Strictly Come Dancing professional Nikita Kuzmin found himself at the centre of a light-hearted exchange on Thursday’s edition of It Takes Two, after presenter Ellie Taylor interrupted his description of dancing with celebrity partner Dani Dyer. The moment quickly became a talking point in coverage of the BBC companion programme, but the context matters: Taylor explicitly said she was joking, and the conversation returned to the couple’s ballroom technique.
What happened on It Takes Two?
During the 5 November broadcast, Taylor asked Dyer whether she preferred Latin or ballroom routines. Dyer said she enjoyed both, before noting that Kuzmin often praises her ballroom dancing. The professional dancer responded by explaining how comfortable he finds their ballroom partnership, using an informal description of how a partner settles into the correct position and can be guided through a routine.
Taylor playfully challenged his wording, saying that he could not talk about women in that way. She immediately clarified that she was joking. Kuzmin, appearing surprised by the interruption, looked towards the camera and asked whether he had just been cancelled. Taylor then made clear that his remarks were perfectly acceptable in the context of ballroom dancing.
The exchange was reported by WalesOnline and in a report carried by AOL on Thursday evening. Both accounts describe a humorous studio conversation, not a formal complaint, disciplinary matter or confirmed controversy involving the BBC. It would therefore be misleading to interpret Kuzmin’s question as evidence that the dancer had actually been removed from the programme or sanctioned.
Why the conversation turned to ballroom technique
The conversation began with a straightforward question about Dyer’s preferred dance style. Ballroom routines demand a close partnership, consistent posture and a reliable frame. The celebrity dancer and professional must move together while making the partnership look effortless to viewers. Kuzmin was discussing that working relationship rather than making a statement about Dyer outside the competition.
After the joke, Taylor steered the interview back to whether Dyer was maintaining her frame. Kuzmin confirmed that she was. The discussion offered a glimpse of the technical work that goes into a television performance, even when a short and unexpected exchange attracts more attention than the original question.
Dani Dyer and Nikita Kuzmin’s 2026 journey
Dyer and Kuzmin have an unusual shared history on Strictly. They were originally paired for the previous series, but Dyer’s ankle injury prevented her from taking part in the live competition. Their reunion for the 2026 series gave the partnership a second opportunity to dance together in front of the judges and viewers.
Speaking about their reunion earlier in the series, Kuzmin told the Press Association that he was emotional about being partnered with Dyer again. That background helps explain the easy rapport visible in their interviews, although it does not establish anything about how audiences reacted to Thursday’s joke.
The couple’s recent competition results also provide context. After a difficult Icons Week, their combined judges’ scores and public support kept them out of elimination. Their Halloween performance, a Viennese waltz to My Favourite Things from The Sound of Music, subsequently earned 32 points out of 40, according to Thursday’s programme coverage.
What the exchange means for the competition
Nothing in the reported conversation indicates a change to Dyer and Kuzmin’s place in the competition. It was a brief comic moment during a promotional interview, followed by discussion of their dancing. Their progress will continue to depend on the competition’s performances, judges’ scores and public votes rather than a joking remark on the companion show.
For viewers following the partnership, the more substantial takeaway is that Dyer and Kuzmin were discussing their comfort and connection in ballroom routines. Their Halloween score suggested progress after a more challenging week, and the interview offered a reminder that their work involves learning the mechanics of movement as well as delivering entertainment.
It Takes Two accompanies Strictly Come Dancing with interviews and behind-the-scenes discussion. The main competition airs on BBC One and is available through BBC iPlayer. Viewers should rely on official BBC announcements for confirmed changes to the competition or its line-up.