Strictly Come Dancing’s 2026 launch proved to be a happy reunion for professional Nikita Kuzmin and contestant Dani Dyer, when the pair were matched up again after their time on the show came to an abrupt end last year. While many fans were overjoyed for them, not all of them were happy with the pairing.
The coupling has sparked debate among viewers online, with some suggesting that Kuzmin and Dyer may now have an advantage over the rest of the competition after dancing together last year.
Dyer, 30, was due to compete on the 2025 series of Strictly with Kuzmin and even performed in the launch show. Just three days after the episode aired, she withdrew from the competition, having fractured her ankle in training, and Kuzmin continued on the show with replacement Amber Davies.
During the Strictly launch show on Saturday (19 September), the cast of 2026 were matched with their professionals through a speed-dancing challenge, which ultimately paired Kuzmin and Dyer up together once again.
Taking to social media after the episode, some fans suggested that Kuzmin and Dyer’s time in training last year may give them an “unfair advantage” in the competition. “I can't remember how long Nikita and Dani were together for last year, but is that a bit of an unfair advantage as they already know each other,” one wrote on X.
“Is it fair that Dani has Nikita again?” another tweeted, adding that when Jamie Laing was forced to pull of the competition in 2019 due to a foot injury, he was not partnered up with his original pro Oti Mabuse the following year when he returned. Instead, the ex Made in Chelsea star competed with Karen Hauer.
Others batted away the idea, with another fan replying: “This year is completely different so yes it is fair. Dani got asked back this year as I don’t think she even got past week 1 last year.” A second wrote: “Think they danced together for like 2 days before the injury whereas Jamie and oti were almost the full two weeks.”
The Independent has contacted the BBC for comment.
The 2026 series continues next week, with this year’s celebrity line-up properly dancing with their professional partners for the first time.
All 15 stars were paired up with their pros in last night’s show, with notable couples including all-female pairing Bethany Antonia and Nancy Xu, as well as new professional Maddie Ingoldsby with Love Island’s Cach Mercer.
The launch also saw new hosts Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe make their presenting debut as a trio. Radebe told The Independent ahead of the launch that presenting would be “evenly distributed” between the three and that they’ve all been helping one another get through the broadcast. “I think Emma held my hand throughout the whole process,” he said.
Strictly Come Dancing returns on Saturday at 6:15pm on BBC One.
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