Strictly's Nikita Kuzmin announces 'scary' new career move
The Strictly dancer has a solo tour coming up in 2025, entitled Midnight Dancer.
Watch Strictly's Nikita Kuzmin announce 'scary' new career move
What did you miss?
Strictly Come Dancing pro Nikita Kuzmin stopped by the Lorraine studio on Thursday morning (5 September) to promote his 2025 solo tour Midnight Dancer.
Kicking back with host Lorraine Kelly, the Ukrainian-Italian opened up about leaving the "warm blanket" of the BBC ballroom and heading out on his own for the first time ever around the UK and Ireland.
Midnight Dancer begins 8 March at Bromley's Churchill Theatre before pitstops in Cardiff, Nottingham, London, Leicester, Edinburgh, Bristol, Aberdeen, Glasgow, Dublin, Manchester, and Llandudno on the way to its 21 May curtain-closer at Canterbury's Marlowe Theatre.
What, how and why?
"It's quite scary actually, being honest," admitted Nikita, who questioned why he'd been given his own tour and why people would come out to see him.
"But it's just so exciting. I have so many ideas, so many projects and you just wanna go out there, hopefully you know... give back to the people who spend their money to come to see me. Dance together, celebrate together, maybe have a gin and tonic together."
Further along, Scottish star Lorraine highlighted the importance of Nikita's family.
"My family I owe absolutely everything for the person I am today, I'm getting emotional just thinking about that," he responded. "I always envisioned this mist on the stage on my own show and my nan, my mum, my dad, my sister and obviously my girlfriend just sitting in the front row.
"It's happening next year. It's wild, I'm just in a very lucky position to even think of that you know."
Nikita Kuzmin's close bond with Layton Williams
This has been a big year for Kuzmin's career. As well as continuing with his Strictly appearance, the dancer shocked fans when he starred on Celebrity Big Brother in March. The TV personality made the final of the rebooted reality series.
During the Big Brother stint, the dancer said he had the loyalty of Layton Williams who he danced with on Strictly Come Dancing last year. The same-sex Strictly couple became really close on screen and their friendship has continued after the show. Kuzmin revealed details about their friendship now while appearing on Lorraine.
He said: "Yeah, he's my man. Yeah we are (really good pals). We just chatted yesterday, yeah, I had the best year. I owe so much to Layton. He's the best person. He's obviously a fantastic dancer but to have such a lovely guy who stands by your side.
"Even when I went into the Big Brother house, he was defending me. He was there all the time. He was there for my girlfriend. He was there for my family. He was always there. He's honestly the best person."
Earlier on in the programme, Lorraine discussed the two newly announced dates in London for the Oasis reunion, which sparked widespread outrage last week with its dynamic pricing.
Lorraine airs weekdays at 9am on ITV.
