NIKITA Kuzmin has angered Strictly after he signed up for Celebrity Big Brother – putting his future on the BBC dance show in jeopardy.

Strictly bosses are furious after discovering Nikita joined the rival show after giving the star a prominent position in the Strictly line-up.

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First image of hosts AJ Odudu and Will Best ahead of the return of Celebrity Big Brother.Credit: ITV

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Nikita reached the final of Strictly with Layton WilliamsCredit: Getty
They prefer professional dancers to remain exclusive to their channel, and believe appearances on competing shows puts Strictly at risk.

A source told The Sun: “Bosses at Strictly are hopping mad after learning that Nikita has signed up for the rival show.

“He is one of their biggest stars after reaching the final with Layton, and they don’t much like their pro dancers doing other shows on rival channels.

“The Beeb like their talent to be exclusive to them and they feel like Celebrity Big Brother isn’t the sort of thing their cast should be doing.

“This has put his future on the show in jeopardy and there are lots of discussions going on behind closed doors about whether he will be asked back.”

A rep for Strictly declined to comment.

The Ukrainian pro, 26, has only been on the prime-time BBC1 dance contest for three years.

He has seen his profile soar after being partnered with presenter Tilly Ramsay, Paralympian Ellie Simmonds and most recently West End star Layton Williams.

CBB’s launch on Monday night will be on arch rival ITV1 — prompting claims the dancer may have turned his back on the Beeb.

Others tipped for the house include former X Factor judges Louis Walsh and Sharon Osbourne, ex-This Morning host Fern Britton and Love Island’s Ekin-Su Cülcüloglu.

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Strictly Come Dancing’s Nikita Kuzmin breaks down in tears as he says goodbye to Layton Williams

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Nikita has seen his fanbase grow in the last three yearsCredit: Instagram