The dancer opens up about marriage and babies, and who could fill Tess and Claudia’s shoes

He came second with Amber Davies in his fifth year on Strictly Come Dancing, as well as taking on a 30-date arena tour with 2023 partner Layton Williams and the rest of the Strictly gang. So, it’s understandable Nikita Kuzmin needs a break before he goes back on the road with his tour, Burn The Floor: Supernova, in June.

‘I’m looking forward to being normal at home for a bit!’ the dancer, 28, laughs.

Away from the floor, Ukrainian-born Nikita is happily loved-up with his partner of nearly three years, Lauren Jaine. Here, he talks almost lifting the coveted Glitterball trophy (twice), the celebrity partners he’s still close to, and why he’ll have to negotiate a dream wedding with Lauren…

Are you still in touch with any of your past dance partners?

I’ve just finished working with Layton and Amber, but I am in touch with Sam Quek, Tilly Ramsay and Ellie Simmonds. I’ve been really lucky to be partnered with wonderful people and clicked with all of them. Even Dani Dyer [who had to quit due to injury] – we were having the most fun. I’d love to dance with her on a future series.

nikita and amber on strictly 2025 ©BBC/Kieron McCarron

What do you think about contestants who have past dance experience?

At a certain point, you’ve just got to get on board, girl. Trust me, when I was performing with either Amber or Layton, the haters were silent! You don’t have to vote for them, just enjoy it.

Do you think you’ll finally win the show this year?

I stopped saying that a long time ago – it’s not happened yet. I only have a Glitterball trophy from the arena tour. It’s on my mantlepiece – it was next to the shower upstairs, but nobody really saw it there.

Who’s your dream partner?

Maybe, if I’m still on the show in 10 years, Claudia Winkleman could come back. Whoever takes over her and Tess Daly’s hosting roles has humongous shoes to fill.

Can we hear wedding bells with Lauren soon?

In a couple of years, I’d love to marry Lauren. It’s just a gorgeous moment. I’m a very romantic person, and feel really lucky to have found her. Lauren would love a huge wedding, but I’d want a private one. We’ll definitely have to come to an agreement, because I don’t have the money for 1,000 people!

with his missus, lauren ©Alan Chapman/Dave Benett/Getty Images

Would you ask the Strictly pros to be your groomsmen?

Yes, it’d be really cool. But I’d love my dad to be my best man. My parents sacrificed everything for me – he deserves that role.

Would you like to be a dad in the future?

Hopefully, one day, we’ll be lucky enough to have more than one kid. I think that’s the reason we’re put on Earth – to grow them into whoever they want to be.

You speak openly about living with type 1 diabetes – do you get a lot of messages from fans?

Olympians and Paralympians motivated me when I was a kid, so if I can play a small part in doing that for somebody else, I’ve done my job. One of the best things is when kids show me their sensors. Diabetes is my superpower – it’s not easy, but you can do anything you want to. I can’t wait to run the London Marathon for Diabetes UK.

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Do you ever worry about how your condition affects your dancing?

The danger with diabetes is with your eyes and legs, so it’d affect my whole livelihood. Keeping it stable can be hard, especially when I feel terrible and still need to perform.

You came runner-up on Celebrity Big Brother in 2024 – are you still in touch with any of the housemates?

Definitely. Especially with Bradley [Riches], Colson [Smith], David [Potts] and Marisha [Wallace]. I love Sharon [Osbourne]. We don’t speak daily, but we have a special bond.

What can fans expect from the tour?

I’ll be showing off my personality and interacting with the audience a lot – every show is going to be different. It’s exciting. I’m living my dream.