Professional dancer Nadiya Bychkova has revealed who she thinks is the "one to watch" in the build-up to the upcoming final on the latest series of Strictly Come Dancing.
Nadiya, 35, had competed on the BBC show this year with Olympic swimmer Tom Dean, 24, but they became the first pair voted out of the contest. They were back with their colleagues from Strictly at the Daily Mirror's annual Pride of Britain Awards in London on Monday night though.
Asked for her prediction on who will end up lifting the Glitterball trophy in the final later this year, Nadiya teased that comedian Chris McCausland, 47, is the "one to watch". Chris, Strictly's first blind contestant, has been paired up with professional dancer Dianne Buswell, 35, for the show.
Nadiya told us: "What Chris is doing is mind-blowing. It just reminds me of what [past winner] Rose [Ayling-Ellis] did a couple of years ago - I'm just grateful to [Chris] to share that experience with us, with the whole nation. It's incredible to chat to Dianne on how amazing she is teaching him."
She added: "It's a very special experience for Chris and for us as well. You never know what's going to happen with Strictly and who's going to win it. I'm looking forward to everyone but Chris is one to watch. He can only go off his own feelings - he can't see the others but he can only be the best he can be."
Her former dance partner Tom teased that he "couldn't possibly say" who he was voting for, adding: "I love everyone on the show." He also addressed his controversial departure from Strictly, with there having been widespread shock over him and Nadiya losing a dance-off last month against rivals Toyah Willcox and her dance partner Neil Jones.
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PA)Tom commented: "I'd be lying if it wasn't weird to be staying at home watching it. I'm so close with everyone on the show and constantly keeping in touch with them, so it's really special. So yeah, it's sad and it was really tough going out - especially so early on. A little bit of a shock but I had some really lovely messages - people coming up to me and saying, 'I only wish we saw more of you.' Yeah, really mixed emotions."
And discussing the Pride of Britain Awards, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, Tom said: "Everyone looks incredible and it's great to have everyone here but this is all about unsung heroes and the whole evening is about celebrating them. It's so great having so many people here celebrating - 25 years as well! We've both been here a few times before. I brought my mum last time and she was reduced to tears. Pulls on your heart strings - it's a full-on evening but it's so important."
When asked who they would give a Pride of Britain award to in their own lives, Tom told us: "I go back to my mum every time. We're both athletes and we both know what parents sacrifice for their children when they're going off to do sport and stuff and training for the Olympics and my mum was there every single day. So I wouldn't be standing here if it weren't for her."
Whilst Nadiya shared: "I'm just trying to replicate what my mum used to do. A couple of days ago my daughter had a dance competition and I was like, here we go! Wake up at 4.30am, do hair and make-up, travel to a competition and that's what my mum used to do for me. So she's the greatest example. I always knew [my mum] did a lot. I moved town when I was nine or 10 and my mum came with me. I knew that without her I wouldn't be here."
The Pride of Britain Awards 2024 will air on ITV and ITVX on Thursday at 8pm.
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