
Strictly's Nadiya reveals she's joining celeb dating app to find a boyfriend as she moves on from show star ex
Nadiya, 35, split from partner and fellow Strictly pro dancer Kai Widdrington, 29, last year after two years of dating.
4
4
4
The star, who is mum to seven-year-old Mila from a previous relationship, opened up on raising her daughter alone and what she thought about getting on to dating apps.
Speaking about being a single parent at the National Film Awards, Nadiya said: 'In some ways it's easier, in some ways it's more difficult.
"I think what was really helpful to me was that I realised there is no rule book. There is no recipe."
Nadiya added: "It will be like this now. Because they are growing, our lives are changing especially with my type of work. I have different projects all the time so it is not 9-5.
'It is still different things. I think it is important for a parent to accept that it is a constant search for that balance we want to bring to our lives and our kids' lives."
The pro dancer explained: "Once you accept it and say this is how it is going to be it becomes easier. This is what it is. It's like learning to surf and riding the wave. Every now and again you can fall off and then you get back up again. Then you find beauty in it."
Naidya also spoke about the prospect of dating and potentially having more children.
'If the time is right, if I pick the right man, if I am able to then absolutely I'll have more kids," she said.
"I always wanted to have many kids. As many as possible. As many as I can raise and give a good future."
Speaking about her love life Nadiya added: "I'm not seeing anyone. I'm just enjoying life. When and if the right person comes. Yes I would go on Raya. I've been on it.'
Raya is an exclusive dating app that is a private, membership based network, often used by A-listers from movie stars to athletes all over the world.
Nadiya, who was born in Ukraine, was paired with Olympian Tom Dean in Strictly's 2024 series - yet the swimming ace was swiftly given the boot in the opening Results Show.
The Sun reported last year that Nadiya and Kai were being kept separate backstage and "refused to stand by each other" at the BBC series.
The break-up prompted suggestions Strictly was to consider banning workplace relationships between its stars.
4
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Daily Mail
26 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
How Prince Andrew slept with 'a dozen women' within a year of marrying Fergie: Astonishing secrets of BOTH their infidelities revealed, her 'Machiavellian' revenge and truth about 'unusual' relationship now, told in book Royals tried to ban
The father of the groom and mother of the bride – lovers 20 years earlier – sat in the third carriage waving to the crowds. Prince Philip and Susan Barrantes, whose former husband was Prince Charles 's polo manager, had been part of the same social circle for years. Now they were together publicly celebrating the marriage of Prince Andrew to . That morning in the summer of 1986, Andrew had been made Duke of York, the traditional title for the monarch's second son. The red-haired bride looked striking in an ivory satin wedding dress with a 17ft train that bore the letters A and S intertwined in silver beads.


Daily Mail
26 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Love Island winners Toni Laites and Cach Mercer reveal their surprising plans for £50,000 cash prize - and it's NOT what you'd expect
The couple were crowned the winners of the twelfth series of Love Island on Monday evening. And now, Toni Laites and Cacherel 'Cach' Mercer, both 24, have revealed what they plan to spend their £50,000 cash prize on - and it's far from what you would expect. When asked how she plans to spend the money, Toni, a Las Vegas cabana waitress, candidly admitted: 'I need to pay off my student loans. I want to invest it. I don't want to go on some crazy shopping spree.' While Cach, a dancer from London, agreed with her, adding: ' Cost of living crisis, I'll save it!' Toni made history as the first American contestant to enter the UK Love Island villa, and she and Cach seem set on making their relationship work despite the transatlantic distance. The couple had a rocky beginning after meeting during Casa Amor, as it wasn't long until the pair found themselves in a major love triangle with Harrison. Yet once Harrison decided to leave the villa with Lauren, Toni set her sights on Cach, and the pair went from strength to strength. Reflecting on her journey, Toni said: 'I feel like I'm representing a whole nation! I didn't expect to make it past week one. 'Hopefully now we will just find time to enjoy one another's company and not let everything else take over.' Cach added: 'It feels amazing to win. I was 100 per cent authentically myself, and luckily, the public liked it, so I'm buzzing. 