BBC Strictly Come Dancing's Nikita Kuzmin fights tears as he says he 'would give heart' to those who saved family

Strictly Come Dancing star Nikita Kuzmin was left fighting tears as he spoke about those who helped save his family while honouring unsung heroes at the annual Pride of Britain Awards 2024.

Fans of the BBC One dance contest are used to seeing the professional dancer with a smile across his face week after week as he competes for the glitterball in the hit show, this year with Olympic hockey star Sam Quek.

But away from the cameras, Nikita has been forced to deal with his fair share of stress, especially as he needed to help his grandmother escape Ukraine for her own safety.

READ MORE: BBC Strictly Come Dancing fans say 'oh no' as they fear for Chris McCausland amid 'another challenge'

Speaking about the act of kindness that will forever be etched in his memory, he told the Mirror at the Pride Of Britain Awards on Monday night (October 21), he tearfully said: "It's such a beautiful event. It's honestly my favourite one of the year by a mile.

"It just feels like a pure, pure event. The bravest of people, the loveliest of people all come together but we are all just celebrating. It's just the best thing ever."

He added: "I'm not going to say their names, and I'm not going to get emotional, but there were a lot of people who helped get my grandmother out of Ukraine when the war started. I would give them my heart if I could - I would give them my heart... I'm already tearing up. [eyes red with tears]. It's beautiful tears. You're making me cry. I'm emotional enough and thinking about my grandmother makes me cry."

After his stint on the BBC show, Nikita is set to go on his solo tour next year, Midnight Dancer, which will take him across the UK. He recently revealed that he is still in disbelief and feels scared that he's