Inside Strictly star Nikita Kuzmin's life with girlfriend amid life-changing health woes

Nikita Kuzminhas quickly become one of the most loved professional dancer on Strictly Come Dancing since his debut in 2021 at the tender age of 22. During his very first year on the BBC series, Nikita, now 27, was partnered with Tilly Ramsay, where he finished in sixth place.

The Ukrainian-born dancer then partnered with Ellie Simmonds in 2022, Layton Williams in 2023 where the pair finished in 2nd place, and Sam Quek in 2024, finishing in 10th place. Nikita was hopeful that 2025 would be his year after he discovered that hugely popular Love Island winner Dani Dyer would be his partner.

Sadly, Nikita's dreams have come crashing down after reality TV star Dani, 29, has been forced to pull out of the BBC competition before her very first dance due to a painful injury. Mum-of-three Dani announced her departure from the show earlier this week.

The pre-recorded launch episode on the weekend unveiled each of the pairings for the latest series. It was revealed that Dani would be with Nikita, 27, and she said upon meeting her dance partner: "I'm so happy. I literally am in shock."

READ MORE: Strictly's Dani Dyer 'crying again' over message from 'gutted' partner Nikita

READ MORE: Dani Dyer's Strictly Come Dancing exit leaves bosses 'bereft' as new problem looms

Earth-shattering disappointment

Following the news that Dani has withdrawn from Strictly, Nikita issued a statement. Alongside behind-the-scenes photos, he wrote on Instagram tonight: "So so gutted to have finished our journey before it even properly started.

"The amount of laughs and fun we had in this short time was unbelievable! Really loved our partnership and hope that one day we can actually get to week 1 lol but, heath is the most important thing. I'm wishing you the absolute best [Dani]."

He added: "You're so lovely, positive and a wonderful human being!! And it breaks my heart knowing how excited you were to do your absolute best on the show! Hopefully we can pick up next year :) Love from #danita or #dakita or #Nani (WE ACTUALLY HAVEN'T DECIDED ON THE TEAM NAME IN TIME)."

Despite the disappointing setback for both Dani and Nikita, the professional dancer has always been successful.

The Strictly star's incredible success seemed inevitable when his family relocated to Italy to further his dance ambitions, and Nikita has claimed numerous competition victories before transitioning to television.

Yet throughout his journey, he has endured personal heartache and has learnt to accept his medical condition, which he initially feared might terminate his career. Here, we take a look at Nikita's life away from the bright lights of fame.

Life-changing medical condition

At just 13-years-old, Nikita received a type 1 diabetes diagnosis and has been candid about refusing to allow it to halt his dancing ambitions. He refers to it as his "superpower" and although initially concerned it might affect his dancing, he quickly discovered many other celebrities manage the condition.

Speaking on Morning Live, he revealed: "When I found out, I thought, 'My career's over,' and the next morning I woke up and I saw all those kids smiling and they were diabetics just like me. I went out of my room and - this is one of my best memories in my life - there was this wall of fame.

"It was all of the famous, successful diabetics - Olympians, Paralympians, presidents, actors - everything. And actually, I think I made quite a few of them up because I thought there was quite a few more people than there actually were. I checked a couple of days ago and most of them were not even there."

While in the Celebrity Big Brother house last year, viewers were left puzzled when they thought they spotted a mobile phone as the dancer entered the diary room. However, it turned out to be his blood sugar monitor.

One viewer asked: "Was that a phone on nikitas lap in the diary room?" Another chimed in: "No one else notice Nikita has a phone or something on his knee at the beginning of his interview with BB."

But fans who were aware of Nikita's health condition quickly clarified that he did not have a phone, with one stating: "He's diabetic. It's his machine to check his sugars." A second added: "Nikita is diabetic he's checking blood sugar it's not a phone! !".

Nikita's love life

Nikita has experienced quite a turbulent romantic history, having dated models and celebrity women. He was previously involved with fellow professional dancer Nicole Wirt for five years, but their relationship ended in October 2022, sparking talk of the infamous curse.

An insider revealed to The Sun that Nikita initiated the breakup because he wished to focus entirely on his career. "Nikita wanted to totally focus on this series of Strictly and decided a while back he wanted to end his relationship with Nicole. They had been together for five years and it ended up being a mutual decision. Nicole is mainly based in Germany and she is getting busier with work."

The Ukrainian performer was subsequently connected to Australian TikTok sensation and intimacy podcaster Charlie Backshall, whose show The Hotline featured explicit accounts of their supposed private encounters.

During an episode called 'We're Back and I'm Still in Love', she discussed an intimate encounter she had with a gentleman thought to be Nikita that transformed her into a 'new woman'. Nevertheless, an insider told the Daily Mail that he had been eager to conceal her provocative profession for fear of alienating Strictly viewers.

"Nikita is very aware of his brand and the fact that he stars on the most family friendly show on TV, so dating a sex podcaster conflicts hugely," the insider said. "He wanted to keep the relationship a secret until after the 2022 series had finished because he didn't want it overshadowing his part in the show, where he danced with Paralympic star Ellie.

"But now Charlie is speaking openly about their relationship he knows it'll soon come out. He really likes her and hopes their romance will work long distance."

Unfortunately, it wasn't meant to be, and he has since begun a new romance with Lauren Jaine, a 23-year-old model. It remains unclear when Nikita and Lauren began their relationship, but by last summer speculation was mounting about their connection.

The model backed her partner publicly when he was confirmed as a housemate on the 2024 series of Celebrity Big Brother.

Posting a series of snaps of them together, she penned: "The secret is out! As much as I'm going to miss this crazy boy, I'm so excited for him to be part of this amazing experience. The gattos and I will be watching every single night! ! ! ! Love you @nikita__kuzmin."

Home life

Nikita and Lauren live in a modern London flat together alongside their adorable cats. They have a balcony where Nikita likes to work out, which features sliding doors into their open living room.

The couple opted for a less is more approach in their interior design as it features a grey sofa, large TV, free-standing mirror and a guitar.

Their kitchen features white cabinets, which also leads out onto the balcony. Lauren has posted from the couple's bedroom, which features plain white walls. Nikita has showed off their sweet cats Leo and Bagheera, who enjoy sitting with the couple at their dining table. They also have five kittens, who love to snuggle on the sofa together.

Follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and Threads.

READ MORE: Maura Higgins says affordable £10 root spray ‘saves her life’ and covers grey hairs