Northants, Leics &amp; Rutland


<figure class="wp-block-image"><a href="https://essex.muddystilettos.co.uk/life/people/muddy-essex-meets-strictly-come-dancings-kai-widdrington/"><img decoding="async" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/05/4-1-1000x667.jpg" alt="Kai Widdrington Cliffs Southend " class="wp-image-22396" /></a></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-kai-let-s-start-with-your-tour-what-s-it-all-about">Kai, let’s start&nbsp;<a href="https://www.parkwoodtheatres.co.uk/castle-theatre/whats-on/kai-widdrington---evolution" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">with your tour</a>. What’s it all about?</h2>



<p>I’m really excited for it to kick off. There are group routines as well as solo performances, with lots of dance styles plus lifts and spins thrown in. I’ve gone from growing up as a kid from Southampton watching&nbsp;<em>Strictly</em>&nbsp;to this – it’s a dream come true, as cliché as it sounds. I’m getting to dance to the tune I’ve always wanted to my whole life. I grew up pretending to be Elvis in the mirror with a can of hairspray in my hand and dancing to Michael Jackson songs. Now I get to do all those things and more with an amazing production company and cast. I’m really, really happy.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-do-you-ever-get-last-minute-nerves-before-a-performance">Do you ever get last minute nerves before a performance?</h2>



<p>A few, as I can’t control everything. There’s the music, costumes and tech to consider – lots of different elements to a show. It’s not just me dancing to a piece of music. But I’m doing as much as I can to make sure it goes smoothly. Obviously throughout the tour it’ll progress and we’ll find our feet – so there’s just a few prematch nerves.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-any-pre-stage-rituals">Any pre-stage rituals?</h2>



<p>We always gather the cast and I say a few words of encouragement. It’s more to remember why we’re here and not to ever take this for granted. We have some of the best jobs in the world, getting to perform every night. It’s also about reminding us that it’s the audience’s first time seeing the show, and we only have one chance to make a first impression. Oh and I also shake my hands about, as they tend to get a bit sweaty!</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-you-come-from-a-footballing-family-what-made-you-choose-dance-over-football">You come from a footballing family, what made you choose dance over football?</h2>



<p>It was just something I loved a little bit more. There was a moment when I was in the car with my dad [Aldershot Town football manager Tommy] listening to music on the way to dance class when it all started to make sense in my head. I was like, “Oh, that’s a waltz, and that’s the tango I’ve been learning”. I also didn’t really fancy being kicked by 11 blokes on a Sunday morning on a freezing cold pitch – I’d much rather be in a warm studio with a load of girls.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-your-family-were-supportive-when-you-told-them-about-dancing-what-do-you-say-to-other-parents-who-might-not-feel-the-same">Your family were supportive when you told them about dancing. What do you say to other parents who might not feel the same?</h2>



<p>To let your kids dance – just in a controlled situation and in an environment where it’s regulated. That’s why I’m working with Angela Rippon trying to get dancing into schools, because it’s good for their social and mental health. Dancing’s been proven to be one of the most amazing things for your body and mind and has helped so many people through hard times. I don’t think there’s anybody that’s danced to a piece of music under their own accord but haven’t enjoyed it. Kids should dance. Kids should absolutely dance.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-when-googling-you-your-weight-loss-kept-popping-up-how-does-it-make-you-feel-when-you-see-people-being-judged-on-their-appearance">When Googling you, your weight loss kept popping up. How does it make you feel when you see people being judged on their appearance?</h2>



<p>There’s no reason anyone should judge anyone. I just wanted to get myself in the best possible shape for what I do, and had that opportunity through not getting a partner on&nbsp;<em>Strictly</em>&nbsp;last year. It gave me a chance to take a step back and ask myself what I could improve in my life. It was to be able to feel the best I can, and right now I’m in the best physical shape I’ve been since I was 17. I’m also in the best mental state I’ve been in for a very, very long time – and the happiest I’ve been, too. If I’m happy I’m firing on all cylinders. I just feel very confident at where I am in my life.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-so-are-you-more-confident-with-all-the-outfits-you-wear-on-tv-and-stage">So are you more confident with all the outfits you wear on TV and stage?</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/05/3-5-1000x667.jpg" alt="Kai Angela Rippon" class="wp-image-22400" /></figure>



