Former Strictly Come Dancing professional James Jordan has described the recent departure of five dancers from the show as 'getting rid of dead wood', sparking debate about the BBC series' direction. Jordan, who danced on Strictly from 2006 to 2013, said a shake-up was 'needed' after the programme confirmed Karen Hauer, Gorka Marquez, Nadiya Bychkova, Luba Mushtuk and Michelle Tsiakkas would not return.
However, fellow ex-pro Ian Waite offered a contrasting view, stating: 'In my opinion, they got rid of the wrong ones.' Waite, who appeared from 2004 to 2010, acknowledged the need for change but praised all the professional dancers as 'amazing in their own right'.
Jordan suggested the cuts could have extended to the judging panel, criticising the show's current 'nicey-nicey' and 'politically correct' tone. He expressed a desire for more 'reality' on screen, saying: 'I want to see how hard they’re working in the training room. I want to see the tears.'
The shake-up also includes new hosts following the departures of Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman. Emma Willis, dancer Johannes Radebe, and comedian Josh Widdicombe will take over. Jordan praised Willis as 'absolutely amazing' but reserved judgement on the others, admitting he would have preferred 'tried and tested' presenters like Bradley Walsh or Vernon Kay.
Later this year, Jordan and Waite will reunite with former Strictly professionals Brendan Cole, Pasha Kovalev, and Vincent Simone for a new dance show, Vegas: After Hours, which aims to capture the essence of Sin City.
