CBB star Nikita Kuzmin’s love life – from model girlfriend to Strictly curse rumours

Nikita Kuzmin may have the nation swooning over him during his stint on Celebrity Big Brother, but sadly he’s taken.

The Strictly star will be hoping to go one better this week as Celebrity Big Brother reaches its conclusion on Friday night (March 22). He was a whisker away from lifting the Glitterball Trophy with Layton Williams on Strictly in December, losing out to Ellie Leach and Vito Coppola in the final.

Three months on, the 26-year heartthrob is now one of the favourites to be crowned the first CBB winner in six years. And axed housemate Ekin-Su couldn’t help admitting she fancied him during the series.

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The Ukrainian has been in the public eye since 2021 when he was partnered with Gordon Ramsay’s daughter Tilly on the BBC One show. A year later he danced with Paralympian swimmer Ellie Simmonds, with both girls left swooning over his dancefloor skills and dashing looks.

Now, we look back at the love life of the relatively private star, who is currently dating model and Durham University graduate, Lauren Jaine. He also has an ex of five years.

Lauren Jaine

Nikita and Lauren finally went Instagram official in October 2023 after being snapped together on a string of dates in the weeks before. In a photo dump on the social media platform, Nikita was seen putting a loving arm around her as they posed up a storm in matching monochrome ensembles.

The dance star also shared a short but sweet video of the pair doing their weekly shop together. The clip started off with Lauren beaming to the camera before Nikita entered the shot to pose with his partner.

Lauren couldn’t help but giggle as she gently leaned his head on her shoulder while they got their essentials in the supermarket. Nikita’s parents reportedly gave their seal of approval shortly afterwards, as a source told the Sun: “They have been spending a lot of time together and even went on holiday together in the summer.

“Things are progressing and Nikita is very happy with his new romance. Lauren joined Nikita and his parents at Saturday’s live show and he was chuffed to have her in the crowds supporting him. His Strictly co-stars also think they are a great match and are rooting for the pair.”

German dancer ex

Nikita was previously in a long-term relationship with German dancer, Nicole Wirt. The pair were together for five years, but went their separate ways prompting Nicole to share a cryptic caption on Instagram, accompanying a series of bikini snaps. “Letting go of things that no longer serve you, will set you free,” she wrote.

Nikita later admitted he parted with the blonde babe in order to “focus” on Strictly with his new partner, Ellie. “Nikita wanted to totally focus on this series of Strictly and decided a while back he wanted to end his relationship with Nicole”, a source told the Daily Mail.

They continued: “They had been together for five years and it ended up being a mutual decision. Nicole is mainly based in Germany and she is getting busier with work.”

All seemed rosy just six months before their split, however, as Nicole gushed on social media: “I could have never imagined how our story together would go on till this very day, but here we are in December 2021: happy and grateful for what was and hungry and excited for all the new experiences, challenges and blessings which are ahead of us.”

Avoiding the Strictly curse

Nikita and Tilly finished Strictly’s 2021 series in sixth place. During their three-month partnership, Tilly was forced to shut down rumours of a romance after Nikita was snapped leaving her flat.

“No, no – we were filming a VT for the show,” she said when questioned about a possible romance. “We really are just good friends and dance partners!” In an appearance on Celebrity Gogglebox shortly afterwards, meanwhile, Tilly’s dad Gordon asked her about her current relationship status.

Gordon persistently asked: “Have you got a boyfriend, yes or no? Matilda?” It wasn’t long until Tilly gave in, confessing: “Yes! I’ve got a boyfriend. Finally.” It prompted speculation on social that the man in question was in fact Nikita, though neither party publicly addressed the matter afterwards.

A year later when asked on Strictly It Takes Two about her new partnership with Nikita, swimmer Ellie gushed: “I’ve got a big crush on him. His teeth are really, really nice, which they are.”

A sweet moment on the show later saw Nikita kiss her on the cheek, as he praised: “I have to say, Ellie, you haven’t achieved five gold medals without some stumbles along the way. You always pick yourself up, you always push hard, and this is the result.”

Ekin-Su’s ‘flirting’

Last week CBB co-star Ekin-Su was left gushing over “gorgeous” Nikita’s moves as the housemates took part in an X Factor style challenge. In a chat with Sharon Osbourne, Mrs O asked her who she thought would make a good partner.

Sharon said: “He’s perfect, a gorgeous boy”. Ekin-Su then teased that she’d be interested in the Ukrainian dancer if he wasn’t already taken. “He is [gorgeous]”, she admitted. “He’s in a relationship though…”

In another chat with Louis Walsh, meanwhile, the Love Island winner again admitted Nikita was a no-go because of his relationship status. “No, no, he’s got a girlfriend. I would never do that,” she said after Louis hinted they should hook up.

Shortly afterward, Ekin-Su and Nikita found themselves alone in the bedroom, where she couldn’t help but compliment the dancer. She told him: “What Sharon said about you is spot on. I think she did the right thing. You’re a good person and you have a good energy and I can trust you.”

Nikita responded: “Thank you Ekin-Su, that’s really sweet from you.” She added: “It’s because you deserve it.”

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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk