Strictly Come Dancing Shake-Up Sees Four Professional Dancers Axed
Hold onto your glitter balls, as Strictly Come Dancing is reportedly undergoing a significant professional dancer cull, with four stars including Nadiya Bychkova allegedly dropped from the line-up. While the BBC has yet to officially confirm the reports, insiders claim the Ukrainian ballroom dancer, along with Gorka Marquez, Luba Mushtuk, and Michelle Tsiakkas, will not return as full-time professionals for the upcoming series.
Nadiya Bychkova's Devastating Exit After Nearly a Decade
According to sources, Nadiya Bychkova, who joined the Strictly professional troupe almost ten years ago, learned of the decision during a meeting with bosses on Friday and has been left heartbroken. A source told The Sun: "Nadiya is distraught. The news came as such a huge shock as Nadiya’s life was Strictly and to find out she’s not been invited back as full time pro has really broken her heart."
The 36-year-old dancer, known for partnerships with celebrities like broadcaster Dan Walker and singer Lee Ryan, never reached the final during her tenure. The insider added: "No one was expecting producers to chop so many professionals, especially someone like Nadiya, who’s shown so much dedication to the show over the years."
Major Overhaul Follows String of Controversies
This shake-up comes as BBC bosses are determined to refresh the long-running BBC1 series after a turbulent period marked by scandals. The show has faced controversies involving both professionals and celebrity contestants, prompting a broader overhaul that includes new presenters following the departures of Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman in December.
Recent issues include:
- Professional dancer Giovanni Pernice leaving after complaints from celebrity partner Amanda Abbington, who accused him of bullying and aggressive behaviour.
- Dancer Graziano Di Prima being removed following allegations of misconduct with partner Zara McDermott.
- A male Strictly star being interviewed by police on suspicion of rape and alleged non-consensual intimate image abuse earlier this year.
Other Dancers Reportedly Dropped in the Cull
The reported exits extend beyond Nadiya Bychkova, affecting other long-standing and newer professionals:
- Gorka Marquez: The Spanish dancer, part of the show for a decade, reached the final three times and met his partner, actress Gemma Atkinson, on the programme in 2017.
- Luba Mushtuk: The Russian dancer joined eight years ago but had not been paired with a celebrity contestant in recent seasons.
- Michelle Tsiakkas: The Cypriot dancer, a more recent addition, was paired with Jamie Borthwick in 2024, whose partner sparked controversy by reportedly using an ableist slur backstage.
A source revealed the atmosphere among remaining professionals is tense: "There’s a super weird feeling among the rest of the pros now, they’re all wondering if they’re safe and everyone’s nervous."
BBC's Response and Future Plans
In response to the reports, the BBC stated: "Plans for Strictly Come Dancing 2026 will be confirmed in due course." This indicates that while changes are underway, official announcements are pending. The overhaul aims to inject new energy into the series, with fresh faces both on and off the dance floor, as producers seek to move past recent controversies and revitalise the beloved show.
