Strictly Come Dancing's Nadiya Bychkova 'Distraught' as BBC Axes Four Pros in Major Shake-Up
Strictly Come Dancing professional Nadiya Bychkova has been left "distraught" after being dropped from the BBC's flagship dance competition, becoming the fourth dancer to lose their place in what insiders are calling a "bloodbath" behind the scenes. The 36-year-old, who joined the show in 2017, was reportedly informed on Friday that she would not be returning as a full-time professional dancer for the 2026 series.
Major Overhaul Following Scandals and Host Departures
The shock decision comes as BBC bosses are determined to shake up the long-running series following a number of scandals in recent years and the departure of veteran hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman. Sources indicate that producers are seeking to give the show a "fresh lick of paint" with new presenters and professional dancers, creating widespread uncertainty among the remaining cast members.
Nadiya Bychkova's axing follows reports that fellow professionals Gorka Marquez, Luba Mushtuk, and Michelle Tsiakkas have also been given the boot. This represents one of the most significant cast culls in the show's history, with insiders describing a "super weird feeling" among the remaining dancers who are now questioning their own positions.
Dancer's Heartbreak After Nearly a Decade on Show
A source close to Nadiya told The Sun: "Nadiya is distraught. The news came as such a huge shock as Nadiya's life was Strictly and to find out she's not been invited back as full time pro has really broken her heart. No one was expecting producers to chop so many professionals."
The five-time world champion dancer had expressed hope just last month about returning to the show, telling the Mirror at the TV Choice Awards: "I hope so, who knows, we'll get the call later in the year." She had recently settled in the UK full-time with her daughter and was looking forward to another series.
Putting on a Brave Face Amid Devastating News
Despite the devastating news, Nadiya appeared to be putting on a brave face on International Women's Day, posting Instagram content showing her dancing by a swimming pool while holding a champagne flute to Bruno Mars music. In her caption, she spoke about "the strength, the joy, the resilience and the beautiful way we lift each other up" - words that now carry poignant significance given her sudden departure from the show.
The Ukrainian-born dancer, who joined the Strictly professional troupe almost a decade ago, had partnerships with celebrities including broadcaster Dan Walker and singer Lee Ryan but never reached the final. Her dedication to the show over seven years made her axing particularly surprising to both fans and fellow professionals.
Fellow Professionals Also Affected
The other dancers reportedly leaving the show represent significant losses to the Strictly lineup. Spanish dancer Gorka Marquez has been part of the professional line-up for a decade, reaching the final three times and meeting his partner, actress Gemma Atkinson, on the show in 2017.
Russian dancer Luba Mushtuk joined eight years ago but hasn't been partnered with a celebrity contestant in recent seasons, while Michelle Tsiakkas, who joined more recently, was paired with Jamie Borthwick during the 2024 series. Fans have expressed sadness that some dancers "never got a chance to shine" despite their contributions to professional dance numbers.
BBC Remains Tight-Lipped About Future Plans
The BBC has remained officially non-committal about the reports, telling media outlets: "Plans for Strictly Come Dancing 2026 will be confirmed in due course." The dancers themselves have not commented publicly on their departures.
Nadiya had previously spoken about the host replacements, telling the Mirror: "I'm sure the producers will make a great decision. Many people would love to be in that position because it's such a fantastic show to host. I don't have a shortlist myself, too many names to list, so I'm looking forward to seeing who they choose."
The overhaul comes after Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman's departure in December 2025, ending their long tenure with the show that began in 2004 for Daly and 2014 for Winkleman on the main program. Their exit has created additional pressure for producers to refresh the format while maintaining the show's enduring popularity with British audiences.
