Strictly Come Dancing is reportedly undergoing a revamp for its 2026 series, with several professional dancers expected to be dropped. Karen Hauer, Gorka Márquez, Luba Mushtuk, Michelle Tsiakkas, and Nadiya Bychkova are believed to have been told they will not return. For one of these stars, the BBC has reportedly swung the axe due to her alleged 'tantrums' backstage.
Ukrainian dancer Nadiya Bychkova, 36, is said to have been cut from the line-up of dancers as part of a major overhaul by Strictly bosses. Reports claim her backstage behaviour has played a part in the decision to drop her, with allegations of several off-camera outbursts. Her split from fellow dancer Kai Widdrington has also been said to have caused tension behind the scenes.
A Strictly source told the MailOnline that Nadiya didn't react well to not having a celeb partner in the 2023 series of the show. Nadiya's last three outings with a celebrity partner haven't pulled up any trees - she hasn't even made the top 10 with any of them. In order to keep standards high on the show, whoever replaces Nadiya will 'achieve better results'.
Execs want the pros to treat the series like a sport and get the best results out of their partners, without going over the top and avoiding bullying scandals which have marred the show in recent years. There are conflicting reports about the status of two dancers. Reports claim Karen Hauer and Katya Jones could be at risk of losing their jobs on the BBC reality staple.
However, Katya Jones is reportedly set to remain on the show, with sources indicating bosses consider her a 'legend' due to her popularity and choreography skills. Following the exits of hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman last year, bosses are said to want a 'fresh start' for 2026, after the show has been hit by a string of scandals in recent years. The BBC has not officially confirmed the departures.