Strictly pros Nadiya Bychkova, Gorka Marquez, Luba Mushtuk and Michelle Tsiakkas have reportedly already been ditched.

Two more Strictly pros have reportedly been axed (Image: BBC)

Two more Strictly Come Dancing stars have reportedly been axed as part of a huge bloodbath at the BBC – after the news broke that four pros have been ditched over the weekend. After hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman quit the show last year, it looks like bosses at the Beeb want a complete overhaul of the format.

This weekend, it was reported that professional dancers Nadiya Bychkova, Luba Mushtuk, Gorka Marquez and Michelle Tsiakkas have all been axed from the 2026 line-up. Now, however, The Sun reports that Neil Jones and Nancy Xu are the latest names to be dropped as they will not have celebrity partners this year.

Sources told the publication that Xu and Jones won’t be offered full-time contracts, but may still appear in group dances.

One source told the publication: “Usually contract discussions would begin at the end of the year but they were kept waiting until this week.

“There’s talk of even more dancers facing the chop. Everyone is petrified for their future.”

Sources also claimed to the publication that Nadiya’s axing “smacks of ageism”, telling The Sun: “They’re clearing all the old crew out to make way for new dancers.”

Nadiya Bychkova is said to be ‘distraught’ (Image: Getty)

Nadiya was hospitalised last year with a back injury caused by a fall during Strictly rehearsals. The year before, she broke her thumb while practising for a group number.

Her rollercoaster Strictly career also saw her date, then separate from, fellow pro dancer Kai Widdrington.

Michelle, meanwhile, only joined the show in 2022. Gorka signed up in 2016 and met his wife Gemma Atkinson on the programme a year later. Luba has been a part of Strictly since 2018.

Express.co.uk has contacted the BBC for comment.