Nikita Kuzmin glides across the ballroom floor with apparent effortlessness, but behind every performance lies a meticulous balancing act between dance and type 1 diabetes. The Ukrainian-born *Strictly Come Dancing* professional manages his condition while competing at one of the highest levels of televised dance.
Age: 27 (born Dec 23, 1997) ·
Nationality: Ukrainian ·
Championships: 6-time Italian Latin and Ballroom Champion ·
TV Show: Strictly Come Dancing ·
Instagram: 339K followers
Quick snapshot
- Diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age 13 (The Independent (UK editorial))
- Joined Strictly in 2021 as a new professional dancer (RTÉ (Irish broadcaster))
- Finished runner-up in 2023 final with Layton Williams (RTÉ) (The Independent (UK editorial))
- Born in Kyiv, Ukraine on 23 December 1997 (RTÉ) (The Independent (UK editorial))
- Current relationship status — publicly single as of 2025, but no official confirmation from Kuzmin’s management
- Exact height — widely estimated at 5’10” but unconfirmed
- Details of daily diabetes management regimen during performances
- Whether he has any siblings
- 2000s: Family moved from Ukraine to Italy when Kuzmin was nine (RTÉ)
- 2021: Joined Strictly Come Dancing (RTÉ)
- 2022–2024: Relationship with Nicole Wirtz
- 2025: Announced Supernova solo tour for 2026 (RTÉ)
- Supernova solo tour, June/July 2026 (RTÉ)
- Continuing as a Strictly professional for future series
- Public advocacy around type 1 diabetes awareness
Nine key facts, one pattern: Kuzmin’s life story is built on overcoming medical and logistical challenges through discipline — not luck.
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Nikita Kuzmin (RTÉ) |
| Date of Birth | December 23, 1997 (RTÉ) |
| Age | 27 (turning 28 in Dec 2025) |
| Nationality | Ukrainian (RTÉ) |
| Profession | Professional Dancer |
| TV Show | Strictly Come Dancing |
| Championships | 6-time Italian Latin and Ballroom Champion |
| 339K followers | |
| Health Condition | Type 1 diabetes (The Independent) |
| 2023 Strictly Result | Runner-up with Layton Williams (RTÉ) |
Is Nikita on Strictly in a relationship?
Current relationship status of Nikita Kuzmin
As of early 2025, Kuzmin appears to be single. He has not publicly announced a partner since his split from Nicole Wirtz in 2024. Some tabloid reports, including from Heart (UK radio station) and Closer Online (celebrity magazine), have linked him to model Lauren Jaine, but these remain unconfirmed by Kuzmin or his representatives. The lack of an official statement leaves his current romantic status firmly in the “unclear” category.
Past relationships
Kuzmin dated Nicole Wirtz, a fellow dancer, from approximately 2022 to 2024. The couple kept their relationship relatively private, and neither has spoken publicly about the reasons for the split. Speculation has centered on demanding schedules and the so-called “Strictly curse” — the pattern of relationships ending during or after the show — but nothing has been confirmed by either party.
For a public figure who shares his diabetes journey openly, Kuzmin’s relationship life remains notably guarded. Readers should treat tabloid claims about Lauren Jaine as unverified until Kuzmin or a direct source confirms them.
The implication: Kuzmin maintains tight control over his private life while selectively sharing his health struggles, a deliberate boundary that leaves tabloid claims unverified.
What illness does Nikita have on Strictly?
Type 1 diabetes diagnosis
Kuzmin has type 1 diabetes, an autoimmune condition requiring lifelong insulin management. He was diagnosed at age 13, a time when his family had recently moved from Ukraine to Italy (The Independent (UK editorial)). In a March 2025 appearance on BBC’s *Morning Live*, Kuzmin demonstrated what low blood sugar looks like in real time, describing his shaking as “the reality of diabetes” (The Independent). The diagnosis, according to The Sun (UK tabloid), nearly ended his dance career at its outset.
How Nikita manages diabetes during performances
Kuzmin manages his condition with insulin and dietary adjustments. Viewers have noticed a glucose monitoring device on his arm during broadcasts — a common tool for type 1 diabetics to track blood sugar without finger-prick tests (Heart). He has described his condition publicly as a “superpower” in an interview with Manchester Evening News (UK regional press), reframing the constant monitoring as a source of resilience rather than limitation.
For any dancer — but especially one performing live on national television — a blood sugar crash mid-routine could be dangerous. Kuzmin’s openness means young viewers with the same condition see a professional managing it without hiding.
The pattern: by framing a chronic condition as a disciplined advantage, Kuzmin reshapes the narrative from limitation to agency.
Have Nikita and Nicole split?
Nikita and Nicole’s relationship timeline
Kuzmin and Nicole Wirtz were together from 2022 to 2024. The relationship coincided with Kuzmin’s rise on Strictly, including his runner-up finish in 2023. As of early 2025, neither has posted about the other on social media for months, and they no longer appear together at public events.
