AJ Odudu has revealed she’s “happy” for her former Strictly partner Kai Widdrington over his new romance with fellow pro Nadiya Bychkova.
Speaking exclusively to OK!, AJ, 34, opened up about her time on the BBC One dancing show and her partner Kai, who made his debut on the series last year.
Asked if she’s happy for Kai, 26, and his blossoming relationship with Ukrainian-Slovenian dancer Nadiya, 32, AJ replied: “Yeah, of course [I’m happy for them]. I’ve just been so busy and he’s been so busy over the last few months.”
Kai and Nadiya confirmed their romance in April after they were spotted kissing in January.
"It's early days and we've been rehearsing for the Strictly Professionals tour, so there's been very little free time.
"But we're getting to know more and more about each other day by day. He's kind and compassionate and makes me laugh. I feel very relaxed with him," Nadiya told the Daily Mail's Weekend Magazine.
AJ went on to tell us how “supportive” Kai has been of her since they were on the show, where they were forced to pull out of the live final due to AJ’s painful ankle injury.
“I will always be his first dance partner on Strictly and we will always have those incredible dances together to look back on and celebrate,” she says.
“It’s really great that I got to go on that journey with someone as talented as him,” she adds.
The presenter was completely devastated when it became clear she could no longer continue in the competition.
But she says the experience has taught her to be kinder to herself. She told us: “It’s made me realise I need to listen to my body more and be kinder to myself.
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“I get so frustrated with myself and I am the most competitive person, but it made me realise I need to sit back and not be so hard on myself.
"Regardless of how my time played out on Strictly, I still had the most incredible experience.”
She adds: “I loved being a dancer for all those weeks but being a presenter is my first and forever love.”
Fresh from Strictly, the start of this year saw AJ jet to Vietnam to film the second series of Channel 4 challenge show The Bridge after she also had to pull out of the Strictly Live Tour.
“It was perfect serendipity that this job held out for me. The timing was spot on. It’s a brilliant show full of adventure, drama and an incredibly tough challenge and I’m so glad I did it,” she says.
Blackburn-born AJ hosts the show, which sees two teams compete to build a bridge in 12 days to win £200,000, alongside adventurer and explorer Aldo Kane.
The Bridge returns soon to Channel 4.
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