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Helen Skelton glad Strictly pro was axed from line-up so he can start new job

Former Strictly star Helen Skelton has opened up about her thoughts on the new star-studded line-up for the 20th anniversary series - and she certainly didn't hold back

Helen Skelton has admitted shes glad one professional dancer was axed from the main Strictly line-up this year.

On Monday (September 16), the beloved TV presenter joined Gethin Jones on Morning Live where they welcomed ballroom expert Kai Widdrington onto the show. The 41-year-old broadcaster sat down with the BBC favourite, 29, following the launch of the new series.

Unfortunately, the award-winning dancer from Southampton missed out on a spot in the main line-up this year after former dancer Aljaz Skorjanec returned for the 20th anniversary special. Also returning to the main stage is Amy Dowden alongside Dianne Buswell, Michelle Tsiakkas, Johannes Radebe.

READ MORE: Strictly star tipped to steal Glitterball trophy as 20th series kicks off with a bang

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Also taking to the ballroom is Luba Mushtuk, Karen Hauer, Jowita Przystal, Gorka Marquez, Nadiya Bychkova, Neil Jones, Nikita Kuzmin, Vito Coppola, Nancy Xu. Despite missing out on training a celebrity this year, Kai has landed a new job away from the famous ballroom.

[Helen Skelton admitted she was "glad" to be reunited with Strictly co-star]

Helen Skelton admitted she was "glad" to be reunited with Strictly co-star(Image: BBC)

During the first instalment of Morning Live, Helen revealed the hunks new gig on the BBC morning show. She said: "As we mentioned, it's the return of the Glitterball!

Kai, we said this is your first time with us, I can say this, we're friends. We saw you've not got a partner but we're glad because it means you can hang out with us all week."

Kai replied: "I'm here, you've got me all week. I'm here all week Monday to Friday doing Strictly fitness and yeah, it's my first time, I can't wait!"

[Kai Widdrington failed to make the main line-up for the BBC show]

Kai Widdrington failed to make the main line-up for the BBC show(Image: Eamonn M. McCormack/Getty Images)

It comes after the dancer shared his sadness about not being paired up with a celebrity this year. Instead, he will only appear in group dances that open and close the show every week.

Speaking exclusively to Daily Star, he told us: Everyone wants to get a celebrity. "Unfortunately it wasnt my time this series.

Two boys couldnt have one this series and sadly I am one of them. Some of us dont get partners and thats the way it is.

[He hopes to return to the main line-up next year]

He hopes to return to the main line-up next year(Image: PA)

Lets see what happens next year. Hopefully Ill get one then. Also missing out on a celebrity partner this year is Carlos Gu, Lauren Oakley, and Katya Jones.

The hunk promises it will be TV gold. He said: The line-up of celebs this year is amazing. It is going to be a fantastic series, as it always is.

We have been filming a lot of the group routines. There are some amazing ones. We have worked really hard through the summer to get them ready for the series. One of the ones I feature in is very funny.

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