Dan Walker and Nadiya Bychkova’s ‘friendship’ is the talk of Strictly as stars of the show are ‘obsessed’ with how they are still so close.

The Channel 5 News presenter, 47, competed on the BBC series with Nadiya, 35, in 2021 and together the pair danced their way to the quarterfinals.

More than three years on from the TV compeтιтion, Dan remains good friends with the Ukrainian dancer, and they regularly spend time in each other’s company and share snaps of their outings on Instagram, which is in stark contrast to his relationship with wife of 23-years Sarah, who he keeps ultra private. 

He met the mother of his three children at the University of Sheffield and says she prefers to stay out of the limelight, revealing in 2021: ‘She doesn’t want to be on social media. Simple as that. She’s much wiser than me.’ 

But Dan and Nadiya’s friendship goes beyond Instagram with the pair indulging in luxurious meals and posing together at red carpet events.

This month, Dan supported the Strictly star on tour, interviewing the mother-of-one on stage for A Special Evening with Nadiya during the Sheffield and Barnsley shows.

Dan Walker and Nadiya Bychkova’s ‘friendship’ is the talk of Strictly as stars of the show are ‘obsessed’ with how they are still so close three years after competing on the BBC series 

The Channel 5 News presenter, 47, competed on the BBC series with Nadiya, 35, in 2021 and together the pair danced their way to the quarterfinals 

Dan was spotted with Nadiya as they attended L’Atelier Robuchon Grand Opening Party in London’s Mayfair in September 2023

They also took part in a glamorous cover shoot for the Yorkshire Post Magazine together where Dan wore a tuxedo and Nadiya stunned in a figure-hugging red gown.

The shoot, set up to promote Nadiya’s UK shows, pictured the former Strictly pair gazing lovingly at each other sat around a piano.

And now, after the pair were pH๏τographed enjoying a lunch together in London last week, sources close to Strictly have revealed to MailOnline that the cast is ‘obsessed’ with their friendship.

An insider said: ‘Dan and Nadiya’s friendship has become the talk of the Strictly cast.

‘They performed on Strictly together three years ago but are spending more time together than ever.

‘Most of the cast keep in touch with their partners and cast from their series, just Dan and Nadiya have taken their support of each other’s careers to the next level.’

Dan and Nadiya were seen spending time together last week, eating a ‘long lunch’ at a Vietnamese restaurant in London.

A source told The Sun that their friendship is ‘still going from strength to strength.’

The Ukrainian professional dancer pictured with Dan in 2021 as they competed together during the 19th series of Strictly Come Dancing 

Former BBC Breakfast host Dan, who is married to childhood sweetheart Sarah, with whom he shares three children, recently invited Nadiya to the Channel 5 News studios

In December, Dan and Nadiya ate a luxury dinner at the Ritz London, where they were treated to food by ‘culinary legend’, chef John Williams 

Dan has been married to wife Sarah (pictured) since 2001 after they met at Sheffield University and the couple share three children, two daughters and a son

Last month it was revealed that the pair use the lobster emoji on Instagram to communicate with each other in code.

The reference dates back to the jive they performed on Strictly to The B-52’s hit Rock Lobster and is a regular feature on their respective profiles.

Dan also nicknames Nadiya the ‘Yorkshire Barmaid’, referring to a skit the pair did for Instagram where the dancer pretends she works behind a pub bar pulling pints. 

Former BBC Breakfast host Dan, who is married to childhood sweetheart Sarah, with whom he shares three children, recently invited Nadiya to the Channel 5 News studios.

Sitting behind the desk together, Dan interviewed Nadiya about her life including the glitz and glamour of Strictly, leaving home at the age of 10 years old, and how she achieved her dancing dreams.

When asked by Dan who her favourite ever Strictly partner is, she replied ‘they’re on the wall’, pointing to pH๏τos of the couple from their 2021 performances. 

In December, Dan and Nadiya ate a luxury dinner at the Ritz London, where they were treated to food by ‘culinary legend’, chef John Williams.

Dan claimed on Instagram the get-together was to celebrate Nadiya’s birthday despite the fact she’s born in August. 

Nadiya wore a floor-length bejewelled gown for their intimate meal. 

A month earlier in November, they both attended the Radio Times Covers Party where Dan ᴀssisted Nadiya by holding her bags.

Reflecting on his night at London’s Claridge’s Dan wrote on Instagram: ‘I also held on securely to the belongings of 2-time World Champion Nadiya Bychkova.’

Nadiya replied: ‘Thanks partner! You are THE BEST’ followed by two lobster emojis. 

The Channel 4 news anchor met Nadiya in 2021 when they performed on the 19th series of Strictly together, reaching the quarterfinals of the compeтιтion 

Nadiya has been single since her split from fellow Strictly dancer Kai Widdrington who she dated for two years before they parted ways in July last year (pictured July 2023)

During her appearance on Dan’s show, Nadiya spoke about leaving her childhood home in Ukraine when she was 10 years old in pursuit of her dancing dreams

She expressed her fondness for Dan by commenting ‘So proud of you partner, congratulations’ with two lobster emojis, after he won the Presenter of the Year Award at a broadcasting ceremony in November. 

Dan hit out following Nadiya’s early exit from the Strictly compeтιтion after her celebrity partner Olympic swimmer Tom Dean was the first to be voted off the show.

In September, he said: ‘What just happened on Strictly feels a bit messed up. Tom Dean’s departure will go down as one of THE early shocks.’

The Ukrainian dancer has been single since her split from fellow Strictly dancer Kai Widdrington, 29, in July last year.

Nadiya and Kai’s romance was revealed shortly after she split from ex fiancé, Slovenian footballer, Matija Škarabot, who is the father of her seven-year-old daughter. 

Meanwhile, Dan has been married to wife Sarah, who he rarely pictures on his Instagram profile, since 2001 after they met at University. 

She was last seen cheering Dan on from the Strictly studio audience after he danced to one of her favourite songs, Billy Joel’s ‘She’s Always a Woman.’ 

MailOnline has contacted Dan and Nadiya’s representatives for comment.