Strictly Come Dancing professionals showed solidarity as Luba Mushtuk attended Johannes Radebe's performance in Kinky Boots The Musical at the London Coliseum, shortly after being dropped from the BBC show. Mushtuk was joined by Katya Jones, Carlos Gu, and Jowita Przystal, presenting a united front following what has been described as a 'bloodbath' in the show's cast.
Johannes Radebe is preparing to reprise the role of drag queen Lola in the hit musical, which tells the story of Charlie Price inheriting a failing shoe factory and creating high-heeled boots after meeting a cabaret performer. Mushtuk, who described herself as 'absolutely devastated' by her axing, shared the news on Instagram, expressing gratitude for her decade on the show but stating it was time to follow her dreams beyond the programme.
Strictly Come Dancing released a statement thanking Mushtuk for her contributions since joining in 2016 as an assistant choreographer and later as a professional dancer. The statement praised her professionalism, creativity, and dedication, noting she would remain a much-loved member of the Strictly family. Fellow axed dancer Karen Hauer commented 'Love you friend' on Mushtuk's post, while Amy Dowden also offered support.
The cast shake-up has seen several dancers leave, including Karen Hauer, Nadiya Bychkova, Michelle Tsiakkas, and Gorka Marquez, sparking rumours of ageism. Reports suggest BBC bosses made decisions based on each dancer's TikTok following in a bid to attract younger audiences, aiming to supercharge the show's online reach and cultural relevance.