'I appreciate every moment on the show, it's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and I wouldn't have done it any other way.' Toni will also be remembered as part of the series' fan-favourite 'Big Three' – a name coined by viewers to describe her close friendship with runners-up Shakira Khan and Yasmin Pettet, who placed second and third, respectively. She said: 'Friends I will have for life. That was a big takeaway. The girls were my rock for the eight weeks.' But it looks like Toni and Cach may be spending even more time together in front of the camera, as ITV are reportedly planning to offer the couple a spin-off show chronicling their long-distance relationship, according to The Sun. A source told the publication: 'Even without the win, Cach and Toni's story should make great TV just due to their exciting lives. 'It will also be a chance to include Shakira and Yasmin when they visit Toni and catch up on the outside.' Daily Mail has contacted ITV for comment. The couple's interview follows ITV's release of the voting breakdown for the final, confirming it was the closest result in the show's history. In total, Toni and Cach received 33.5% of the vote, with Shakira Khan and Harry Cooksley taking 26.2% - showing the result was a close call. Yasmin Pettet and Jamie Rhodes came third with 22% and Angel Swift and Ty Isherwood placed fourth with 18.3%. Toni and Cach won despite the bookies' odds revealing it was Harry and Shakira in the running to win, just hours ahead of the live final. And fans seemed delighted with the decision as they took to Twitter to wish the couple congratulations. They penned: 'Justice served well done Toni & Cach .. what a gentleman man he is'; 'Congratulations Toni and cach. First American and she won. Iconic moves'; 'a bombshell + a casa boy winning love island - iconic!'; 'Love island didn't disappoint with Cach & Toni winning';


Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Mariah Carey's astronomical hotel fee REVEALED as R&B diva stays at lavish London Corinthia following her performance at Brighton Pride
is reportedly paying over £250,000 for her hotel stay during her time in the UK. The hitmaker, 56, headlined Brighton Pride over the weekend after arriving on her private jet earlier in the week. And now The Sun has revealed she is staying at one of the top-floor suites at the Corinthia hotel on London's Embankment. Featuring a large terrace, wine cellar, private spa and living room lit with a real fire, the room costs around £20,000 per night. A source told the publication: 'She blocked out two weeks in the best suite. It's only the best for Mariah. 'Her royal gig is a huge deal, so naturally she is living like a queen.' Daily Mail have contacted Mariah's representatives for comment. After performing in Brighton last weekend, Mariah is taking to the stage at Sandringham's royal estate as part of the Heritage Live's large outdoor music concerts on August 15. And it seems Mariah is one of the Corinthia's best guests after Beyoncé reportedly 'bowed down' to the singer in June and 'packed up her £25k-a-night London penthouse for the diva songstress to move in.' The Single Ladies singer, 43, had booked a 12-night stay at the Corinthia while performing at London's Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. But she allegedly moved out at the weekend when self-confessed diva Mariah touched down to play at Capital's Summertime Ball on Sunday. A source told The Sun: 'Superstars as big as Beyonce and Mariah want to stay in only the best hotels. 'Beyonce had been staying in Corinthia's penthouses. 'But when Mariah flew in, Beyonce packed up so Mariah could take over her suites. It was like Beyonce was bowing down to another music queen.' Meanwhile last weekend Mariah wowed fans as she took to the stage for her much-anticipated headline slot at Brighton Pride. The singing superstar put on a leggy display in four figure-hugging outfits as she performed for an impressive two hours. Mariah glittered in a silver gradient dress that she paired with a diamanté pink jacket and silver boots before changing into a blue and turquoise number that kept her legs on full display. Her packed setlist included hits like Vision of Love and Heroes as she gave the long-awaited performance that was initially scheduled for 2020, but was cancelled because of the Covid pandemic. She later wrote on Instagram: 'Thank you so much Brighton Pride for having me tonight! A special heartfelt thank you to the LGBTQ + community for your ongoing support. 'I will always be there for you. Love, MC.' She took the opportunity to show her support for the trans community by embellishing her pink jacket with the phrase 'Protect the dolls'. Elsewhere in the performance, Mariah stunned in a more loosely fitted gold dress and thigh-high boots. She also changed into a longer black dress and open-toed glittery high heels for a more upmarket, glamorous look.