Strictly Come Dancing Star Luba Mushtuk 'Devastated' After Sudden BBC Axe
Strictly Come Dancing professional Luba Mushtuk has been left "devastated" and has retreated into hiding following a brutal axe from the BBC dance competition, according to insider reports. The 36-year-old dancer is among several pros allegedly cut from the main show in a major cast shake-up that has sent shockwaves through the entertainment world.
Abrupt Departure Leaves Career 'Up in the Air'
A source close to Luba revealed to the Express that the star has completely withdrawn from public life since receiving the news. "She's basically in hiding right now. She's not answering calls, not replying to messages - she just wants to process it privately," the insider explained. The decision felt abrupt, with no long goodbye or gradual transition, leaving Luba's career plans in disarray as she had reportedly been organising future projects around her Strictly commitments.
The source emphasised there was no suggestion of wrongdoing or performance issues, describing it as the "brutal reality of TV" where producers sometimes refresh the cast. However, the sudden nature of her departure has made the situation particularly difficult for Luba, who genuinely believed she would return to the show that has been her life for years.
Multiple Professionals Reportedly Axed in Major Shake-Up
Luba is not alone in facing this professional setback. Fellow dancers Gorka Marquez, Michelle Tsiakkas, Karen Hauer, and Nadiya Bychkova are also rumoured to be leaving the popular BBC programme. The reported departures come as the competition seeks to turn over a new leaf following recent scandals and the exit of long-term hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman.
Another source highlighted the emotional toll, stating: "Strictly isn't just a job - it becomes your family. Losing that overnight is incredibly tough. She's heartbroken now, but she's talented and hardworking. Opportunities will come - just not immediately."
Michelle Tsiakkas Withdraws from Professional Tour
In a related development, fellow professional Michelle Tsiakkas has pulled out of the Strictly The Professionals 2026 Tour. The official tour Instagram account announced her decision, expressing disappointment while respecting her choice and wishing her success. However, a friend of Michelle suggested the real reason was that she has "a lot to process" following her reported departure from the main show.
A source told the Sun: "Michelle feels like she's got a lot to process at the moment. She's made a lot of personal sacrifices for the show and was in it for the long term. I think she feels like she was promised one thing but has been given something totally different." Michelle, who joined Strictly in 2022, had become a firm favourite among fans.
The BBC has declined to comment on the reported cast changes, leaving the professional dance community and viewers awaiting official confirmation about the future lineup of one of Britain's most beloved entertainment programmes.
