AJ Odudu has revealed she remains to be 'chatting' to her Strictly Come Dancing associate Kai Widdrington as she mirrored on the present not ending the best way she 'really needed'.
The TV presenter, 33, was pressured to bow out of the BBC collection within the days earlier than the ultimate after she injured her foot, leaving her unable to bounce.
The star sparked romance rumours with Kai, 26, all through their time on the present and confirmed they're preserving in contact throughout an Instagram video on Wednesday.
Explaining her lack of video updates, she stated: 'I simply went off to cry for days. Then I went to work and now I am again.
'I simply really feel actually pleased now as a result of primarily what I've realised is that, sure, Strictly did not finish in the best way that I actually needed it to finish however I am nonetheless actually grateful for the entire expertise which was overwhelmingly optimistic.
'I simply really feel grateful that I used to be a part of the collection that was probably the most inclusive and progressive that it is ever been and lengthy stay that sort of variety on our screens.
'I've made the most effective associates and had the most effective time and sure, I am nonetheless chatting to Kai so all the pieces is nice.'
AJ added that she is wanting ahead to spending the festive interval together with her household and thanked her followers for his or her messages after her harm.
She stated: 'Now it is Christmas and identical to Santa, I've acquired little helpers. My mum's been right here, my youngest sister has flown in.
'Simply need to say thanks for all of your effectively needs, it is actually acquired me by means of these previous few days and all of your help all through the months and weeks.
'I could not have requested for kinder messages and higher help so thanks and merry Christmas.'
The video comes after AJ informed how she was 'lacking' Kai in a candy Instagram put up she shared on Tuesday.
The presenter shared a slew of images of her and Kai collectively, many displaying Kai carrying the star on his again.
AJ additionally added a video from the ultimate on Saturday, with Kai giving her a piggyback throughout the dancefloor after she injured her foot and needed to withdraw from the competitors.
Alongside the pictures, she wrote: 'Simply lacking @kaiwidd being my private mode of transport TBH. I actually did have his again.'
The put up did nothing to squash the romance rumours concerning the couple in the course of the course of the present and plenty of followers took to the feedback to beg the pair to get collectively.
One follower wrote: 'Preserve checking to see in the event you've acquired married but to one another xx'.
Whereas one other commented: 'in the event you're not collectively, I will hand ship you each Oscars I swear'.
A 3rd echoed: 'Aren't you two collectively! C'mon did all of us think about the blazing romance?'
On Saturday's last, AJ took the time to pay a heartfelt tribute to Kai - and their 'unbreakable bond.'
She stated: 'I actually wouldn't have been right here with out Kai. Studying to bounce has really been the largest pleasure and each single week now we have stated 'dance prefer it's your final.
'And I am so glad we did that from week one as a result of we did not know that our final dance was our final dance. We did not know. However I'm glad that our final dance(s), plural, I am glad that they had been sensible and everybody loved them as a lot as we did.'
The choreographer responded: 'This lady simply each week outdoes herself. Each week after I come into the coaching room I really feel like probably the most luckiest skilled to be within the room with a lady like this. She is probably the most strongest character, even after the setbacks that we have had.
'She's made my first season on Strictly the most effective expertise ever and it will at all times maintain a spot particular in my coronary heart. We did not get the possibility to bounce tonight, however my God does she look the half!'
It comes after it was reported that the pair are being lined up for one final Strictly look after she was unable to participate within the last.
Chatting with The Solar, a present supply stated: 'The winner of the present returns to carry out once more for one dance when the collection begins up once more and it has been urged AJ could possibly be allowed to return again for one final activate the dance ground.
'Nothing has been determined but however, if they will make schedules line up, AJ could possibly be again for a last spin.'
This might not be the one event a celeb has been invited again, as Nicola Adams and Katya Jones returned for a particular routine after they had been pressured out by Covid final 12 months.
The supply added: 'The concept of permitting AJ to carry out one final routine is one thing they'd like to make occur.'
