Former Strictly Come Dancing professional Nadiya Bychkova has hinted at a return to television after departing the BBC ballroom show ahead of the 2026 series. The dancer, who was part of the pro lineup for nine years, is among five professionals who exited the show, including Karen Hauer, Gorka Marquez, Luba Mushtuk, and Michelle Tsiakkas.
New TV Projects and Panto Role
Speaking to Betway, Bychkova revealed she will play Tinkerbell in a pantomime production of Peter Pan this year. She also teased: "There are also some TV projects coming up that I can't talk about yet, but they are things I've always wanted to do. It's a very creative future for me."
Bychkova announced her departure from Strictly in March via Instagram, stating: "This isn't the end... I look forward to being part of the Strictly world for many years to come in ways I am beginning to explore."
Creative Ambitions and Acting Debut
Discussing her post-Strictly career, Bychkova said: "I'm definitely moving more into the creative side of things, with choreographing, producing shows, and developing my own ideas. I love collaborating, and I have a collaboration coming up with one of the orchestras in the UK to create a show combining music and dance in a way I haven't seen done before. I'm really excited about that."
She also plans to continue acting after making her big-screen debut in the Netflix film 10 Dance earlier this year. The movie, starring Japanese actor Keita Machida, follows two competing dancers whose partnership sparks an unexpected connection. Bychkova described the experience as something she "really enjoyed," adding that "it inspired me to keep developing that skill."
Fan Reaction to Film Debut
Bychkova's performance in 10 Dance received positive feedback from fans, with one Instagram user calling her "breathtaking" and another describing her performance as "beautiful and captivating."
Strictly Come Dancing is available on BBC iPlayer.
