A Strictly Come Dancing star has dropped out of the live tour.

One of Strictly’s dancers has withdrawn from the forthcoming professional dancers tour mere days after speculation emerged that they have been dropped from the main series. Michelle Tsiakkas, 30, was scheduled to join her fellow professionals on the upcoming stage show celebrating their contributions to the BBC competition series, but will no longer feature in the theatre production, which is set to launch in April.

The official Instagram account for the tour announced: “Michelle Tsiakkas has decided not to take part in Strictly The Professionals 2026 Tour. We are naturally disappointed but respect her decision and wish her every success for the future. We look forward to starting the tour rehearsals early next month with Julian, Vito, Neil, Gorka, Lauren, Jowita, Luba, Alexis, Kai and Nancy.”

It comes just says after reports surfaced that Michelle, alongside long-standing pro Gorka Marquez has been dropped, together with fellow dancer Luba Mushtuk, Karen Hauer and Nadiya Bychkova.

"Strictly Ballroom

Michelle Tsiakkas has dropped out of the Strictly professionals live tour (Image: Getty)

 

A source told The Sun: “There are major changes taking place with dancers having meetings about their contracts over the next few weeks. Bosses want a fresh start and to bring in new faces after all the drama in recent years, and create a new era.”

The BBC is yet to comment publicly on the changes to the show.

Karen’s exit from the show appears to have been accidentally confirmed by her former dance partner, Sunday Brunch star Simon Rimmer.

He penned on Instagram: “Absolutely gutted that the very best teacher and dancer @karenhauer has been axed from @bbcstrictly – thanks for everything Karen. #friendsforlife.”

 

It comes after a source told Daily Mail: “Karen is the latest professional dancer to be told her contract will not be renewed this year. It’s very much a case of out with the old and in with the new. As the longest-serving female dancer, Karen found out last week that her time on Strictly is over.”

The mass cuts come just months after presenters Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman announced their joint exit from the show, with their final show airing on Christmas Day 2025. Their replacements are yet to be announced.