Four professionals have reportedly been axed from the BBC programme.

Michelle Tsiakkas is one of the four professionals reportedly axed from Strictly Come Dancing (Image: BBC)

Four professional dancers have reportedly been axed from Strictly Come Dancing in a brutal shake-up. Michelle Tsiakkas, 30, Gorka Marquez, 35, Luba Mushtuk, 36, and Nadiya Bychkova, 36, are believed to have been dropped from the line-up as part of the BBC’s attempts to “freshen up” the series following a number of scandals and the departure of presenters Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman.

Cypriot performer Michelle joined the show in 2022 and was included once in the main line-up of professionals, partnered with EastEnders star Jamie Borthwick in 2024. While she is yet to comment on her alleged exit, Michelle shared a post on Sunday (March 8), to mark International Women’s Day.

Alongside an image of herself as a child, the dancer opened about experiencing challenging times in her life, but insisted “she never lost her sparkle”.

In another comment that appeared to allude to her Strictly departure, Michelle said strength is “about finding the light again, even after the storm”.

She wrote: “From the little girl with sparkle in her eyes, full of hope and innocent dreams…to the woman who has seen more of life than she ever imagined. There were moments that shaped her, challenged her and quietly changed her. But somehow, through it all, she never lost her sparkle.

“Because strength isn’t about never breaking…It’s about finding the light again, even after the storm. To every woman who is still standing, still growing, still shining in her own way – may you never forget the little girl inside you who first believed you could do anything.”

The comments were flooded with supportive messages from fans and her Strictly co-stars, including Amy Dowden, Vito Coppola and Dianne Buswell.

Michelle’s boyfriend and dance partner Simone Arena commented: “I love you. I stand with and by you today and everyday! Always.”

Others expressed hope that reports of her being axed were false, with one writing: “Tell me it’s not true WE LOVE YOU MICHELLE.”

Another shared: “I am so proud of everything you have ever been and everything you always will be. So many beautiful and exciting opportunities and adventures are still to come! You are an inspiration, today & everyday.”

A third echoed: “I really hope it’s untrue, and you’re not dropped from scd. A few could be dropped, not you!”

Michelle was partnered with Jamie Borthwick in 2024 (Image: PA)

Michelle joined the line-up of professionals in 2022 alongside Vito, Carlos Gu and Lauren Oakley. She went without a partner for her first two years, and again in 2025 after competing with former soap star Jamie, 31, the previous year.

Speaking to Express Online at the Pride of Britain Awards in October, Michelle shared how being left without a celebrity partner for the third time made her feel.

She said: “I was understandably disappointed. I think that’s a normal feeling that anyone would have. I thought last year was great and I just got a taste of what it was like to have a partner and I absolutely loved it. It’s a completely different experience when you have one, but then again I do understand that there’s a lot of pros and not all of them can get partners.”

“Her axing smacks of ageism,” a friend reportedly told The Sun. “Nadiya’s one of the most popular dancers so she can’t understand why she won’t be back, she’s devastated. The show is her life.”