Kai Widdrington has been flooded with messages from his co-stars and fans as the Strictly Come Dancing star gave fans a 'Bond' surprise.
The professional dancer will soon be back in the hit dance show's ballroom after it was confirmed he'd be returning to the BBC One dance contest in the pro dancer line-up for the 2025 series.
But before he puts his dancing shoes back on, Kai is currently enjoying a sun-soaked break. And it's much deserved after he finished up his own solo tour, Evolution, at the end of June.
Kai previously revealed that he had ditched the UK for Miami, Florida, with a sun-soaked post on social media. In a number of snaps, Kai was smiling from ear-to-ear alongside his girlfriend, Chloe Wells.
It comes after the pair went 'Instagram official' back in April, after reports revealed the Kai was dating again following his split from his Strictly co-star Nadiya Bychkova last year.
Now, Kai has returned to social media with a fresh update, and he was seen showing off his recent transformation by stripping down to his swimming trunks and emerging from the sea at Miami Beach.
He didn't say much, simply sharing beach and wave emojis in the caption. But his Strictly co-stars were among the first to respond. Fellow pro Gorka Marquez said: "Okay BOND [flame emoji]," while head judge Shirley Ballas replied: "@kaiwidd Bond. James Bond. Take care looking great my friend."
Fans were also quick to comment on the post. @joannagoody said: "Look at you! Happy and thriving." @suz1_b commented: "…the names Bond, Kai Bond!" @kellie____.t echoed: "The name's Bond Kai Bond."
@lisaaboo_ wrote: "Kai Widd for the new 007." @lucymaygoodwin joked: "Who did Bond better?! 2020 @gorka_marquez or 2025 @kaiwidd?! Fight it out." @d.ravel replied: "From Rumba with love! Looking good mate." @deb.farnsworth.1 added: "I thought that was James Bond emerging from the sea."
It comes after Kai recently spoke about his changed appearance for the first time. Appearing on the Monday Mile podcast, host Aimee Fuller pointed out that Kai has been looking a bit different lately.
She said: "We touched briefly on routine and being fit to dance, we can't neglect the fact that we've seen a little bit of a body transformation. Kai six months ago looked like a slightly different person to the gentleman I'm walking with today. What's gone on? What's happened?"
After a laugh, Kai went on to share: "It's one of those where I was so fit as a kid. I'm not ashamed to say that I was the guy in school who was the county champion in running, was the captain of the football team, a swimmer, played everything, was good at everything and I was so fit.
"But I basically stopped dancing for a year when I was 18 and I kind of put a little bit of weight on and it kind of never went. I couldn't get it off and I couldn't find a way to get it off."
Kai continued: "After sort of last year, and you know I didn't get a partner on Strictly, so I had a bit of a reflection moment and it was kind of the best thing that could have happened to me."
He added: "Here's a good little nugget for you, 'Setbacks are just the setups for the comebacks'... So sometimes you need a little reflection moment so I had a look in the mirror and I was like, 'Yeah, I'm not really happy with this!' The main think I did was diet, I really just ate good, looked after what I was putting in my body.
"I was like, 'You know what, I'm a dancer. I want to look like a dancer. I want to feel good in what I'm wearing. Even wearing what I am now I probably wouldn't have worn this like six months ago because I'd have been like, 'No, I need to wear black!' But it's about being comfortable in your own skin."