<p>I’m always up for anything – come see me on tour and check out the outrageous full-on rhinestone suit I’m wearing. I’ve never said ‘no’ to an outfit – it’s just what you wear when you dance. I’m not saying I didn’t used to get taken the Mick out of, as kids did at school. But I really didn’t care what they thought. I love sparkles and Cuban heels. Bring them on!</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-you-re-30-this-august-what-do-you-do-that-you-d-never-have-done-10-years-ago">You’re 30 this August. What do you do that you’d never have done 10 years ago?</h2>



<p>I I like nights in: ‘Netflix and chill’. I also love playing golf and am even taking my clubs on tour. It’s a good way to relax and I’ve also got a bit of a competitive edge. You’re outside, you put your phone away for hours, you chat with your mates and you whack a ball around the course. It’s all about getting the right amount of balance. It’s hard work being on tour, with a two hour show every night around the country. So rest is important.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-are-you-starting-to-feel-aches-and-pains-when-dancing">Are you starting to feel aches and pains when dancing?</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/05/1-6-1000x667.jpg" alt="Kai Widdrington tour" class="wp-image-22401" /></figure>



<p>Not yet, but then again I feel the fittest I’ve ever been. I make sure to warm up and stretch properly before each show, because at the end of the day we’re athletes as well as artists so our body’s a machine and we’re working it hard. Muscles need recovery, and I make sure I eat and drink the right things so I can perform my very best every single night.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-where-do-you-see-yourself-in-10-years-many-dancers-have-retired-by-then">Where do you see yourself in 10 years? Many dancers have retired by then.</h2>



<p>Not for me – that’s a long way off and doesn’t even factor in my head right now. I’m actually the second youngest pro dancer on&nbsp;<em>Strictly</em>&nbsp;and feel very much at the beginning of my journey there. I’ve got a lot more to give. I’ve won everything there is to win on the show apart from the main Glitterball. I’ve got a Guinness World Record, I’ve won the live tour – and I’ve won the Christmas special twice. Retirement’s not in my vocabulary at this time.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ever-reckon-you-ll-be-a-judge">Ever reckon you’ll be a judge?</h2>



<p>Who knows? I can’t see those four going anywhere! I’d love to get into TV presenting, and Angela Rippon’s mentoring and helping me with that. I’m also passionate about a lot of things, again going back to getting dancing into schools. We’re living in a time when we’re all controlled by our phones, and it would be lovely to get kids off of them and dance to music with a teacher for an hour a week. Who knows what the future holds ? There’s so many different avenues that I could go down.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-one-last-question-totally-unrelated-to-what-we-ve-chatted-about-tell-us-a-fact-about-you-no-one-knows-until-now">One last question totally unrelated to what we’ve chatted about. Tell us a fact about you no one knows – until now.</h2>



<p>I’m racking my brain – I promise I’m not just sat here! People may or may not know this, but it’s 100% true. My grandfather’s Chinese and was born in Hong Kong, and was in the same class at school as Bruce Lee! My grandad used to give me all of Bruce Lee’s films when I was young, and my mum hated it because it had violence in. But I loved it because it was so cool that my grandad went to school with him.</p>



<p><em><a href="https://www.parkwoodtheatres.co.uk/castle-theatre/whats-on/kai-widdrington---evolution" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Book tickets here</a>&nbsp;to see Kai’s Evolution tour at Castle Theatre Wellingborough on 23 June 2025.</em></p>


Muddy meets Strictly Come Dancing’s Kai Widdrington

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