Strictly Come Dancing professional Aljaž Škorjanec has defended the BBC's decision to axe several dancers from the show, saying it keeps things “fresh”. The Slovenian dancer, who returned to the series in 2024 after a two-year break, said that whatever the bosses do is “in the best interest of the show”.
Last week, it was reported that professionals Michelle Tsiakkas, Gorka Márquez, Luba Mushtuk, Nadiya Bychkova and Karen Hauer had been dropped. While Škorjanec noted that everyone is “waiting for the official announcement”, he told The Mirror on Sunday that, although it is sad to see co-stars leave, “it’s equally exciting to see new faces, fresh energy, and people who bring something different”. He added that this means “the show never gets stale”.
The BBC has said the official announcement about this year’s professionals and new hosts will be made in due course. Shortly after the reports, Tsiakkas, who joined in 2022, quit the 2026 professionals tour, seemingly in response.
It has also been reported that Neil Jones and Nancy Xu will remain on the show but without celebrity partners. Xu said she was initially upset but is “still part of the Strictly family” and will compete in group performances. Meanwhile, the search for new hosts continues after Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman departed in December 2025, with Alex Jones and Zoe Ball among the frontrunners.
