Strictly Come Dancing professionals are reportedly being dismissed without warning, leaving some facing financial ruin. The BBC show is set for another major shake-up after several seasons of controversy, with Nadiya Bychkova becoming the fourth dancer told she will not return.
A source told The Sun: "It's brutal. Once they're axed, there is very little in the way of duty of care and they are left to lick their wounds alone. Some of the dancers have been told their fate in a 15 minute phone call, even when they'd been on the show for years."
Former dancer Brendan Cole, who was dropped in 2018 after nearly 15 years, described receiving a short phone call. He said: "It's quite hard to talk about. The BBC haven't renewed my contract. I'm a little bit in shock, I'm quite emotional, a bit raw about it." Reports indicate Cole later faced debts including a £28,000 tax bill and a £50,000 bounce back loan.
Tragically, Robin Windsor, who was dropped before the 2015 series, died by suicide. In his note, he wrote: "This all really started when I lost my job on Strictly and have been fighting it ever since. The way they treated me destroyed me." The BBC said: "Our sympathies are with Robin's family. He was a much loved member of the team."
In 2024, the show announced additional steps to strengthen welfare and support following a number of incidents and complaints.
