sorry for your loss Nikita,” commented a fifth.
The heartbreaking news follows Nikita’s confirmation that he’ll return to Strictly for the 2026 series. Last week, the BBC announced the judges – Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Shirley Ballas and Anton Du Beke – alongside the professional dancers for the forthcoming series.
Coming back from 2025’s line-up are Alexis Warr, Amy Dowden, Aljaz Skorjanec, Dianne Buswell, Johannes Radebe, Jowita Przystal, Julian Caillon, Kai Widdrington, Katya Jones, Lauren Oakley, Nancy Xu, Neil Jones, Vito Coppola, and Carlos Gu, who lifted last year’s glitterball trophy with former England footballer Karen Carney.
The BBC also revealed fresh professionals will be recruited and unveiled nearer to the dance competition’s autumn comeback, replacing Gorka Marquez, Michelle Tsiakkas, Karen Hauer, Nadiya Bychkova and Luba Mushtuk, who have all departed Strictly in recent weeks.
Meanwhile, it’s expected that the show will also announce its two new presenters in the coming days. Fan favourite Johannes Radebe is being lined up to join telly star Emma Willis as the next dynamic duo to front the show.
Willis was one of the top choices, with sources saying she “nailed the chemistry tests and the BBC adore her”. And Johannes is so well-liked that even the celebrities are saying the job is as good as his. A source told The Sun: “During the chemistry tests, he was paired up with every other celeb and did incredibly well. They all think he would be the perfect partner for Emma.”
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