Strictly Come Dancing is reportedly undergoing a major overhaul for its 2026 series, with a fourth professional dancer said to have been dropped by BBC bosses. Following earlier reports that Gorka Márquez, Luba Mushtuk and Michelle Tsiakkas would not return, Nadiya Bychkova has allegedly been told she will not be part of the new series.
The Ukrainian dancer, 36, is said to have received the news during a meeting with producers on Friday 6 March, leaving her “distraught”. An insider told The Sun: “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. No one was expecting producers to chop so many professionals.”
Bychkova joined Strictly in 2017, partnering celebrities including Davood Khadami and Dan Walker. Despite her dedication, she never reached the final, partly due to her 5ft 8 height limiting her pairing options. The other three axed dancers—Márquez (2016), Mushtuk (2018) and Tsiakkas (2022)—all lacked a celebrity partner in 2025 but are due to appear in the upcoming Strictly: The Professionals tour.
The Independent has approached Bychkova’s representatives for comment. A BBC representative said: “Plans for Strictly Come Dancing 2026 will be confirmed in due course.”
