Are Any Of The Strictly Dancers From Ukraine?

Strictly dancers Nikita Kuzmin, 24, and Nadiya Bychkova, 32, are of Ukrainian descent.

Strictly professional James Jordan, 43, had called on the show’s Russian dancers to comment on the unrest in Ukraine.

He tweeted: ‘I don’t see many of the Russian dancers I know, and have even shared the Strictly dance floor with, openly speaking out about the war against Ukraine.

‘But they are still promoting themselves on social media? Very disappointed.’

However, Katya, who was paired with Adam Peaty in last year’s series, took to her Instagram story recently with the message: ‘Praying for peace and love in the world [prayer emoji, heart emoji]’.

A Strictly Come Dancing source said: ‘Tensions are high and there’s a lot of strong feeling about this, some of the dancers would want producers to make a decision and say, “You can’t come back for the next series.”‘

‘Some of the professionals feel it’s in bad taste to have the Russian dancers on the show, it’s been discussed among a group of them and they are concerned about it affecting the programme and causing a backlash.

‘Given they’re on the biggest show on television they are already open to criticism and they worry that this would only invite controversy.’

However, it is said some dancers feel it is unfair for them to be excluded based on their nationality as they cannot help where they were born, with the insider adding Katya and Luba have done ‘nothing wrong’ and are ‘gutted’ at the situation in Ukraine.

Other stars of the BBC dance show have used their platforms to raise awareness, including those with direct ties to Ukraine.