Strictly Come Dancing's Kai Widdrington has started work with his new dance partner.
Preparations for the Strictly Live tour begin this week with some of the 2021 series' favourite couples reuniting for the first time since the BBC One dance contest came to an end.
Winners Rose Ayling-Ellis and Giovanni Pernice, who have already shared a look at their reunion, will be back dancing together in front of audiences when the arena tour kicks off on January 20 in Birmingham before heading across the country.
Also heading out on the road is John Whaite, Sara Davies, Rhys Stephenson, Tilly Ramsay, and 2020 alumni Max George.
READ MORE: Strictly Come Dancing's Oti Mabuse lands another TV job away from BBC dance contest
AJ Odudu, who was a finalist on the show, has had to withdraw from the tour as she continues to recover from the foot injury which forced her out of competing in December's grand final.
But as revealed last week, the TV presenter's professional partner Kai will still go on tour and has been paired up with a new dance partner.
He'll be paired up with former EastEnders star Maisie Smith who competed on the show with Gorka Marquez in 2020.
And the new dancing pair have had to get straight to work.
Sharing a photo to her Instagram story over the weekend, Maisie showed herself and Kai posing in front of a green screen - presumably getting things ready for the imminent tour.
"Let's go cut some shapes @kaiwidd," the actress shared alongside the snap as the pair looked Strictly ready in glittering outifts.
Kai then shared the post to his own Instagram page, simply writing: "Let's go!!"
Last week, AJ announced the gutting news that she had to pull out of the tour.
Kai also spoke out about the news, writing in an Instagram post: "I’m really gutted to hear that @ajodudu wont be able to join me on the BBC Strictly Tour around the UK," he began alongside a photo of himself and 2020 Strictly star Maisie Smith who will be taking AJ's place.
"I know we were both really focused and willing to get back on the floor in the Arenas and finish what we started. I know we will get to dance again very soon and I am sending all my love and well wishes to AJ for a quick recovery.
"With that, I am also very lucky to say that I get to continue on the tour with my amazing new tour partner @maisiesmithofficial who as you all now SMASHED last years Strictly.
"I cannot wait to see you all on the road and get to dance in front of a live audience once again. See you all soon."
AJ was among the first to pledge her support to the new Strictly couple.
For all the latest news and gossip, click here to sign up to our newsletter
.jpg?w=600)
