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Dan Walker is \u2018gutted\u2019 Nadiya Bychkova hasn\u2019t been assigned a partner for this year\u2019s Strictly Come Dancing.<\/p>\n
The former BBC Breakfast presenter was paired with the pro dancer in 2021 and finished in fifth place, and he has compared the snub to the idea of Argentina not playing Lionel Messi in a World Cup final.<\/p>\n
Sharing photos of them together on Instagram, he praised the lineup for the upcoming series but admitted he wishes Nadiya \u2013 who danced with Matt Goss last year \u2013 had a bigger role to play.<\/p>\n
He wrote: \u2018Strictly is such an amazing show and it\u2019s almost time for the new series\u2026 what a great line-up this year \ud83c\udfaf<\/p>\n
\u2018All the pros are great but gutted to hear that @nadiyabychkova hasn\u2019t got a partner. I\u2019m sure she\u2019s still looking forward to being part of the biggest show on TV but it feels a bit like putting Messi on the bench for the World Cup final! \ud83e\udd2f<\/p>\n
\u2018She is so talented, the best teacher anyone could hope for, a top class lobster and\u2026 she\u2019s the Yorkshire Barmaid!\u2019<\/p>\n
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He added that he and his family are still looking forward to tuning in, and they\u2019re \u2018all about the A Team\u2019 when it comes to the celebrities, backing Angela Rippon, Angela Scanton, Adam Thomas, Annabel Croft and Amanda Abbington.<\/p>\n
He continued: \u2018It is an incredible show to be on and the whole team are amazing. I hope all the celebs enjoy it and we are all about the A Team in our house\u2026 the 2 Angela\u2019s, Amanda, Adam and Annabel \ud83e\udea9 How about you?\u2019<\/p>\n
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Dan\u2019s comments about Nadiya\u2019s snub come after reports the dancer \u2013 who is in a relationship with fellow pro Kai Widdrington \u2013 is \u2018seething\u2019 after missing out on a celebrity pairing this year, which means she will only be part of the group routines.<\/p>\n
A source told The Mirror: \u2018Nadiya lives and breathes\u00a0Strictly, and so to hear that she wouldn\u2019t have a celebrity partner this year was crushing for her. She was both gutted, and very, very angry.\u2019<\/p>\n
The insider added: \u2018She has come to terms with it over the past few weeks, and will do her best to support Kai during the series. But it was devastating news for her.\u2019<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman are\u00a0returning as hosts,\u00a0while Craig Revel Horwood, Shirley Ballas, Motsi Mabuse, and Anton Du Beke will be back on the judging panel.<\/p>\n