Strictly Come Dancing professional Kai Widdrington has broken his silence after he and his partner Vicky Pattison were eliminated from the BBC competition
Meghna Amin Screen Time Reporter
13:17, 17 Nov 2025
Vicky praised Kai as “the best partner a girl can ask for”(Image: Guy Levy/BBC/PA)
Strictly Come Dancing’s Kai Widdrington has expressed his admiration for dance partner Vicky Pattison following their unexpected departure from the show.
Prior to Blackpool Week, presenter Vicky was ousted from the BBC programme when the judges opted to save EastEnders star Balvinder Sopal from her fourth dance-off.
Responding to Tess Daly’s query about her Strictly experience, Vicky lauded Kai as “the best partner a girl can ask for”.
She continued, “I’m so sorry I didn’t get you to Blackpool, but I feel like I’ve won just by having you as my partner, and I’m so grateful.”
Kai has since posted a touching tribute to his time with Vicky on the show, promising fans, “this won’t be the last you see of us”.
Vicky Pattison became the latest celebrity eliminated from Strictly Come Dancing(Image: PA)READ MORE: I’m A Celebrity star Ruby Wax’s pal admits ‘I’m worried’ after backlashREAD MORE: I’m A Celebrity facing ‘dangerous conditions’ as Jack Osbourne’s diagnosis sparks concern
He penned: “Wow, what a journey! While it is with genuine sadness we leave the competition, it has been the most amazing fun and pleasure dancing with the wonderful Vicky Pattison.
“You not only conquered your fears and your nerves, but you showed the world what an amazing dancer you are and how far you’ve come from being a complete novice,” reports Wales Online.
“I am incredibly proud to have been your dance partner in this wonderful adventure that we call strictly, and I truly wish we could’ve taken our journey even further.
“Thank you to all our incredible Strictly supporters who voted every single week. Your energy and belief is why we worked so hard on that dance floor. We love you all!
Kai paid tribute to Vicky after their exit(Image: BBC)
“Good luck to everybody else who remains in the competition, and see you all in Blackpool! This won’t be the last you see of us!”
The pair were flooded with messages of support from fans and fellow dancers, with Gorka Marquez responding to Kai’s post: “So sorry to see you both go,” whilst Carlos Xu added: “You guys will be missed.
“Gutted for you both – but what a ride!” one supporter penned, whilst another commented: “So gutted for both of you. You guys were incredible, loved your partnership.”
Another fan wrote: “Well said @kaiwidd. You really were the best partner for Vicky, as a non-dancer, to see the development each week really was special.”
Vicky and Kai had been going from strength to strength before Saturday night(Image: PA)
Kai has served as a professional dancer on Strictly since 2021, having previously featured on Ireland’s Dancing with the Stars.
During his tenure, he’s partnered with AJ Odudu, Kaye Adams, and Angela Rippon, reaching the final alongside AJ in series 19.
On Sunday’s results programme, Vicky reflected: “It was so lovely while it lasted, and I’ve had the nicest time. I knew this week was a difficult one for me, and I tried my hardest as I have every week.
“Listen, I didn’t think I’d get past week one. And I’m really honoured to have shared this experience with so many amazing people. Mostly with this fella [Kai] right here. I don’t want to sound too cheesy ,but [to Kai] you’ve been the best partner a girl can ask for.”
They faced the dance-off against Balvinder Sopal and Julian Caillon(Image: BBC)
Kai chimed in: “Oh, goodness me. Where do I start? You [to Vicky] are everything that this series is about. Strong, confident, independent – and all that I can say is, I have loved every single second.
“I’m going to be gutted not coming to Blackpool with you on Monday. But I just want you to know that I feel like I have also won getting you as my partner, and you will live on in Strictly history forever.”
Vicky then shared her feelings, saying, “I’ll miss everybody. I enjoyed it loads more than I thought I was going to. And I know I let my nerves get in the way – Shirley, you are right – and I will proper beat myself up over that. But I’ve never danced before sober and here I am – sober as a judge!”
Strictly Come Dancing is available to view on BBC iPlayer
