Professional dancer Jowita Przystal has been forced to address swirling rumours about her future on Strictly Come Dancing, after a cryptic social media post sent fans into a panic that she was quitting the BBC juggernaut.
Cryptic Post Sparks Immediate Speculation
The 31-year-old Polish dancer, who joined the show in 2022 and won that same year with wildlife cameraman Hamza Yassin, shared a photograph on Instagram following Saturday night's live final. The image showed her with her 2025 celebrity partner, 63-year-old Scottish presenter Ross King. The pair were the second couple eliminated from the latest series.
It was the caption that caused alarm, however, as Jowita wrote: “Last dance partner on strictly floor x.” The wording immediately sparked a flurry of concerned comments from followers of the show, who feared it signalled her departure.
One anxious fan questioned online: “Jowita just shared this! Is this her last year?” Another echoed the sentiment, replying: “I wondered also. I hope not she is my fav female pro.” A third remarked that it would be a strange way to announce an exit, highlighting the confusion the post created.
Swift Clarification on Instagram Stories
Recognising the concern she had inadvertently caused, Jowita returned to Instagram later to set the record straight. She posted a new image to her Stories, this time posing with fellow Strictly professionals.
In a clear clarification, she wrote alongside it: "So grateful for being a part of the best show on tv. And just to clarify my last post it was about my last dance with ross, not me leaving the show. Hopefully far from my last dance on that dance floor."
This direct statement has reassured fans that the 2022 champion, who also danced with cyclist Jody Cundy in 2023 and TOWIE's Pete Wicks in 2024, intends to return to the ballroom.
A Show in Transition as Hosts Depart
The scare over Jowita's future comes amid a significant changing of the guard for Strictly. Fans are still coming to terms with the confirmed departure of the show's iconic presenting duo, Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman.
The pair announced in October they would be leaving after the 2025 series and will not host the 2026 season. Following Saturday's final, both shared emotional farewell messages on social media.
Tess Daly, 56, who has fronted the show since its 2004 launch, posted a heartfelt note on Instagram. She described Strictly as a show "made with love, where joy is the currency" and expressed being "forever grateful for the unforgettable years."
Co-host Claudia Winkleman shared a backstage photo of the pair walking hand-in-hand, simply captioning it: "For the last time... I love you @tessdaly." Their exits mark the end of an era for the beloved Saturday night staple.
The 2025 series was won by former footballer Karen Carney and her professional partner Carlos Gu, who triumphed in the live final over fellow finalists.
