Strictly Come Dancing 2023 star Nikita Kanda reckons her being part of the BBC One dance show won’t sink in until she make it onto the dance floor. But where might you have encountered her before?
Nikita has odds of 9/1 with bettingsites.co.uk to win the Glitterball trophy in 2023. And that means she finds herself right in the middle of the pack of contenders, according to the bookies.
However, she can’t wait to realise her celebrity reality TV dream. She said: “I can’t believe I’m going to be on Strictly. This is a dream come true. I’m still pinching myself.”
Nikita added: “I can’t wait to get glammed up and get out there. Throw the glitter on me!”
Who is Nikita Kanda? Biography of BBC Asian Network radio star
Birmingham-born Nikita, 28, is best known as a voice on the BBC Asian Network. She joined in 2021 as the host of the Saturday afternoon show. Alongside her co-host Mistah Isiah, the pair doubled the show’s audience and bagged an award for doing so in late 2021. The colleagues also produced spook viral vids together, parodying the likes of The Apprentice and EastEnders.
Then, in July 2022, Nikita became the presenter of the Asian Network Breakfast show.
She was subsequently nominated for Presenter of the Year at the Asian Media Awards for her broadcast work.
Before her media career, Nikita studied film at university. She then worked on Zee TV after graduating, and also hosted the drive time show for Asian Star 101.6FM.
Nikita also has stage experience, in West End musicals such as The Wiz, Bugsy Malone, Annie and Pocahontas. Could that mean she’s previously trained in dance for those productions?
Hi Twitter @nickjonas on the breakfast show tomorrow 8am. That’s the tweet. Tune in ✌🏼https://t.co/5OTWeqXGq1 @bbcasiannetwork pic.twitter.com/6QFO7LCmOx
— Nikita (@NikitaKanda) May 16, 2023
What TV shows has Nikita Kanda been on?
Strictly fans who may be trying to work out where they’ve seen Nikita’s face before no longer have to wonder.
Take Me Out viewers may recall her appearing in the 30-strong line up of ladies seeking to impressed by one man. Nikita was part of the cast for the last ever series of the ITV dating show in 2019.
At the time, she was reportedly introduced as a “freelance TV presenter, bridal model and actress”.
She’s also turned up on The One Show as a roving reporter. Nikita has covered topics such as cashless businesses and government support for female sport for the flagship BBC show.
Furthermore, Nikita is also said to have popped up on The Weakest Link.
What is the link between Nikita Kanda and Love Island?
According to Birmingham Live, Nikita previously dated ex Love Island contestant Jay Younger. Jay, an investment analyst from Edinburgh, took part in series 8 of the ITV2 show which aired in the summer of 2022.
Nikita is reported to have said at the time: “I’m actually getting flustered right now. I did go on a date with Jay from Love Island.” However, it is believed they only saw each other the once. Nonetheless, Nikita seemed to part on good terms with Jay, reflecting he had “good chat”.
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Is Nikita Kanda married? What is her husband’s name?
Nikita’s current relationship status is not clear. However, according to reports, it was claimed she’d been single for three years before she appeared on Take Me Out.
Is Nikita Kanda on Instagram?
Of course! It isn’t 2003. Find Nikita on Instagram – where she has over 26,000 followers – at @nikitakanda. TikTok users can follow her at @nikikanda, and her Twitter handle is @NikitaKanda.
Who is Nikita Kanda paired with on Strictly 2023? Who is her pro partner?
Celebrity and pro dance partnerships are yet to be confirmed. But in ED’s opinion, it might be fun to pair Nikita up with her near namesake Nikita… Kuzmin! We just want to hear them introduced as the two Nikita Ks, in all honesty.
What is Nikita Kanda’s family background?
Nikita sadly lost her grandfather in April of this year. While she didn’t specify which side of her family her grandad was part of, she did indicated he moved to the UK from India in his youth.
She wrote in a touching Instagram caption tribute after he passed away: “This is the first time I’ve experience such a loss in my life but I’m lucky to have had 27 years with you.
Nikita added: “My grandfather came to this country from Zira, Punjab, at 18 years old. He settled in Birmingham and never looked back. The life we have today is all down to his hard work and determination.”
No doubt he’d be very proud about Nikita putting her own best foot forward for Strictly 2023!
Read more: Here’s your complete Strictly Come Dancing 2023 line-up – with full odds on who’ll win!
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