Former Chelsea football legend Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink has been left reeling after his Strictly Come Dancing partner dramatically quit the show mere weeks before the glitterball competition was set to commence.
The professional dancer Robin Windsor, who was paired with the 51-year-old sports pundit, made the shocking decision to withdraw from the upcoming series following what sources describe as a "difficult conversation" with BBC producers.
Unexpected Phone Call Rocks Strictly Camp
According to insiders, Hasselbaink received the devastating news through an abrupt telephone call that left both the footballer and production team scrambling. The sudden departure has created chaos behind the scenes as producers race against time to find Windsor's replacement.
"Jimmy is absolutely gutted," revealed a show source. "He and Robin had already begun building a strong partnership and were excited about their Strictly journey. This has thrown everything into disarray just as training was intensifying."
Behind the Scenes Drama Unfolds
The Mirror can exclusively reveal that Windsor's exit stems from a major disagreement with BBC bosses regarding the direction of this year's competition. While specific details remain confidential, the conflict appears to centre around creative differences that couldn't be resolved.
Strictly insiders suggest the professional dancer felt strongly about certain aspects of the show's format and his partnership with Hasselbaink, ultimately leading to his dramatic decision to walk away.
Strictly's Replacement Race Against Time
With the launch show rapidly approaching, BBC producers are now in a frantic search for a new professional dancer to partner with the former Netherlands international. The timing couldn't be worse, as celebrities typically require several weeks of intensive training before the first live show.
This isn't the first controversy to hit this year's Strictly lineup. The casting of Hasselbaink had already raised eyebrows among some viewers, though the former footballer had been widely praised for his enthusiastic approach to the competition.
The BBC has acknowledged the situation but remains tight-lipped about specific details, stating only that "the professional dancer line-up for the upcoming series will be confirmed in due course."
As the Strictly team works to contain the fallout, fans are left wondering how this last-minute shake-up will affect Hasselbaink's chances in the competition he was so eagerly anticipating.
