Strictly star Nadiya Bychkova opens up to the Mirror about being rushed to hospital by ambulance and fears that her career might be over
Strictly Come Dancing star Nadiya Bychkova feared she was paralysed after a horror fall in rehearsals for the new series.
The 36-year-old has spoken for the first time about the accident, which resulted in her being rushed to hospital by ambulance last month.
She said: “It was a really scary moment. I was up on a chair and table in heels rehearsing for a group dance and the next thing I knew, I was on my back in pain and not really sure what was going on. There are so many things that go through your head. I was incredibly worried because I couldn’t feel my left leg and I was unable to move.”
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A picture of Nadiya immediately after the accident showed her with her head strapped, while another showed her immobilized on a trolley in a hospital corridor.
“I was strapped to a trolley for hours and told not to move while we waited for a scan,” she said. “My head was held with straps and I could only look directly up. That’s when you worry because you have no idea how bad it is. I was thinking it might be the end of my series or even my dancing career. I had time to think about everything and there were a lot of tears.”
Ukrainian Nadiya faced an agonising wait for the results of a scan to assess the damage to her spine. And she recalled: “The staff at the hospital were brilliant and when I was told there was no permanent damage it was the biggest relief of my life.”
Incredibly, Nadiya was able to get back to work ahead of the new BBC series. This week, she attended the premiere of the new Downton Abbey film, where she dazzled in a stunning white gown.
Speaking to the Mirror at the event, she added: “I was a bit battered and bruised but nothing a few trips to the physio couldn’t solve… within a week I was back on the dancefloor.”
Looking back on the incident, Nadiya has nothing but praise for her colleagues on the BBC show. She said: “The Strictly crew were absolutely amazing. The medical team looked after me and kept me stable and warm while we waited for the ambulance.”
Fellow dancer Carlos Gu got a special mention for trying to keep her spirits up with an unusual song choice as they waited for the ambulance to arrive. “Carlos has a song for every occasion but I’m not sure his decision to sing me Killing Me Softly was helping…it was hilarious,” Nadiya laughed. “I couldn’t laugh because of the pain so I cried but it was beautiful.
“He changed to I Will Survive and that was a much more positive message and kept me going.” Asked how she was doing now, Nadiya replied: “I’m OK. Feeling better than ever. Fighting fit and ready for an amazing series.”
The return of Strictly comes amid controversy including allegations of drug use and bullying. Asked about the various scandals, Nadiya said: “Strictly is always in the headlines and this year is no different.
“We are all focussed on doing the best job possible. I am always so thankful to be a part of the biggest show on telly and this is my ninth year.” She added: “I would love to make it a decade next year but my focus for the next few months is making the 2025 edition of the show, with a great bunch of celebrities, the best one yet.”
The Mirror last month broke the news of Nadiya’s fall after she was pictured leaving the rehearsal studios in an ambulance. An insider said at the time: “It looked pretty nasty and no one was taking any chances. The crew rushed into action and she was stretchered out.”
A source close to Strictly said: “As a precaution, following a fall during rehearsals, Nadiya was taken to hospital for checks and is receiving full support from medical and welfare teams. Rehearsals continue and the Strictly team are in close contact with Nadiya.” It remains to be seen who Nadiya is paired with this year on the hit BBC show when it returns later this month.
Last year, she teamed up with swimmer Tom Dean, who was the first celebrity voted off the show. Her best place finish was with TV journalist Dan Walker, when they came fifth in 2021.
Celebrities taking part this year include YouTube star George Clarke, EastEnders actress Balvinder Sopal, Love Island winner Dani Dyer, Gladiator Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, Doctor Who actress Alex Kingston and former Chelsea footballer Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink.
Two new professional dancers, US-born Alexis Warr and Australian Julian Caillon, are also joining the show. Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman return as hosts with Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Anton Du Beke and Shirley Ballas on the judges’ panel.
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