Strictly Come Dancing's Nadiya Bychkova leaves fans thrilled as she makes a surprise return to the show - months after being axed

Former Strictly Come Dancing pro Nadiya Bychkova left fans thrilled as she made a surprise return to spin-off show, It Takes Two, on Friday night.

Fans were left stunned back in March when the Ukrainian dancer, 37, as well as several other longstanding pros, was dropped from the lineup in a mass Strictly shake-up that followed the departures of hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman.

And months after her shock axeing, the stunner made a triumphant comeback as she joined Kimberley Walsh and Jay McGuinness as celebrity guest panelists to discuss all things Strictly with new host Ellie Taylor.

Dressed to impress in a black leather minidress, Nadiya proved there were no hard feelings as she happily discussed this year's crop of contestants and their routines ahead of Movie Week this weekend. 

Taking to X, viewers were quick to share their delight at seeing Nadiya back on their screens, while one chastised show bosses for letting her go in the first place.

They penned: 'So nice to see Nadiya Byckova back on #ItTakesTwo and still part of the #Strictly family. She was always full of kindness as a pro and hope to see more of her in the future, either as a permanent fixture on It Takes Two or maybe even a future contestant on #CelebrityTraitors'

Former Strictly Come Dancing pro Nadiya Bychkova left fans thrilled as she made a surprise return to spin-off show, It Takes Two, on Friday night

Fans were left stunned back in March when the Ukrainian dancer, 37, as well as several other longstanding pros, was dropped from the lineup in a mass Strictly shake-up [pictured in 2024]

'Nadiya is such a classy lady!'; 'So good have Nadiya back'

'Lovely to see the talented, dignified Nadiya on @bbcstrictly #ittakestwo Whoever decided to ‘refresh’ her out of the pro line-up wants kicking with very spangly pointed shoes'. 

'nadiya bychkova i’ve missed you diva <333'

On the show, Nadiya, who was a Strictly pro dancer for nine years, gave some words of advice for the contestants ahead of their second live show.

She said: 'I think on Friday, it's very important to get there and make sure they get comfortable - as comfortable as you can get on Friday in that ballroom.

'Make sure the steps are in, the understanding of the routine is there, and slowly getting into the spirit of movie week. So then tomorrow, once it is Movie Week, and when it's the main importance they'll be able to just enjoy and be in the moment.'

She said of Dani Dyer: 'The lines she's doing... it's week two, and to be able to do it so beautifully - controlled, with all the stretch, the position is there, the neck and the head is where it should be, all the lines are so beautiful and graceful. 

'I can't wait to see it once everything is done.'

Months after her shock axing, the stunner made a triumphant comeback as she joined Kimberley Walsh and Jay McGuinness as celebrity guest panelists to discuss all things Strictly 

Taking to X, viewers were quick to share their delight at seeing Nadiya back on their screens, while one chastised show bosses for letting her go in the first place

Back in June, Nadiya said she's now in touch with producers to make her big comeback to the BBC series – albeit in a different capacity.

Speaking to Hello! magazine, Nadiya replied 'Absolutely' when quizzed on whether she'd consider returning to the much-loved show, explaining: 'It is absolutely [on the cards]. We are talking about, hopefully in the future, me coming and choreographing some of the pro numbers.

'The team have known for years how passionate I am about creating things and choreographing. Lots of producers came to watch shows that I did myself.'

'This is the natural thing to do, because of what I love and what I want to do. It would be beautiful to see some of my creations and stories [that] I want to tell through dance on Strictly one day.'

The candid interview saw Nadiya admit to feeling 'emotional' at the end of the era, but insisted that it was a 'good' emotion as it now paves the way for the 'next thing that is coming'.

And it appears that as well as a possible Strictly comeback, Nadiya's next big thing could be a stint on I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here, as she is reportedly in advanced talks to appear on the ITV show.

The Ukrainian professional is said to have 'impressed' ITV bosses and is at the top of their wish list for the jungle this year.