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Strictly Come Dancing has returned with a bang, but not without its controversies. Just weeks into the star-studded BBC series, professional dancer Nadiya Bychkova ruffled some feathers when reports surfaced that she had "slammed" celebrities with dancing experience. Last week, the mum-of-one took to Instagram to shut down these claims, insisting that the show is made for "people of all abilities".

This year, the Ukrainian dancer has been partnered up with former England rugby player Chris Robshaw. The pair found themselves in dangerous waters when they landed a spot in the first dreaded dance-off against Amy Dowden and Thomas Skinner, who were ultimately eliminated.

Now, a Reddit user who met the 36-year-old dancer has revealed what she is really like in real life. Taking to the popular community website, the user revealed how the doting mum showed her true colours after they collapsed by the stage door.

They wrote: "I have a chronic illness and I nearly fainted at the stage door (nothing to do with her, it's par for the course with my health). And she brought me past the security guards to sit on the steps of the tour bus and held my hand for ages until I felt better.

The pro dancer took things one step further when she offered to send the fan home in a taxi. They added: "She offered to pay for me to get a taxi home. Genuinely one of the sweetest humans I've ever encountered."

The blonde bombshell has endured her fair share of struggles on the BBC reality show, most recently suffering from a terrifying fall which she feared would leave her paralysed. Last month, the ballroom expert spoke out about the terrifying incident, which resulted in being rushed to the hospital by ambulance. She said: "It was a really scary moment.

"I was up on a chair and table in heels rehearsing for a group dance, and the next thing I knew, I was on my back in pain and not really sure what was going on. There are so many things that go through your head. I was incredibly worried because I couldn't feel my left leg, and I was unable to move."

Incredibly, Nadiya was able to get back to work ahead of the new BBC series without missing a blip. The return to Strictly comes amid controversy, including allegations of drug use and bullying.

When she was quizzed about the various scandals at the Downton Abbey premier, she told The Mirror: "Strictly is always in the headlines and this year is no different. We are all focused on doing the best job possible.

"I am always so thankful to be a part of the biggest show on telly and this is my ninth year. I would love to make it a decade next year, but my focus for the next few months is making the 2025 edition of the show, with a great bunch of celebrities, the best one yet."