Strictly Come Dancing fans have declared they know the ‘real reason’ why Kai Widdrington was not paired with a celebrity partner this year.

It was revealed during Saturday’s launch show that the dancer – who was paired with Angela Rippon for the 2023 run and made it to Blackpool – will be ‘benched’.

Also missing out on a celebrity pairing and taking part in just the group numbers will be professional dancers Carlos Gu and Lauren Oakley.

But following on from the first show, Strictly fans believe that decision may be down to fellow professional Neil Jones.

Despite appearing on the show since 2016 Neil, 41, famously became known for hardly ever getting a partner, and fans now believe Kai was pushed aside to give Neil his time to shine as this could be his last series.series.

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Strictly Come Dancing fans have declared they know the ‘real reason’ why Kai Widdrington was not paired with a celebrity partner this year

With many believe it may be down to fellow professional Neil Jones, who has been paired with 80s legend Toyah Wilcox’I did say that a possible reason they gave him a partner this year is as a way to send him off. Unless he was planning on leaving already.’

‘Rather a shame to see Kai and Lauren benched, maybe they just didn’t gel with the celebrities? I’m not surprised that Neil has been put together with Toyah as she seems to want to go the comedy route and Neil might work for that.’

It comes after Kai opened up about his time on the show earlier this week.

He told the Daily Star: ‘Everyone wants to get a celebrity. Unfortunately it wasn’t my time this series. Two boys couldn’t have one this series and sadly I am one of them.

‘Some of us don’t get partners and that’s the way it is.

‘Let’s see what happens next year. Hopefully I’ll get one then.’

In this year’s line-up, only six women will compete against nine men – a first in the show’s history.

Despite Kai being a fan favourite and reaching Blackpool with TV legend Angela Rippon, 78, this year he will only appear in group numbers (pictured here with Angela who showcased her incredible flexibility as she stretched her leg over head during her first live performance)

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Fans now believe Kai was pushed aside to give Neil his time to shine as this could be his last series, whilst others believe he was a ‘better fit’ for Toyah

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 Some theorised that Toyah seemed to want to go the comedy route and felt Neil would be a better fit for that

Taking to Digital Spy’s forum that is dedicated to the dancing show, some fans aired their thoughts on why Kai had been ‘snubbed’

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Earlier this week Kai opened up about the show which launched on Saturday explaining that two boys couldn’t have a partner this series and he unfortunately was one of them

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In this year’s line-up, only six women will compete against nine men – a first in the show’s history

The male-heavy line-up follows a flurry of bullying allegations after Amanda Abbington and Zara McDermott spoke about their experiences in rehearsals.

This year, Giovanni Pernice, 33, and Graziano Di Prima were on the receiving end of allegations they had mistreated their celebrity dance partners.

Giovanni has vehemently denied any wrongdoing while Graziano, 30, initially confirmed and regretted his actions against Zara.

The identities of the contestants competing in series 22 of Strictly, beginning in September, were unveiled from August 5.

It comes after it was confirmed that a verdict on the Giovanni-Amanda Abbington row is expected to be announced within days.

The Strictly scandal erupted when Sherlock actress Amanda quit the show in 2023.

She claimed that her dancing partner Giovanni was abusive towards her which led to her later quitting the show.

In July, Graziano was sacked, accused of ‘kicking’ his celebrity dancing partner Love Island star Zara McDermott during their time together.