STRICTLY FANS ERUPT AS NADIYA BYCHKOVA MAKES SURPRISE RETURN — VIEWERS PRAISE HER ‘DIGNIFIED’ COMEBACK

There was a familiar face back in the Strictly Come Dancing world this week — and fans were absolutely delighted to see her.

Nadiya Bychkova returned to It Takes Two on October 2, just months after leaving the professional line-up that she had been part of for nine years.

The 37-year-old appeared alongside host Ellie Taylor and fellow former Strictly stars Jay McGuinness and Kimberley Walsh, joining the panel to discuss some of this year’s upcoming dances.

For fans who had missed seeing her on the show, her return quickly became one of the highlights of the episode.

NADIYA WAS BACK — BUT THIS TIME AS A GUEST

Nadiya was asked about Dani Dyer’s upcoming foxtrot and was full of praise for the Love Island star’s dancing.

She highlighted Dani’s “beautiful” arm lines and admitted she was looking forward to seeing the performance.

She also discussed dog trainer Graeme Hall’s foxtrot, predicting that it would be “great” because he was clearly enjoying his Strictly experience.

Later in the episode, Nadiya returned to discuss Cach’s next dance, praising the opportunity for him to show his “musicality, rhythm and personality.”

But it was Nadiya herself who ended up attracting plenty of attention.

‘I’VE MISSED YOU DIVA’

As soon as she appeared, fans took to social media to celebrate her return.

One viewer wrote: “Nadiya Bychkova, I’ve missed you diva.”

Another praised her appearance as “talented” and “dignified”, while taking aim at the decision to remove her from the professional line-up.

“Lovely to see the talented, dignified Nadiya on Strictly It Takes Two,” they wrote.

Another fan simply said it was “so good to have Nadiya back.”

The reaction showed just how much affection remains for the dancer, even though her time as a Strictly professional has officially come to an end.

THE EXIT THAT LEFT FANS DISAPPOINTED

Nadiya’s departure was confirmed in March after nine years on the programme.

The BBC thanked her for her “incredible contribution”, praising the “elegance, artistry and unwavering dedication” she had brought to the ballroom since joining in 2017.

She was one of five professional dancers to leave this year, alongside Karen Hauer, Gorka Marquez, Luba Mushtuk and Michelle Tsiakkas.

In her statement, Nadiya described the change as a new chapter in her journey and thanked her partners, fellow professionals, judges, production team and the viewers who had supported her throughout the years.

She also reflected on joining Strictly as an athlete and double world champion.

But her Strictly story may not be finished yet.

NADIYA HAS ALREADY TEASED ANOTHER RETURN

Before appearing on It Takes Two, Nadiya had already made it clear that she would be open to finding another role within the Strictly family.

Asked whether she could return, she told Hello magazine: “Absolutely. It is absolutely on the cards.”

She revealed that discussions had taken place about potentially choreographing professional numbers in the future, something she described as a natural direction because of her passion for creating and choreographing.

And after seeing her back on It Takes Two, fans now have another reason to believe that leaving the professional line-up does not necessarily mean saying goodbye to Strictly altogether.

For Nadiya, the ballroom may have changed — but her connection to Strictly clearly hasn’t disappeared.