Strictly Come Dancing bloodbath as ‘four dancers dropped from the show’ – latest updates
Four major stars from Strictly Come Dancing have suddenly been axed as bosses are said to be looking to create a "fresh start" after all of the scandals that have hit the BBC show
Four Strictly Come Dancing stars are reported to have been given bad news(Image: PA)
- BBC Saturday night favourite Strictly Come Dancing only airs from September til December but is rarely out of the news, and on Sunday, it emerged that four professional dancers had been dropped from the lineup.
- It all comes following a string of scandals that have unfolded behind the scenes on the BBC series in recent years, and also follows the sudden departure of Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, who had presented the programme together since 2010.
- New reports claim fan favourite and long-standing pro Gorka Marquez, who famously got engaged to former Hollyoaks star Gemma Atkinson after they met on the show, has been axed, along with fellow dancer Luba Mushtuk, 36.
- Michelle Tsiakkas, 30, who previously danced with EastEnders’ Jamie Borthwick before the actor was axed from the BBC soap, is also reported to be out.
- A short time later, it was reported that Nadiya Bychkova, who has danced with stars like Blue’s Lee Ryan, 80s pop star Matt Goss and rugby player Chris Robshaw during her time on the show, had also been axed.
- The BBC has not commented on the departures beyond saying: “Plans for Strictly Come Dancing 2026 will be confirmed in due course.”
- Nadiya had only recently expressed her desire to be back on the dancefloor, as she told The Mirror: “I hope so, who knows, we’ll get the call later in the year.”
- It was said that the star had been left “distraught” by the decision, and then insiders explained to The Sun : “Bosses want a fresh start and to bring in new faces after all the drama in recent years and create a new era!”
- According to insiders, even more changes could be on the horizon as the BBC prepares for the 2026 series, which will presumably go ahead in September.
- READ THE FULL STORY – Strictly Come Dancing in free fall as major stars axed
