Following widespread reports that the Strictly cast has had a major shake-up, the professionals who are said to be leaving the BBC dance competition have been left reeling

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Strictly star ‘in hiding after brutal axe’ as BBC bosses leave dancer ‘heartbroken’(Image: CREDIT LINE:BBC/Ray Burmiston)

Strictly Come Dancing professional Luba Mushtuk has been left “devastated” by the reported shake up that has seen BBC bosses axe a raft of dancers from the main show. The star has found herself forced into “hiding”, after the decision for her to leave the show felt abrupt, leaving her career “up in the air”.

Luba, 36, is one of several pros who has been allegedly given the boot, with co-stars Gorka Marquez, Michelle Tsiakkas, Karen Hauer and Nadiya Bychkova also reported to be leaving. But for Luba, the news has left her closing herself off from her concerned family and friends.

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Luba Mushtuk is said to be “devastated” after being dropped from the Strictly line-up(Image: Rowan Griffiths / Daily Mirror)

A source told the Express : “Luba is absolutely devastated. Strictly has been her life for years and she genuinely believed she would be back.” They source added that she has completely withdrawn from the public eye since the news, explaining: “She’s basically in hiding right now. She’s not answering calls, not replying to messages – she just wants to process it privately.”

The source said that there is no suggestion of “wrongdoing” or concerns with her performance, it’s just the “brutal reality of TV”, and that sometimes producers just “refresh the cast”. But it’s the abrupt nature of her departure that’s left Luba struggling.

The insider added: “She thought she had more time. There was no long goodbye, no gradual transition — just a phone call telling her she wouldn’t be needed.”

Dancer Luba had reportedly been planning her future projects around her Strictly commitments, so to hear she is now out of work has left “everything up in the air”, according to the source. Another source told the paper that it’s not just financially tough, but leaving Strictly in such a manner takes its toll on their emotions.

They said: “Strictly isn’t just a job — it becomes your family. Losing that overnight is incredibly tough. She’s heartbroken now, but she’s talented and hardworking. Opportunities will come — just not immediately.”

It comes as Luba’s fellow dancer Michelle Tsiakkas pulled out of the Strictly professionals live tour, after news of her departure from the main show was rumoured. The official Instagram account for the tour posted: “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.”

But a friend of the dancer said the real reason Michelle quit was that has “a lot to process”. The source told the Sun: “Michelle feels like she’s got a lot to process at the moment. She’s made a lot of personal sacrifices for the show and was in it for the long term.

“I think she feels like she was promised one thing but has been given something totally different.” The Mirror has reached out to Michelle’s reps. The BBC declined to comment.

Michelle has been part of Strictly since 2022, and has become a firm favourite among fans. Reports claiming she left the show come after the competition has been hit with a number of scandals, plus the departure of long-term hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman.

Meanwhile, The Sun also reported there could be further shock changes to the show, as bosses are keen to turn over a new leaf after recent difficulties and scandals. They said: “Bosses want a fresh start and to bring in new faces after all the drama in recent years and create a new era.”