Strictly Come Dancing's Nicola Adams confirms return to show
But not to compete...
Strictly Come Dancing viewers were left fuming earlier this month when contestant Nicola Adams was forced to quit the show when her professional partner Katya Jones tested positive for Covid-19.
Although Nicola's departure from the show seemed harsh, the BBC stated at the time that all protocols had been implemented, but now Nicola has confirmed she is set to make a return to the show... albeit NOT to compete.
Speaking to Zoe Ball on spin-off show It Takes Two, the champion boxer said, "It was a little frustrating not being able to continue when I’d just got back into the swing of things and felt like I was enjoying the dancing and everything. But the coronavirus rules are in place to keep everybody safe so I’m doing my part.”
She then teased, "As my saying goes, I do like doing the most. Me and Katya will be coming back.”
Zoe was quick to intervene after Nicola's comments, making viewers aware that Nicola won't be coming back into the competition.
She said, "She's such a little tease. They're going to dance. I can't tell you any more!"
No further information was given about Nicola's 'return', but we suspect it may be towards the end of the series for a special performance.
Check out which couples found love on the dancefloor:
Natasha Kaplinsky and Brendan Cole
On the first ever series of Strictly back in 2001, news reader Natasha Kaplinsky and professional dancer Brendan Cole were paired together.
Despite both being in other relationships at the time, both Natasha and Brendan called off their romances and started dating after the series finished.
Their relationship didn't last long though, and they are now both happily married to other people.
Ali Bastian and Brian Fortuna
It was love at first sight for former Hollyoaks actress Ali Bastian and her Strictly partner Brian Fortuna in 2009.
With the pair both single at the time, Ali and Brian started a relationship, only for it to end the following year.
Joe Calzaghe and Kristina Rihanoff
When boxer Joe Calzaghe appeared on the show in 2009, he announced to the press that his relationship with his partner Jo-Emma Larvin had come to an end, just one week into his Strictly journey.
Joe's professional dance partner Kristina Rihanoff was more than a shoulder to cry on, with the pair starting a romance. They went on to date for four years after show, before announcing their split.
Ben Cohen and Kristina Rihanoff
After her relationship with Joe Calzaghe fell apart, Kristina later met another Strictly contestant, England rugby ace Ben Cohen.
Both Ben and Kristina have denied rumours that Ben was still with his ex-wife Abby Blayney at the time they started dating, with the pair claiming they didn't get together until a year later.
Things are going well however, the pair now share a daughter together called Milena and are in a happy relationship.
Kara Tointon and Artem Chigvintsev
After her split from Joe Swash, actress Kara Tointon appeared on the 2010 series of Strictly and mended her broken heart with a little help from professional dancer Artem Chigvintsev.
Despite this, things didn't work out for the couple.
Rachel Riley and Pasha Kovalev
When Countdown presenter Rachel Riley appeared on Strictly in 2013 she was married to her ex-husband Jamie Gilbert. However, after just 16 months of marriage, the pair announced they were set for divorce in November 2013.
Fast-forward to 2016 and Rachel revealed she was in a relationship with her 2013 Strictly partner Pasha Kovalev... And the pair welcomed a baby in 2019, with another arriving in 2021.
Georgia May Foote and Giovanni Pernice
Georgia May Foote was dating her Coronation Street co-star Sean Ward when she joined the show in 2015. But when rumours circulated that the couple's relationship wasn't going well, they split in December 2015.
Georgia was then spotted getting very cosy with her Strictly partner Giovanni, with the pair enjoying a holiday to Disneyland Paris for New Year.
Despite this, the couple ended their relationship in August 2016.
Dianne Buswell and Joe Sugg
After weeks of rumours, Joe Sugg appeared to confirm his relationship with Strictly Come Dancing partner Dianne Buswell with a photo on Instagram, the caption read, 'I may not have won the glitter ball, but I've won something a million times more special.'
The pair have been loved-up ever since!
Gemma Atkinson and Gorka Marquez
Radio presenter Gemma Atkinson and professional dancer Gorka Marquez were first linked in the 2017 series, and got together whilst on the 2018 annual tour together. They moved in together in December 2018 and welcomed their daughter Mia in summer 2019. The couple then announced their engagement at the start of 2021.
In 2023, Gemma and Gorka then welcomed their second child, a baby boy called Thiago!
Giovanni Pernice and Ashley Roberts
Professional dancer Giovanni Pernice and Pussycat Doll Ashley Roberts were forced to deny they were dating during the 2018 series, but Giovanni confirmed the relationship in January 2019.
However, just one year later in January 2020, Giovanni confirmed the pair had split.
Stacey Dooley and Kevin Clifton
Despite taking a long time to confirm their romance, Stacey and Kevin now seem very happy together, with Kevin announcing back in March 2021 that he'd quit the show.
Despite the couple keeping their relationship more or less private, the couple did confirm in August 2022 that they are expecting their first child together, with Stacey giving birth to baby Minnie in January 2023.
Max George and Maisie Smith
Despite both taking part in the 2020 series of Strictly, The Wanted singer Max George and former EastEnders actress Maisie Smith didn't actually start dating until mid-2022.
After weeks of rumours about a romance, the pair went Instagram official in September 2022, sharing gushy posts about each other. They've since been smitten.
Tyler West and Molly Rainford
Strictly 2022 contestants Tyler West and Molly Rainford confirmed they were dating in March 2023, after growing close during the live tour. The pair confirmed they were dating during a TikTok video, leaving fans buzzing, and they've not looked back!
Nicola and Katya confirmed their shock departure from the show on the 12th November, with the BBC saying, "Katya is asymptomatic and the pair are now self-isolating separately following the latest government guidelines. As part of the protocols outlined ahead of the series, this sadly means they will no longer be able to take part in the competition."
Nicola then took to her social media accounts to tell fans, 'Hey guys! I’m absolutely devastated my Strictly journey has come to an end so soon, I had so much more to give and so many people to win this for! But I just want to say a huge thank you to @katyajones for being the best dance partner anyone could ask for, you pushed me way out of my comfort zone and it’s been an incredible experience. As I said before I’m gutted to be out of the competition but in these unprecedented times and as frustrating as it is, the COVID measures are in place to keep everyone safe and I’m doing what I can to help. I’ll be spending the next 14 days isolating and I’d like to apologise in advance for ridiculous amount of TikToks/Reels I’ll be posting 😅 in my now free time when I’m not gaming! Here’s the highlights 👯♀️😉🙌🏾 #outsidethebox'.
Meanwhile, after Max George's shock exit during last weekend's show, Strictly Come Dancing will continue on Saturday and Sunday evening.
Now read:
Strictly Come Dancing 2020: Everything you need to know
Take our ultimate Strictly Come Dancing quiz
Strictly Come Dancing stars who found LOVE on the dancefloor