Strictly star Nadiya Bychkova says she has been moved to tears by her daughter’s fancy footwork.
Mila, eight, wants to be a dancer herself as she showed off her moves alongside the BBC star in a new video. But unlike her mum who dazzles on the Saturday night show, Mila wants to be a Tik-Tok dancer and singer instead.
The pair teamed up as Nadiya was announced as an ambassador for Bright Young Dreams, the children’s mental health campaign founded by Olympic champion Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill.
Nadiya told her: “When I have a tough day at work, I come home, look at you and you always make me smile. What really makes me emotional is that you are dancing now and when you had that little exam and you were doing the waltz…..it was happy tears.”
Mila’s father is Slovenian footballer Matija Skarabot. Her and Nadiya split around 2022. Prior to her relationship with Matija, Nadiya was married to Russian dancer Sergey Konovaltsev. The former pair wed in 2013 but went their separate ways two years later. She then dated Strictly star Kai Widdrington before breaking up last summer.
Nadiya joins a roster of Bright Young Dreams ambassadors, including broadcaster Dan Walker, comedian Jon Richardson, and England footballer Lucy Bronze.
She is reunited with Walker, who she partnered in Strictly Come Dancing. The pair remain good friends. The campaign, which works in partnership with Sheffield Children’s Hospital and The Children’s Hospital Charity, supports young people struggling with emotional wellbeing and mental health challenges.
“As a parent, I see every day how important it is to talk about emotions and mental wellbeing and how easily children can bottle things up,” said Nadiya.
“Bright Young Dreams is such a special campaign because it gives kids the space and tools to express how they’re feeling. When I was asked to be an ambassador, I didn’t even have to think about it. And to launch it all by being interviewed by my daughter? That made it even more meaningful.”
Founder Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill added: “We’re thrilled to welcome Nadiya to the Bright Young Dreams family. She brings warmth, relatability, and an amazing personal story. Her bond with Mila really shines through in the interview, and we hope it inspires other families to have those important conversations.”
To watch Nadiya and Mila’s video, follow @brightyoungdreams on Instagram.