Reason for split
No official reason has been given. The “Strictly curse” narrative — demanding rehearsal schedules and intense emotional bonds with dance partners — has been cited by tabloids, but remains speculation. Both Kuzmin and Wirtz have kept the split private. What is confirmed: the relationship ended sometime in 2024, and Kuzmin has not since introduced a new partner publicly.
The pattern: when a Strictly professional’s relationship ends without a statement, the rumour mill fills the gap faster than facts can. Readers should treat all speculation about the reason as exactly that — speculation.
Are Nikita and Amber a couple?
Strictly partnership and rumour
Kuzmin was partnered with actress and singer Amber Davies on the 2023 series of Strictly Come Dancing. The pair performed together throughout the competition and — as is common on the show — generated romantic speculation. Social media photos showed them in close poses, and tabloids ran stories suggesting a romance.
Amber and Nikita’s statements
Both Kuzmin and Davies denied any romantic involvement. One circulating “kissing snap” was confirmed to be from a promotional photoshoot, not a private moment. The pair reiterated that they were dance partners and friends only (RTÉ).
What this means: despite the online rumour mill, the only confirmed relationship between Kuzmin and a dance partner remains professional.
Has Nikita Strictly got a girlfriend?
Current girlfriend status
As of 2025, Kuzmin does not appear to have a public girlfriend. He has not announced a new relationship since his split from Nicole Wirtz. Unverified reports linking him to Lauren Jaine have not been confirmed by Kuzmin or his representatives.
Who is Nikita Kuzmin’s girlfriend?
The short answer: there is no confirmed girlfriend. Any name circulating online — including Lauren Jaine — should be treated as unconfirmed until Kuzmin or an official source addresses it directly.
“SUPERNOVA TOUR June & July 2026”
— Nikita Kuzmin, via Instagram, announcing his first solo tour
“The diagnosis nearly ended his dance career.”
— The Sun (UK tabloid), reporting on Kuzmin’s diabetes
The catch: Kuzmin’s guarded relationship status contrasts with his openness about health, keeping fans guessing about his personal life.
Career timeline: How Nikita Kuzmin became a Strictly star
- 23 December 1997 — Born in Kyiv, Ukraine (RTÉ)
- Age 9 — Family moves to Italy (RTÉ)
- Age 13 — Diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (The Independent)
- 2021 — Joins Strictly Come Dancing as new professional (RTÉ)
- 2022–2024 — Relationship with Nicole Wirtz
- 2023 — Runner-up in Strictly final with Layton Williams (RTÉ)
- 2024 — Split with Nicole Wirtz
- March 2025 — Appears on BBC Morning Live discussing diabetes (The Independent)
- 2025 — Announces Supernova tour for June/July 2026 (RTÉ)
From a diagnosis that nearly ended his career to headlining his own tour, Kuzmin’s trajectory is a case study in managing a chronic condition without letting it define the narrative.
The pattern: Kuzmin’s timeline shows a steady ascent built on resilience, not luck, with each setback reframed as a stepping stone.
deepreport.uk, en.wikipedia.org, briefingroom.uk, strictlycomedancing.fandom.com, diabetes.org.uk, nationalaffairs.co.uk, uk.wikipedia.org, orebrofronten.se
A thorough profile of Nikita Kuzmins personal and health journey delves into his diabetes and relationships.
Frequently asked questions
Who is Nikita Kuzmin’s girlfriend?
As of 2025, Kuzmin has not confirmed a girlfriend. Reports linking him to model Lauren Jaine remain unverified.
Does Nikita have a boyfriend?
Kuzmin has not publicly stated that he is in a same-sex relationship. His past relationship was with dancer Nicole Wirtz.
What is Nikita Kuzmin’s height?
Kuzmin’s height is estimated at around 5’10” (178 cm), but his management has not confirmed an exact figure.
Who are Nikita Kuzmin’s parents?
Kuzmin’s parents are Ukrainian. They moved the family to Italy when he was nine. Their names have not been widely publicized.
Has Nikita Kuzmin won Strictly Come Dancing?
No. He finished as runner-up in 2023 with Layton Williams. Ellie Leach and Vito Coppola won that series (RTÉ).
How old is Nikita Kuzmin?
Nikita Kuzmin was born on 23 December 1997, making him 27 years old. He will turn 28 in December 2025 (RTÉ).
What is Nikita Kuzmin’s nationality?
He is Ukrainian. He was born in Kyiv and now lives in the UK for his work on Strictly Come Dancing (RTÉ).
For Kuzmin and his fans, the implication is clear: his career is defined by resilience, not scandal. The unanswered questions — about relationships, exact height, daily medical routines — are gaps the public will have to live with until Kuzmin chooses to fill them. For readers who want to follow his next move, the Supernova tour in 2026 is the concrete event on the horizon.
Harry Thompson is Senior Reporter at PublicReport, covering breaking UK news and political stories across the country.