Luba Mushtuk Makes First Public Appearance Since Strictly Come Dancing Departure
Professional dancer Luba Mushtuk stepped out for the first time since her departure from Strictly Come Dancing was confirmed, attending a performance of Kinky Boots The Musical at London's Coliseum on Sunday. The 36-year-old dancer, who recently announced her exit from the BBC show, was there to support her former Strictly colleague Johannes Radebe, who currently stars in the production.
Strictly Shakeup Sees Multiple Professionals Depart
Luba's appearance comes amid significant changes to the Strictly Come Dancing professional lineup. The Daily Mail revealed earlier this month that several top dancers including Luba, Nadiya Bychkova, Karen Hauer, Michelle Tsiakkas, and Gorka Marquez have all been let go from the popular BBC competition. This represents a substantial shakeup for the long-running dance show.
On Friday, Luba confirmed her departure with an emotional Instagram statement, writing: 'With a heart full of gratitude, the time has come for me to step away from Strictly Come Dancing. I am deeply grateful for the past 10 years on this beautiful show! Thank you for the amazing opportunity and the unforgettable memories. It has truly meant the world to me.'
Stylish Outing with Fellow Professionals
For her first public appearance since the announcement, Luba looked stunning in a black blazer paired with thigh-high leather boots. She was joined by fellow Strictly professionals Katya Jones, Carlos Gu, and Jowita Przystal, who are reportedly safe from the current round of departures. The group showed their support for Johannes Radebe, who takes the lead role in Kinky Boots The Musical.
Jowita Przystal turned heads in a denim dress with white leather heeled boots, while Katya Jones opted for a white shirt and denim skirt combination. Lewis Cope, who was partnered with Katya on last year's Strictly series, also joined the group for the theatrical outing.
BBC Pays Tribute to Departing Dancer
The BBC released an official statement paying tribute to Luba's contributions to Strictly Come Dancing. The statement shared on the Strictly Instagram account praised her 'outstanding contribution' to the show since joining in 2016 as an assistant choreographer before becoming a professional dancer two years later.
'Luba has been, and always will be, a much-loved member of the Strictly family, and we wish her every success in the future,' the statement concluded, highlighting her professionalism, creativity, and signature elegance both on and off the dance floor.
Luba's Strictly Journey and Future Plans
The Russian-born dancer, who moved to Italy at age 12 to train and became a four-time Italian Dance Champion, joined Strictly Come Dancing in 2018. Her Strictly journey included winning that year's Children In Need special with Boyzone's Shane Lynch and participating in four Christmas specials with various celebrity partners.
During her time on the main show, Luba was partnered with Olympic rower James Cracknell in 2019, former NFL player Jason Bell in 2020, actor Adam Thomas in 2023, and TV presenter Nick Knowles in 2024. In her departure statement, Luba expressed excitement about following her dreams beyond the show and mentioned looking forward to the Pro Tour 'for one last time.'
Luba's exit follows similar announcements from other Strictly professionals. Nadiya Bychkova recently released a statement about her role 'evolving' after nine years on the show, while Karen Hauer described her departure as 'stressful and emotional' just days before Nadiya's announcement.
