Strictly Come Dancing Star Michelle Tsiakkas Expresses Heartbreak Over Sudden Dismissal
Michelle Tsiakkas, a professional dancer on Strictly Come Dancing, has publicly shared her devastation after being unexpectedly sacked from the BBC series. The 30-year-old TV star, who joined the show in 2022 and notably partnered with former EastEnders actor Jamie Borthwick in 2024, described the experience as having her "dream shattered" and admitted she is now "grieving" the loss of her role.
Shock Announcement via Zoom Meeting
The dismissal came during a half-hour Zoom meeting with executive producer Sarah James, where Tsiakkas was informed her contract would not be renewed for the upcoming series. She expressed profound shock, stating, "I didn’t see it coming. I thought I had more time. When she told me I wasn’t coming back, there was a moment of shock. I felt my story was unfinished." Tsiakkas added that the news felt "out of the blue" and left her heartbroken, navigating through emotions of sadness, confusion, and frustration.
Emotional Toll and Professional Withdrawals
In an interview with The Sun, Tsiakkas elaborated on the emotional impact, saying, "Everything I have known for the past four years has gone. Your brain goes through change and panic. It was so sudden, I had a feeling of hopelessness." As a result, she has withdrawn from the Strictly: The Professionals 2026 Tour, with the official Instagram account confirming her decision and expressing disappointment while wishing her future success.
Broader Changes at Strictly Come Dancing
This dismissal is part of a larger overhaul at Strictly Come Dancing, which includes the departure of hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman after more than a decade, as well as other professional dancers like Karen Hauer, Luba Muhstuk, and Nadiya Bychkova. Insiders suggest that bosses are seeking a "fresh start" to move past recent turbulence and create a new era for the ballroom competition, with further changes possible before the 2026 series airs.
A friend of Tsiakkas revealed that she quit the tour because she has "a lot to process" after the main show decision. The source indicated that all current dancers will have meetings in the coming weeks to discuss their futures, as producers aim to shake things up and introduce new faces to revitalise the long-running series.
