Who is Kai Widdrington? Meet Strictly Come Dancing professional dancer

Kai Widdrington joined Strictly Come Dancing in 2021 and his since then had 3 celebrity partners and even got as far as far as third place with AJ Odudu his first year on the show.

Despite his popularity with viewers – having previously made the finals of Britain's Got Talent – Widdrington was one of the unfortunate pros to miss out on a celebrity partner last year but this year is back on the dance floor with the likes of reality TV legend Vicky Pattison.

If you're eager to find out more, here's everything you need to know about Kai Widdrington.

Who is Kai Widdrington?

Age: 30

Instagram: @kaiwidd

X/Twitter: @Kaiwidd

With a father and brother who are both professional footballers, Kai Widdrington nearly had a very different career by following in their footsteps, but at 12 years old he chose dancing over a Premier League contract.

It was a move that paid off as he became Junior World Latin American champion two years later, and in 2012 reached the final of Britain's Got Talent with dance partner Natalia Jeved.

In 2014, Kai competed in Britain's Got Talent once again as part of ballroom dance group Kings & Queens, which also featured future Strictly professionals Katya and Neil Jones. Kings & Queens were eventually eliminated during the fifth live semi-final, losing to vocal group Jack Pack.

In 2017, Kai was announced as a professional dancer for the first season of Dancing with the Stars - the Irish edition of Strictly - competing for four years in a row until 2020. He came second in both 2018 and 2020, so here's hoping he'll go all the way on Strictly one day!

When he first joined Strictly in 2021, it wasn't his first appearance on the show; he previously danced with Amy Dowden during the professionals' Remembrance Day 2020 routine.

Previously Kai has had three celebrity partners on the show, AJ Odudu in 2021 where they achieved a podium finish of third place. He then saw an early entry in 2022 of 15th place with Kaye Adams but got further with Angela Rippon to 6th position in 2023.

But despite his previous appearances on the show, he wasn't part of the line-up in 2024.

"Everyone wants to get a celebrity," he told the Daily Star. "Unfortunately, it wasn’t my time this series. Two boys couldn’t have one this series, and sadly I am one of them."

However, he remained optimistic about Strictly 2025, adding: "Some of us don’t get partners and that’s the way it is. Let’s see what happens next year. Hopefully, I’ll get one then."

Who is Kai paired with on Strictly Come Dancing 2025?

The dancer is coupled up with reality TV star Vicky Pattison.

What has Kai said about being on Strictly Come Dancing?

Kai has been a fan of Strictly Come Dancing for a long time, having watched the show ever since it began back in 2004.

When he joined the show back in 2021, he said: "This is my childhood dream come true. Watching Strictly from the very first series as a young boy from Southampton and now 18 years later, to be a professional dancer on the show is the most amazing feeling and the biggest accomplishment of my career."

When does Strictly Come Dancing 2025 air?

The next Strictly Come Dancing 2025 live show will air at 6:30pm on Saturday 15th November on BBC One.

All the remaining celebrities will be performing, the judges will be scoring, and the public will be voting. Grab your sequins and get ready for another epic show!

Strictly Come Dancing continues on BBC One and iPlayer on Saturday 15th November at 6:30pm.

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