FORMER Strictly pro Nadiya Bychkova showed off her washboard abs as she showered in the sunlight just days after she was culled from the show.
Ukrainian ballroom dancer Nadiya, 36, was one of seven of Strictly Come Dancing’s pro dancers to be axed before the next series.
Nadiya learnt of her fate on Friday, but put her troubles behind her at a luxury £3k-a-night resort in Turkey.
She stood in the crystal waters of the resort’s pool cove and let a shower wash away her troubles.
The stunning dancer posed in a white bikini and took in the serenity of her locale as she closed her eye and smiled.
Nadiya posted the series of photos to her Instagram with the caption: “Water. Light. Silence. One of those rare moments of perfect calm.”
She was one seven dancers axed in a brutal cast shake-up to the BBC’s flagship show, with the brutal reason behind the culling revealed.
The other axed dancers included, Gorka Márquez, 35, Neil Jones, 43, Nancy Xu, 34, Karen Hauer, 43, Michelle Tsiakkas, 30, and Luba Mushtuk, 36.
But it turns out the decision five pros were given marching orders because of a so-called “popularity contest.”
According to a report in the Mail, the BBC had conducted “meticulous” market research to learn which dancers were still a hit with viewers.
“It was basically a popularity contest,” an unnamed source told the outlet.
“Those who have had the bullet simply were not liked by the fans. It’s harsh, but it’s true.”
The source added: “Most watching at home are female. Women tend not to like the female pros, but they love the men.”
They also explained that the BBC audience had not “warmed” to Nadiya and not because of ageism or her friendship with former Strictly partner, TV host Dan Walker.
After almost a decade on the show, Nadiya was reportedly devastated to not be returning.
“Nadiya’s one of the most popular dancers so she can’t understand why she won’t be back. She’s devastated. The show is her life. She’s not sure what she’ll do,” one of her friends told The Sun.
The cull at Strictly is continuing as Beeb bosses look to freshen up the show and to coincide with new presenters being brought in to replace Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly, who quit the long-running contest last series after 11 years’ co-hosting.
Bosses also want a a fresh start to help Strictly move on from its recent series of controversies, including accusations of bullying.
