Nadiya Bychkova was left shocked after Prince Andrew revealed he was a serious Strictly fan during a chance meeting last year.
The professional dancer, 34, who has starred on the hit BBC show since 2017, struck up a conversation with Andrew, 64, at an event where he confessed he was a fan of hers.
Speaking to The Mirror, Nadiya revealed that the Duke of York knew a great deal about her performances and history on the show.
She told the publication: ‘Prince Andrew and I had a little conversation last year and he knew everything – when I was in, when I was out and who won. It blows my mind how big the show is.’
Asked about the King and Queen, Nadiya said: ‘Any opportunity to meet them would be an honour. I mean, goodness me, the fact that they’ve watched Strictly.
Strictly star Nadiya Bychkova has revealed Prince Andrew’s secret love for the BBC dance show ‘blew her mind’
The professional dancer, 34, who has starred on the hit BBC show since 2017, struck up a conversation with Andrew, 64, at an event where he confessed he was a fan of hers
‘Angela Rippon was telling me that she had a meeting with the Queen and she was saying she thought we were cool. That’s the most mind-boggling thing in the world. It’s amazing for us that Strictly has this incredible reach.’
However Prince Andrew isn’t the first member of the royal family to admit their love of the show to Nadiya after she previously revealed that Princess Anne, 73, would love to be a contestant on the series.
According to The Sun, the Ukrainian professional dancer said: ‘I met her at a ballet event. She is a Strictly fan and she wants to go on the show – she told me. She did say that.
‘I think she would be good — there’s a lot of personality there, isn’t there?’
The two-time World and European Champion seemed thrilled about Princess Anne’s comment – and said she’d ‘put a good word in’ as she suggests candidates to show bosses.
Queen Camilla has also admitted she is ‘one of Strictly’s greatest fans’.
Nadiya added the royals are self-confessed fanatics of the show, remarking they ‘watch it all the time’.
Camilla has even danced with the show’s stars in the past including Len Goodman in 2019 and with Brendan Cole and Craig Revel Horwood during the Christmas special in 2017.
Speaking to The Mirror, Nadiya said: ‘Prince Andrew and I had a little conversation last year and he knew everything – when I was in, when I was out and who won. It blows my mind how big the show is’ (pictured dancing with her partner Dan Walker in May)
Princess Anne, 73, admitted to be a huge fan of the hit BBC dancing competition and is keen to join the show, according to Nadiya (pictured at Royal Albert Hall in 2015)
Earlier this year, Queen Camilla said she’s one of the greatest fans of Strictly Come Dancing as she chatted to Johannes during a visit to a community centre in Cambridge
Meanwhile Johannes also previously revealed he once met Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh who ‘personally told’ him they would love to star on Strictly (pictured with Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh in April)
Johannes Radebe met Queen Camilla back in February as he gushed that he was ‘beside myself’ with happiness that she watches the show.
Camilla gave a Buck House tea party for Strictly, sat in the audience and once recorded a video message for the final.
And co-presenter Tess Daly has indiscreetly revealed that King Charles is also a fan claiming: ‘They watch religiously.’
Meanwhile Johannes also previously revealed which member of the Royal Family ‘personally told’ him they would love to star on Strictly.
Appearing on The Jonathan Ross Show last month, the professional dancer, 36, revealed he once met Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh, who expressed her passion for the show.
Johannes said: ‘She would love the opportunity to [compete in Strictly Come Dancing] but she can’t obviously. She has personally told me this.’
