Kai Widdrington – Strictly Come Dancing star’s Port Vale connection
The 2021 season of Strictly Come Dancing welcomed a new professional dancer in Kai Widdrington – and he has a family connection to Port Vale FC.
26 year-old Kai is the former World Junior Latin American champion and the son of former Port Vale captain Tommy Widdrington who had two spells with the club.
Widdrington, who also had spells with Southampton, Wigan Athletic, Grimsby Town and Hartlepool United played almost a hundred games for the Valiants.
The midfielder was initially signed by Brian Horton in 1999 on loan from Grimsby Town. He was then signed on a permanent basis in the summer of 1999. He was named as player of the year in 2000 before being appointed captain by Horton. He made 89 appearances before being released in 2001. Widdrington then returned for a second spell in 2004 when he made another six appearances.
The former midfielder is now a Director at League Two rivals Bristol Rovers.
Tommy Widdrington at Vale Park
Spells: 1999 (loan), 1999-2001, 2004-2005
Games: 95
Goals: 8
Honours: Player of the year, 2000
A social media post on Kai Widdrington’s Facebook page.
Top image of Kai Widdrington – BBC/Strictly Come Dancing