Nadiya Bychkova and Kai Widdrington have appeared to finally confirm their romance as they were spotted kissing in a hotel bar on Thursday.
The Strictly Come Dancing professionals have been at the centre of romance rumours for weeks as they’ve been reported to have grown close in the wake of Nadiya’s split from fiancé Matija Škarabot.
And Nadiya, 31, certainly seems to have moved on as she locked lips with fellow dancer Kai, 26, in what appeared to be the lobby of Newcastle’s Malmaison hotel.
Confirmation: Nadiya Bychkova and Kai Widdrington have appeared to confirm their romance as they were spotted kissing in a hotel bar on Thursday
The pair could be seen leaning in close as they shared an intimate moment together during a cosy coffee date.
Ukrainian-Slovenian beauty Nadiya was seen earlier leaving the hotel in Gateshead where the Strictly stars are staying and jumping into cab to meet Kai at the Malmaison.
She stopped at a coffee shop next door to grab them both a drink before joining him for a cosy 30 minute date away from their fellow dancers.
Cosy: The Strictly pros have been at the centre of romance rumours for weeks as they’ve been reported to have grown close in the wake of Nadiya’s split from fiancé Matija Škarabot
The pair then left the hotel separately to rejoin everyone else at the arena to continue the next leg of the Strictly live tour.
A source told The Sun of their meeting: ‘They didn’t seem to care who could see them. It’s clear they’re massively loved up.’
The insider continued: ‘Nadiya and Kai met away from the other dancers and celebrities, who were a mile up the road in the Travelodge. She had bought Kai a coffee from Starbucks next door and they talked and cuddled before having a kiss.’
Love is in the air: Nadiya, 32, and Kai, 26, could be seen leaning in close as they shared an intimate moment together during a cosy coffee date
Secret date: Nadiya was seen earlier leaving the hotel in Gateshead where the Strictly stars are staying and jumping into cab to meet Kai at the Malmaison
Ex-partner: Nadiya recently split from fiancé Slovenian footballer Matija Škarabot
They added the pair didn’t want anybody ‘gossiping’ as there’s already been ‘so much speculation.’
The publication reports that the couple shared their first kiss at the end of week one on the main Strictly show – despite strong Covid restrictions in place at the time.
A second source confirmed that despite Nadiya’s close friendship with her celebrity partner Dan Walker and rumours Kai was dating AJ Odudu, Nadiya has been ‘single a while’ and Kai was ‘never dating AJ’ – adding that romance struck when they were both ‘free agents’.
Alone time: She stopped at a coffee shop next door to grab them both a drink before joining him for a cosy 30 minute date away from their fellow dancers
Romance: A source told The Sun of their meeting: ‘They didn’t seem to care who could see them. It’s clear they’re massively loved up’
Secret date: The pair then left the hotel separately to rejoin everyone else at the arena to continue the next leg of the Strictly live tour
They added that the relationship is ‘early days’ but the couple are ‘happy’.
MailOnline have contacted representatives of Nadiya and Kai for comment.
It’s been said Nadiya had been separated from her ex-partner ‘months ago’ and footballer Matija is ‘furious’ about recent reports concerning their love life.
While last week, The Sun claimed Nadiya and Kai’s behaviour has been ‘raising eyebrows’ behind-the-scenes.
A source told the publication: ‘Nadiya is incredibly flirty and it has certainly raised eyebrows.’
Nothing going on: A second source confirmed that despite Nadiya’s close friendship with her partner Dan Walker and rumours Kai was dating AJ Odudu, Nadiya has been ‘single a while’
Just rumours: The source added: ‘Kai was ‘never dating AJ’ – adding that romance struck when they were both ‘free agents’
Kai was meant to be joined on tour by AJ Odudu, who he was paired with on the latest series and had reportedly been striking up a romance with at the same time, but she has been ruled out due to a leg injury.
A source added to the publication: ‘AJ and Kai got really close during the show and their chemistry was electric.
‘She’s obviously gutted not to be on the tour while her ankle heals and she is shocked that Kai has already seemingly moved on by comforting Nadiya.
‘Nadiya is incredibly flirty and it has certainly raised eyebrows.
‘AJ was also not happy when she then heard about Nadiya flirting with her own dance partner Dan Walker.’
Close: Kai was meant to be joined on tour by AJ Odudu, who he was paired with on the latest series and had reportedly been striking up a romance with at the same time, but she has been ruled out due to a leg injury
Not impressed: She’s obviously gutted not to be on the tour while her ankle heals and she is shocked that Kai has already seemingly moved on by comforting Nadiya’
A representative for Nadiya had been contacted by MailOnline for further comment at the time.
