Kai Widdrington has shared a moving update with fans as he made a major move away from the Strictly Come Dancing ballroom.
The professional dancer previously announced his new headline show, EVOLUTION, which will see him travel the country, stopping at venues in Swansea, Doncaster, Leicester, Belfast and Dublin throughout May and June.
It was then in January that Kai revealed his former Strictly co-star Giovanni Pernice is one of the creative producers for the upcoming show.
Now, Kai has officially got his show on the road, kicking off in High Wycombe on Wednesday (May 14) night. Taking to social media, the BBC star has reflected on hitting the road.
Alongside pictures from his first night on stage in front of a live audience, Kai wrote on Instagram: From childhood dreams to spotlight beams, opening night felt like magic.
"Still floating on cloud 9, lifted by every cheer and kind word. The stage is calling, and the Evolution tour has only just begun."
And he was quickly flooded with messages of support. Fellow Strictly pro Gorka Marquez replied: "Let’s go," while Nikita Kuzmin shared: "Go smash it mate." Former Strictly star Oti Mabuse said: "Have a good tour." Girlfriend Chloe Wells also gushed: "So incredibly proud, such an amazing show."
@joannagoody replied: "So proud. the most special show and creation, you superstar." @juliethornton285 posted: "Congratulations on a fantastic opening night Kai & team Evolution! It looks absolutely amazing! Looking forward to seeing you all next weekend."
@_anne_fitzpatrick_ shared: "Things we love to see. Congratulations. So very proud of you and can't wait to see the show. Have a fantastic tour." @snowwhitejo added: "It was a truly magical night, I couldn't be happier for you & prouder of you. You deserve this you brilliant human being you."
It comes after Kai offered a positive update on his Strictly Come Dancing future as he admitted it's 'never nice' to be without a partner on the show having been 'snubbed' last year.
The professional dancer joined the hit dance show back in 2021, having already enjoying the role previously on the Irish version of Dancing with the Stars.
But as the 2024 series got underway, Kai wasn't given a celebrity partner, much to the upset of fans of the BBC One dance contest. He was, however, still very much been part of Strictly's 20th-anniversary series, partaking in the group numbers and performing during the musical acts who appear during the weekly results shows.
He was also spotted supporting his fellow Strictly stars in the 'Claudatorium' each Saturday night with the show's co-host Claudia Winkleman.
It has, however, recently been confirmed that Kai will be back in the ballroom later this year after the BBC confirmed its professional line-up for Strictly 2025, including the addition of new pros to be announced closer to the launch of series 23 this autumn.
Appearing on ITV's Lorraine on Wednesday (May 14), ahead of the opening night of his solo tour 'Evolution', Kai was asked about missing out on a partner by stand-in host Christine Lampard.
He said: "It's never nice but there's a few ways you can look at it, you can go down and sad about it, or you can take a step back and ask, 'What can I change in my life? What can I improve on?' and I made a few changes in my life.
"I sorted myself out. I wanted to feel good in my own skin and now I can happily say this, I'm the happiest I've ever been, which is number one. I'm in the best psychical shape I've ever been in since I was probably 17 at the height of my competition career and I'm feeling good going into my show.
"By the time the tours done, I'll be nice and fit and ready to go for Strictly when we start again at the end of July. I'm really excited and I'm just in a really good place."
