AJ Odudu has revealed she is still ‘chatting’ to her Strictly Come Dancing partner Kai Widdrington as she reflected on the show not ending the way she ‘truly wanted’.
The TV presenter, 33, was forced to bow out of the BBC series in the days before the final after she injured her foot, leaving her unable to dance.
The star sparked romance rumours with Kai, 26, throughout their time on the show and confirmed they are keeping in touch during an Instagram video on Wednesday.
Video: AJ Odudu has revealed she is still ‘chatting’ to her Strictly Come Dancing partner Kai Widdrington as she reflected on the show not ending the way she ‘truly wanted’
Explaining her lack of video updates, she said: ‘I just went off to cry for days. Then I went to work and now I’m back.
‘I just feel really happy now because essentially what I’ve realised is that, yes, Strictly didn’t end in the way that I truly wanted it to end but I’m still really grateful for the whole experience which was overwhelmingly positive.
‘I just feel grateful that I was part of the series that was the most inclusive and progressive that it’s ever been and long live that kind of diversity on our screens.
‘I’ve made the best friends and had the best time and yes, I’m still chatting to Kai so everything is good.’
Close: The star sparked romance rumours with Kai, 26, throughout their time on the show and confirmed they are keeping in touch during an Instagram video on Wednesday
AJ added that she is looking forward to spending the festive period with her family and thanked her followers for their messages after her injury.
She said: ‘Now it’s Christmas and just like Santa, I have got little helpers. My mum’s been here, my youngest sister has flown in.
‘Just want to say thank you for all your well wishes, it’s really got me through these last few days and all your support throughout the months and weeks.
‘I couldn’t have asked for kinder messages and better support so thank you and merry Christmas.’
Disappointed: AJ was forced to bow out of the BBC series in the days before the final after she injured her foot, leaving her unable to dance
The video comes after AJ told how she was ‘missing’ Kai in a sweet Instagram post she shared on Tuesday.
The presenter shared a slew of pictures of her and Kai together, many showing Kai carrying the star on his back.
AJ also added a video from the final on Saturday, with Kai giving her a piggyback across the dancefloor after she injured her foot and had to withdraw from the competition.
Alongside the photos, she wrote: ‘Just missing @kaiwidd being my personal mode of transport TBH. I really did have his back.’
Aww: AJ recently admitted that she was ‘missing’ Kai in a sweet post
Joker: Alongside the photos, she wrote: ‘Just missing @kaiwidd being my personal mode of transport TBH. I really did have his back’
Speculation: The post did nothing to quell the romance rumours about the couple during the course of the show and many fans took to the comments to beg the pair to get together
The post did nothing to squash the romance rumours about the couple during the course of the show and many fans took to the comments to beg the pair to get together.
One follower wrote: ‘Keep checking to see if you’ve got married yet to each other xx’.
While another commented: ‘if you’re not together, I’ll hand deliver you both Oscars I swear’.
A third echoed: ‘Aren’t you two together! C’mon did we all imagine the blazing romance?’
On Saturday’s final, AJ took the time to pay a heartfelt tribute to Kai – and their ‘unbreakable bond.’
She said: ‘I literally would not have been here without Kai. Learning to dance has truly been the biggest joy and every single week we have said ‘dance like it’s your last.
Injured: She also added a video from the final on Saturday, with Kai giving her a piggyback across the dancefloor after she injured her foot and had to withdraw from the competition
‘And I’m so glad we did that from week one because we didn’t know that our last dance was our last dance. We didn’t know. But I am glad that our last dance(s), plural, I’m glad that they were brilliant and everyone enjoyed them as much as we did.’
The choreographer responded: ‘This girl just every week outdoes herself. Every week when I come into the training room I feel like the most luckiest professional to be in the room with a woman like this. She is the most strongest character, even after the setbacks that we’ve had.
‘She’s made my first season on Strictly the best experience ever and this will always hold a place special in my heart. We didn’t get the chance to dance tonight, but my God does she look the part!’
It comes after it was reported that the pair are being lined up for one last Strictly appearance after she was unable to take part in the final.
Speaking to The Sun, a show source said: ‘The winner of the show returns to perform again for one dance when the series starts up again and it’s been suggested AJ could be allowed to come back for one last turn on the dance floor.
‘Nothing has been decided yet but, if they can make schedules line up, AJ could be back for a final spin.’
This would not be the only occasion a celebrity has been invited back, as Nicola Adams and Katya Jones returned for a special routine after they were forced out by Covid last year.
The source added: ‘The idea of allowing AJ to perform one last routine is something they’d love to make happen.’
‘It’s something they’d love to make happen’: Strictly Come Dancing bosses are reportedly lining up AJ and Kai for a final spin on the dancefloor