During their time on Strictly together, AJ and Kai were at the centre of strong romance rumours and at times did little to quash the speculation.
Amid their romantic Waltz during Musicals Week back in November, the two set tongues wagging as they teased a kiss during the performance.
Ahead of their dance, choreographer Kai teased that he wanted to kiss AJ as he encouraged her to get into character as lovebirds Maria and Captain von Trapp.
After larking around on a hill as they mimicked the 1965 film, Kai jokingly stared at AJ as if he wanted to go in for a peck on the lips with the TV presenter, with AJ quipping: ‘I’m not gonna kiss ya!’
Look of love? During their time on Strictly together, AJ and Kai were at the centre of strong romance rumours and at times did little to quash the speculation
Speculation: Ahead of their dance, choreographer Kai teased that he wanted to kiss AJ as he encouraged her to get into character as lovebirds Maria and Captain von Trapp
Defending his actions, Kai replied: ‘But we’re getting into character’, and as AJ sighed and turned away, the deflated dancer said: ‘OK.’
And as they later took to the dancefloor, the chemistry between them continued as they performed a sensational routine, with the ending seeing them gaze into each other’s eyes as the music faded.
Elsewhere, ahead of her romance being confirmed, it was said that Nadiya’s celebrity partner from last year’s series, Dan, 44, became ‘pillar of strength and support’ after her break-up.
Sources close to the stunning dancer revealed that she had been confiding in Dan after accepting the fact that her long-distance relationship with Matija was no longer working.
Dan has been married to wife Sarah for 21 years and the couple have three children.
One source told MailOnline: ‘Dan and Nadiya have such a great bond and he has been a pillar of strength and support for her following the breakup with Matija.
A friend indeed: Elsewhere, ahead of her romance being confirmed, it was said that Nadiya’s celebrity partner from last year’s series, Dan, 44, became ‘pillar of strength and support’ after her break-up
Sweet: Dan supported Nadiya with everything, including her breakup, which only made their partnership stronger. He even grew close to her mother and daughter, who really enjoyed watching them dance together on Strictly
‘The bond between them started during Strictly, leaving the cast and crew surprised at how close they became. They were literally inseparable and got on so well and this has continued even now the series is over.’
Another source added: ‘Dan supported Nadiya with everything, including her breakup, which only made their partnership stronger.
‘He even grew close to her mother and daughter, who really enjoyed watching them dance together on Strictly.
‘Dan and Nadiya enjoy a deep and special bond, which has really helped her to get on with her new life following the split.’
Trio: Dan had been a great support to Nadiya following her break-up and inevitably amid her blossoming romance with Kai (the three of them pictured at dinner earlier this month)
It comes as Nadiya and Kai’s budding romance looks set to continue on the road as the dance pros have signed up for The Professionals UK Tour.
The 36-date show starts at the end of April, a matter of weeks after the conclusion of the Strictly Live tour where the pair have been getting close backstage following Nadiya’s split from fiancé Matija, which was exclusively revealed by MailOnline.
A source close to the Strictly stars told MailOnline they feel the pair’s extended time together on the road, up and down the UK, will only bring them closer together and fuel more talk of a blossoming relationship.
The insider said: ‘It’s no secret Nadiya and Kai are incredibly fond of each other.
‘Their chemistry is obvious and they’ll be looking forward to spending more time on the road together.
‘It’ll essentially be another month in each other’s company, so it could either make or break them.’
Nadiya, who was partnered with presenter Dan Walker, 44, on the most recent series of Strictly, ended her engagement to Slovenian footballer Matija, the father of her five-year-old daughter.
‘Chemistry’: It comes as their budding romance looks set to continue on the road as the dance pros have signed up for The Professionals UK Tour
A source told MailOnline that Nadiya realised her long-distance relationship with Matija, 33, wasn’t working and, while they continue to co-parent their daughter, they are no longer a couple.
An insider revealed: ‘Nadiya and Matija haven’t been together for some time now.
‘Matija is dedicated to his footballing career in Slovenia and Nadiya is predominantly based in London.
‘Performing on Strictly and the Strictly Live Tour takes up half her year, in the end the commitment to their jobs made it too difficult for the relationship to work.
‘There’s still a lot of love and respect between them and Mila is and always will be their priority.’
‘It could make them’: The 36-date show starts at the end of April, a matter of weeks after the conclusion of the Strictly Live tour where the pair have been getting close backstage
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