Dan Walker has voiced his support for his former dance partner Nadiya Bychkova after she was left without a celebrity partner for the new series of Strictly Come Dancing.

The Ukrainian professional dancer, 34, joined the show back in 2017 and has had a celebrity partner every year since. 

However BBC bosses have not partnered her with a famous partner this year, reportedly leaving her 'seething'. 

Now her former partner Dan, 46, has sung her praises in the wake of the snub and said he was 'gutted' she wasn't competing this year, naming her 'the best teacher'.

The television presenter was partnered with Nadiya for the nineteenth series of the show and they reached Week 11, coming fifth.

'I’m sure she’s 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!'

Dan gushed: 'She is so talented, the best teacher anyone could hope for, a top class lobster & she’s the Yorkshire Barmaid!'

He added that he was supporting 'the A Team' this series, rooting for Angela Scanlon, Angela Rippon, Amanda Abbington, Adam Thomas or Annabel Croft to win. 

According to The Mirror, Nadiya is 'fuming' and crushed that she will miss the chance to lift the glitterball trophy this year.

A source said: 'Nadiya lives and breathes Strictly, and so to hear that she wouldn't have a celebrity partner this year was crushing for her.

'She was both gutted, and very, very angry. She 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.'

It comes after Nadiya missed this years Strictly Come Dancing live tour and instead hit the road with beau Kai Widdrington, 28, for their own show, Once Upon A Time. 

The couple, who have been dating since January last year, said they are living the 'dream fairytale' after falling in love on the dancing show. 

They told MailOnline that their romance is 'incredibly special' because the chemistry they share on stage is real.

In an exclusive interview, Nadiya and Kai revealed despite public misconception, they are yet to take their year-long relationship to the next level and move in together as they admit it is 'difficult' being under the watchful gaze of their loyal fanbase.

Nadiya, who shares daughter Mila with ex-fiancée Matija Škarabot, explained that it took herself and Kai some time to establish their feelings for each other, while Strictly viewers were keen to discover if they had become the show's first professional pairing to find love on the dance floor.

She said: 'At the beginning we were still figuring it out for ourselves! It is easier now in the sense that everyone knows we're together but having a relationship in the public eye is tough.' 

Kai added: 'Everything is scrutinised,' before Nadiya continued, 'But there are some positives, we get to do what we love, and create the show, so it's how you balance it.'

The Strictly pros did everything possible to hide their new relationship when they first started dating in January 2022, admitting they would even go out 'in disguise' to protect their blossoming romance.

But now the couple have no reason to hold back. Kai said: 'For us, we are living the absolute dream fairytale. We are trying to take it all in really.'

'It is very special touring together because it makes it easier… we are together, we share everything together, and it's very special,' Nadiya revealed.

'I remember the opening night when our tour all came together, and I was like "wow" it's an incredible moment and we got to share it together. It is rare.'