Former Strictly Come Dancing professional James Jordan has described the departure of several professionals on the BBC show as getting rid of "dead wood."
The dancer featured on the ballroom competition from 2006 until 2013, and has now shared his thoughts on the significant changes implemented before the upcoming series.
Earlier this year, it was announced that professional dancers Karen Hauer, the show's longest-serving pro, and Gorka Marquez, Nadiya Bychkova, Luba Mushtuk and Michelle Tsiakkas would all be leaving the programme.
Yet James has maintained that the overhaul was exactly what was "needed" to create opportunities for fresh talent, reports the Mirror.
Speaking to the Press Association, he stated: "When you join Strictly, you're taking someone's job, OK? And people forget that because they're on the show, but then when they're asked to leave, and then they're replaced, they're only worried about that."
He continued: "But they forget at some point, they took someone's job. It's just showbiz, that's what it is. Enjoy it for what it is – it is a juggernaut of a show, and it was an honour for all of us to be part of it for so many years."
"But you have to remember that it will come to an end at some point, and all this controversy around, 'Oh, they're changing so many of the pros'... it needed a shake-up. Some of the pros have been on there for 14 years... dead wood... get rid of them and bring someone younger in, in my opinion."
However, ex-Strictly professional Ian Waite took a different view, stating: "In my opinion, they got rid of the wrong ones." He went on: "All the professional dancers are amazing in their own right, but you can't stay on there forever. At some point, you have to give the younger ones a chance, because there's so many amazing dancers out there."
James also called for the "reality" of the programme to be shared, remarking: "It's all like everyone loves everyone, and we're all one big happy family. That's not life, that's not real life. I want to see how hard they're working in the training room. I want to see the tears. I think that's the magic that needs to come back."
Hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman confirmed they were leaving the programme last year, with Emma Willis, Johannes Radebe and Josh Widdicombe taking over presenting duties.
James described Emma as an "amazing" selection, though acknowledged he would have "preferred" to see another well-known television personality alongside her. He commented: "I would have preferred someone like Bradley Walsh or Vernon Kay, or someone like that, because they're tried and tested," adding: "But at the same time, sometimes you got to take risks, and I'm not going to say it's not good, because I haven't seen it until I see it."
This year, James and Ian are teaming up with former Strictly professionals Brendan Cole, Pasha Kovalev and Vincent Simone for the dance show Vegas: After Hours. The production aims to capture the essence of Sin City with performances set to music linked to Las Vegas performers.
The 30-date tour begins in Fareham on October 3, wrapping up in Cardiff on November 8. Tickets can be purchased through the venues, Ticketmaster, and via The Legends in Vegas: After Hours | Concert Tour.
