Strictly Come Dancing’s Nikita Kanda reveals hilarious reason Gorka Marquez calls her Peppa Pig

Virgin Radio

4 Oct 2023, 10:50

Radio host and Strictly Come Dancing star Nikita Kanda has revealed the funny nickname she has been blessed with by her partner Gorka Marquez.

The 28-year-old opened up about landing in the dreaded dance off last weekend against Les Dennis and Nancy Xui - and the hilarious name her pro partner calls her during training.

Appearing on BBC Two's Strictly: It Takes Two with dance partner Gorka, 33, the pair told presenter Fleur East about her new questionable tag.

Talking about where the nickname came from, Nikita asked Gorka: "What do you call my laugh?"

Gorka replied: "Peppa Pig laugh."

Nikita explained: "Yeah... sometimes I snort when I laugh."

Gorka added: "When she does that, I call her Nikita Pig. And I'm her partner George Pig."

Fleur laughed: "Err, it's all love. I'm sure it's all love...!", while Nikita showcased the Peppa-inspired giggle.

The couple are gearing up for this coming weekend's Movie Week where they will be dancing a jive to Kim Wilde's Kids In America from 90s classic Clueless.

"I'm a bit nervous," Nikita admitted.

"I think it's even faster than the Charleston so it's definitely a case of working on the footwork. I know [Craig Revel Horwood] is going to be watching those feet.

"It's about just getting the feet right and the time of it."

Gorka added: "This dance is very fast. The leg action, kicks and flicks... there's a lot of that."

Over the weekend, Nikita and Gorka performed the Charleston to Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It) by Beyoncé, before Les and his dance partner, Nancy Xu, delivered their Samba to Rock The Boat by Hues Corporation.

In Les' exit speech, the comic said about his pro partner Nancy, despite reports of a rift: “I’ve had the best time, this lady has been amazing, a great teacher, she’s really put me through my paces."

Which celebrity contestant will be next to say cha-cha-cheerio?

Strictly Come Dancing continues at 6.20pm, BBC One, on Saturday October 7.