Axed Strictly Come Dancing pros ‘learning their fate in brutal 15-minute phonecalls’

As rumours continue swirling around the Strictly Come Dancing professionals’ lineup, it’s been claimed some stars were informed of their axing in a ‘brutal’ way.

Over the weekend, it was reported that four hugely popular pros would not be returning when Strictly comes back to screens in autumn.

Gorka Marquez, Luba Mushtuk, Michelle Tsiakkas, and Nadiya Bychkova have all been dropped, according to TV insiders.

Meanwhile, co-stars Neil Jones and Nancy Xu will remain part of the programme but will not be assigned celebrity partners. They may still feature in the group routines.

The speculation has caused carnage online, with Strictly fans now facing a nervous wait to find out who is in and who is out, while also anticipating an announcement regarding hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman’s replacements.

And in the latest reports, it’s been alleged that BBC bosses have had calls lasting just 15 minutes with some professional dancers to give them their bad news, catching them off guard.

A source told The Sun: ‘It’s brutal. Once they’re axed, there is very little in the way of duty of care, and they are left to lick their wounds alone.

‘Some of the dancers have been told their fate in a 15-minute phone call, even when they’d been on the show for years.’

They added that ‘many of them feel like the BBC has pulled the rug from under them, with no warning.’

Metro understands that the BBC has welfare measures in place to support its stars. These were amplified further in 2024 after claims of physical and verbal bullying in the training room.

As explained on the BBC’s website, a production team member is now present in the training room at all times, with designated Welfare Producers for both celebrity contestants and professional dancers hired. Additionally, further training was delivered to production teams and crew.

At the time of the changes, the BBC stressed that the duty of care is ‘taken extremely seriously’.

Kate Phillips, Director of Unscripted, previously said that, having been made aware of alleged inappropriate behaviour, they were keen to act.

‘The decisive steps we have taken act to further strengthen the welfare and support in place for everyone involved with this production.’

Reacting to the axing rumours in recent days, viewers have declared them ‘big mistakes’, expressing how ‘heartbroken’ they feel for the victims of the cull.

Spanish pro Gorka has had a long, successful run on Strictly since joining almost 10 years ago.

He’s reached the final three times with Maisie Smith, Alexandra Burke, and Helen Skelton and become so popular, in fact, that he was forced to miss most of last series due to his judging role on Strictly’s Spanish edition.

As for Luba, she joined the show eight years ago, with her celeb partners including Adam Thomas and Nick Knowles. Sadly, she’s never made the final and has been benched several times.

Meanwhile, Michelle is newer blood, having joined the Strictly family in 2022 and impressing everyone with her partnership with Jamie Borthwick. Although some believe her fate was somewhat ‘sealed’ when the EastEnders actor became embroiled in a scandal, having been filmed using a disabled slur backstage.

And finally, there’s Nadiya, who is thought to be ‘devastated’ upon learning of her firing.

She joined Strictly in 2017 at the same time as Amy Dowden and Dianne Buswell and quickly became one of its most captivating pros.

The closest she’s come to victory was in 2021 when broadcaster Dan Walker finished in fifth place, while her other celeb partners include Matt Goss, Lee Ryan, and Tom Dean, but audiences have long championed her being assigned a ‘ringer’ to essentially guarantee her a longer stint, since her recent pairings have fallen at early hurdles.

Following news of the major shakeup, sources claimed higher-ups are keen to start afresh with Strictly as it enters a new chapter without Tess and Claudia.

It’s no secret that the nation’s favourite dance show has become tainted by controversy, what with the so-called Strictly relationship curse, a lengthy bullying investigation, the downfall of Wynne Evans after his inappropriate comments, and, most recently, a drug probe.

As a result, a source explained to 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.’

Last series, Julian Caillon and Alexis Warr joined the roster and were instant hits with audiences at home, what with Julian surviving the most dance-offs ever with Balvinder Sopal, while Alexis made the final with George Clarke.

But if sources are to be believed, there are still plenty more pros for us to meet.

The BBC has been contacted for comment.

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