Nadiya Bychkova is rumoured to be in advanced talks for I’m a Celebrity 2026, with The Sun and Capital FM linking the former Strictly professional to the jungle after she was dropped from the BBC show’s 2026 line-up. ITV has not confirmed the line-up and says all names are speculation until the official announcement, expected around mid-November 2026. This article tracks the rumours and covers her biography.
After nine years on Strictly, the Ukrainian champion is a free agent with a huge fanbase. Here is everything we know about her jungle links and her story so far.
Is Nadiya Bychkova Doing I’m a Celebrity 2026?
The Sun and Capital FM have linked Bychkova to “advanced talks” for the 2026 jungle series, with her Strictly exit freeing her schedule. She has herself said she will remain involved with Strictly “behind the scenes”, which some reports suggest could complicate a jungle stint. As ever, ITV has not confirmed anything: “any names suggested for I’m a Celebrity are just speculation.”
Who Is Nadiya Bychkova?
Nadiya Bychkova is a 36-year-old Ukrainian ballroom and Latin dance champion who was a professional dancer on Strictly Come Dancing from 2017 to 2025. A double world champion before joining the BBC show, she partnered celebrities including Davood Ghadami, Lee Ryan, David James, Matt Goss, Dan Walker and, in her final series, former England rugby player Chris Robshaw.
In March 2026 she was axed from the professional line-up along with Karen Hauer, Gorka Marquez, Luba Mushtuk and Michelle Tsiakkas, as part of a major shake-up that also saw hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman depart. She described her journey as “evolving” and said she looked forward to remaining part of the Strictly world.
Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Nadiya Bychkova |
| Age | 36 |
| Known for | Strictly Come Dancing professional (2017 to 2025) |
| Titles | Ballroom and Latin dance champion |
| I’m a Celebrity 2026 | Rumoured, unconfirmed |
The Strictly Exit
Bychkova’s departure in March 2026 ended nine years on the show. The BBC praised her “elegance, artistry and unwavering dedication”. In October 2026 she made a surprise return to the Strictly family on the It Takes Two podcast, joining an all-star panel ahead of Movie Week, proof of her enduring popularity with viewers.
Nadiya Bychkova Net Worth
No verified net-worth figure exists for Nadiya Bychkova. The pages that rank for net-worth queries are stale: one claims to be “updated October 2026” but describes her as 28 with 2019 figures, while another dates to around 2021 and names a fiancé she split from in 2022. Her income comes from nine years of Strictly fees, dance championships, endorsements and media work. Readers should treat any exact figure found online with scepticism.
Nadiya Bychkova’s Strictly Partners: A Retrospective
| Series | Celebrity partner | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Davood Ghadami | Debut series |
| Later series | Lee Ryan, David James, Matt Goss | Memorable partnerships |
| 2022 | Dan Walker | Popular BBC Breakfast pairing |
| 2025 | Chris Robshaw | Final series; eliminated week 4 |
Across nine series, Bychkova earned a reputation as an elegant, patient teacher, often paired with taller celebrities where her 5ft 8in frame was an asset. The BBC’s tribute praised her “elegance, artistry and unwavering dedication”, and tributes from Tess Daly and Amy Dowden showed the regard in which she is held.
Life After Strictly
Since the March 2026 exit, Bychkova has kept a deliberate profile: the “evolving” role she described, the October It Takes Two appearance and now the jungle rumours. At 36, with a double world champion’s pedigree and nine years of primetime experience, her options are wide open, from choreography and creative direction to reality television.
The jungle would be a bold choice. Dancers have historically done well on I’m a Celebrity, where physical trials reward athleticism and camp life rewards good humour. Her fanbase, built over nearly a decade, would follow her there.
The Split That Made Headlines
Bychkova’s personal life has also drawn press attention. She split from fiancé Matija Skarabot in 2022, a detail some stale profile pages still get wrong. She is a mother, and has spoken about wanting to spend more time with her daughter, a factor in how she shapes her post-Strictly career.
Ukrainian Dance Roots
Bychkova arrived on Strictly as a double world champion, a credential few professionals can claim. Her Ukrainian training in ballroom and Latin gave her a technical foundation that showed in every routine, and her 5ft 8in frame made her a natural partner for taller celebrities.
That elite background shaped her teaching style: precise, demanding and elegant. Partners consistently praised her patience, and the BBC’s farewell tribute singled out her brilliance as a teacher alongside her artistry as a performer.
The 2026 Strictly Shake-Up Explained
Bychkova’s exit was part of the biggest Strictly overhaul in years. Five professionals departed: Karen Hauer, Gorka Marquez, Bychkova, Luba Mushtuk and Michelle Tsiakkas, with five new dancers unveiled in July. Hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman also left, and Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe took over presenting.
For a show entering a new era, fresh faces made strategic sense, but the affection for the departing pros was evident in the tributes. Bychkova’s October return on It Takes Two showed she remains part of the family.
It Takes Two Return: The Details
On 2 October 2026, Bychkova returned to the Strictly family on It Takes Two, appearing alongside the series’ new professional line-up. The appearance was warmly received by fans and showed the BBC’s willingness to keep her in the fold despite the March shake-up.
The timing, just weeks before the I’m a Celebrity line-up announcement, added fuel to the jungle rumours. Whether choreographed or coincidental, the return put her back on television at exactly the moment casting speculation peaks.
The Motherhood Factor
Bychkova is a mother, and she has spoken about wanting to spend more time with her daughter as she shapes her post-Strictly career. That priority influenced her description of her next chapter as “evolving” rather than ending. Any future television commitments, jungle included, will be weighed against family life, a consideration that makes her choices more relatable to viewers.
The Beauty Angle
Bychkova’s glamour has always been part of her appeal, from the ballroom floor to the red carpet. Her beauty looks, polished but never overdone, have made her a favourite of fashion coverage around Strictly. A jungle appearance would show a different side: the double world champion without the costumes, proving that her charisma needs no staging.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Nadiya Bychkova confirmed for I’m a Celebrity 2026?
No. The Sun and Capital FM have linked her to advanced talks, but ITV has not confirmed the line-up.
Why did Nadiya Bychkova leave Strictly?
She was axed in March 2026 as part of a major professional line-up shake-up. She described her journey as “evolving” and remains involved with the Strictly world.
How old is Nadiya Bychkova?
She is 36.
Who were Nadiya Bychkova’s Strictly partners?
Davood Ghadami, Lee Ryan, David James, Matt Goss, Dan Walker and Chris Robshaw, among others across nine series.
What is Nadiya Bychkova’s net worth?
No credible figure exists. Online estimates are stale and contain factual errors.
Is Nadiya Bychkova still involved with Strictly?
She appeared on the It Takes Two podcast in October 2026 and has said she will remain part of the Strictly world behind the scenes.