Kai Widdrington persued his passion for dance (Picture: David Fisher/Shutterstock)
Kai Widdrington is known for his fancy footwork on Strictly Come Dancing, but he could have been doing a different kind if he’d followed in his dad’s footsteps.
The 28-year-old is the son of Tommy Widdrington – a former Premier League football player, and the current manager of Aldershot Town – and it was looking likely he was going to pursue a similar career path.
Now reflecting on his journey to the BBC ballroom, Kai compared himself to Billy Elliot after he had to tell Tommy that he’d like to be a dancer at 12 years old.
‘I got a contract offer from Southampton to be a left-back and I’m a right-footed left-back so I could play with both feet,’ he recalled to talkSPORT’s Hawksbee and Jacobs show.
‘So I was half decent right and I was quite quick and I turned it down to dance with the British champion. Bearing in mind at this time I wasn’t very good, but apparently, she fancied me right.
‘So I was like “yeah go on then!”‘
Kai started on Strictly in 2021 (Picture: PA)
Unlike, the 2000 movie where Jackie refused to support his son’s ballet dream, Tommy helped Kai to pursue his goal when he had to choose between his two worlds.
Kai was forced to decide between football and dance due to a diary clash – both football matches and dance competitions would take place on Sundays, and performing Salsas was more appealing than getting involved in tackles.
‘The conversation I had with my old man was like “Listen Dad, I just love dancing that little bit more” and to be fair to him, I was never worried to tell him. That’s how I knew it was going to be ok,’ he explained.
Tommy was supportive of Kai (Picture: Nathan Stirk/Getty Images)
‘You know, during the week where he’d be training with Salisbury or wherever else he was, he would drive me two hours to have an hours lesson then drive me back, he was the most supportive dad.
‘He was and wasn’t the Billy Elliot dad!’
Before committing to dance, Kai trained with Luke Shaw at Southampton’s academy.
Kai had a successful tackle against Luke (Picture: Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)
Years later, he still recalls ‘rainbow flicking’ the Manchester United and England player in one session.
The impressive move involves rolling the ball up the back of one leg with the opposite foot, before using the standing foot to flick the ball forwards and over the head. It is usually carried out while running forward.
Even Kai was surprised at his own skills: ‘I’d never done that in my life, I was on trial wearing blades on an astroturf and getting rinsed, so I rainbow flicked.
‘He’s probably not bothered now on a quarter of a million pounds a week at Man United!’
Proud dad Tommy added: ‘Kai has no regrets about football. He is Premier League in terms of what he is doing.’
Kai is heading on tour with his girlfriend Nadiya (Picture: Hoda Davaine/Dave Benett/Getty Images)
Theo Widdrington plays for Aldershot Town (Picture: Nathan Stirk/Getty Images)
Kai was a World Junior Latin American champion aged 14 and secured a role on the BBC juggernaut in 2021 after previously being part of Ireland’s version. He reached the final with AJ Odudu in his first year but the pair were forced to bow out due to an injury, and most recently reached seventh place with Angela Rippon. He’s currently preparing for his tour, Behind the Magic, with his girlfriend Nadiya Bychkova.
‘He could have signed for Saints when we moved to the South. The bloke who was left back at the time was Luke Shaw,’ said Tommy.
‘I remember them saying to me when he went on trial: “I am not sure he is better than the one we have got (Luke) but we will keep him.”‘
Kai’s younger brother Theo did follow their dad into football and currently plays for the National League team Aldershot Town.
Strictly Come Dancing series 21 is available to watch on BBC iPlayer
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.