Strictly star ‘distraught’ after losing spot in BBC ‘bloodbath’ with ‘4 pros axed’

Strictly Come Dancing’s Nadiya Bychkova, who has been on the show since 2017, has been axed from the next series of the show as BBC bosses are determined to shake things up

Nadiya Bychkova

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Nadiya Bychkova has been named as the fourth pro to get the chop(Image: @nadiyabychkova/INSTAGRAM)

Only last month Strictly Come Dancing’s Nadiya Bychkova was speaking about her hopes that the show’s producers would ring her and offer another series of the BBC hit. But today it was reported that the popular dancer has become the fourth of the programme’s much-loved pros to lose their place on the show.

The shock news follows reports that Nadiya’s fellow pro dancers Gorka Marquez, Luba Mushtuk and Michelle Tsiakkas have all be given the boot. It comes after it was reported that BBC bosses are determined to shake up the show following a number of scandals in recent series and gave fans a fresh start after hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman’s departure.

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Today Nadiya, 36, who has been on the show since 2017, appeared to be putting on a brave face, doing her dance moves beside a swimming pool white clutching a champagne flute to the strains of Bruno Mars.

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The five-time world champion told fans about “the strength, the joy, the resilience and the beautiful way we lift each other up” on International Women’s Day. However, a source has said she is “distraught” to have got the chop.

Nadiya Bychkova

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Nadiya Bychkova danced by the pool on her Instagram feed today(Image: @nadiyabychkova/INSTAGRAM)

Nadiya dancing

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She spoke about strength, joy and resilience on International Women’s Day(Image: @nadiyabychkova/INSTAGRAM)

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Speaking to the Mirror in an exclusive chat at the TV Choice awards last month Nadiya said she was hoping to return to the dance floor after settling with her daughter full-time in the UK. When asked if she would sign up again, she said: “I hope so, who knows, we’ll get the call later in the year.”

However, after meeting with bosses on Friday, Nadiya was shocked to hear that she had not been invited back as a full time pro dancer. A source 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.

“Especially someone like Nadiya, who’s shown so much dedication to the show over the years. There’s a super weird feeling among the rest of the pros now, they’re all wondering if they’re safe and everyone’s nervous.”

Strictly Come Dancing’s Nadiya Bychkova has been left 'distraught' after losing her place on the BBC show

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Strictly Come Dancing’s Nadiya Bychkova has been left ‘distraught’ after losing her place on the BBC show(Image: PA)

It comes after it was reported BBC bosses are determined to shake-up the show following a number of scandals in recent series.

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It comes after it was reported BBC bosses are determined to shake-up the show following a number of scandals in recent series.(Image: PA)

Nadiya, who joined the Strictly professional troupe almost a decade ago, had partnerships with celebrities including broadcaster Dan Walker and singer Lee Ryan but never made it to the final.

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She has been the fourth pro dancer named as departing from the show amid a major overhaul behind the scenes. Fans reacted to the news today, with one saying: “If it’s true feel sad for Luba and Michelle as they never got a chance to shine. They’ve been brilliant in pro dances however.”

Spanish dancer Gorka has been part of the Strictly professional line-up for a decade and has reached the final three times during his run on the programme. The 35-year-old also met his partner, actress Gemma Atkinson, after appearing on the show in 2017, with the pair going on to have two children together.

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Russian dancer Luba joined the series eight years ago but has not been partnered with a celebrity contestant in recent seasons. Meanwhile Michelle, who joined the professional troupe more recently, was paired with Jamie Borthwick during the 2024 series.

The dancers have not commented on the reports. The BBC told us: “Plans for Strictly Come Dancing 2026 will be confirmed in due course.”

BBC bosses are reportedly determined to give the long-running BBC1 series a fresh lick of paint with new presenters, after hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman departure in December, and more new faces.

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Nadiya spoke to the Mirror at the TV Choice Awards and shared that she was “sure the producers will make a great decision” when it comes to replacing Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, who decided to leave the hit dance show last year.

Gorka Marquez

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Gorka Marquez has been with the show for years(Image: PA)

Luba Mushtuk

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Luba Mushtuk is one of the show’s favourite pros(Image: PA)

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“I’m sure the producers will make a great decision,” she said. “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.”

Tess and Claudia had been with the show since 2004 – Tess as the main host alongside Bruce Forsyth and Claudia taking the lead on spin-off It Takes Two before joining the primary show in 2014.

They both decided to step down at the end of the last series, which conclude in December 2025.