Strictly Come Dancing star Nadiya Bychkova has reportedly been axed from the BBC show due to her alleged behaviour behind the scenes.
The 36-year-old was said to have been left distraught on Friday, after BBC bosses reportedly broke the news that she has been dropped from the upcoming line-up of professional dancers.
The Ukrainian dancer first joined the Strictly family in 2017, alongside Amy Dowden and Dianne Buswell.
However, it was reported over the weekend that Bychkova had been let go from the show, as part of a reported widespread shake-up of this year’s series.
A new report has now claimed that Bychkova was axed from the ballroom after ‘falling out of favour’ with bosses at the show, rather than reports that it was over her age.
Get personalised updates on Strictly
Wake up to find news on your TV shows in your inbox every morning with Metro’s TV Newsletter.
Sign up to our newsletter and then select your show in the link we’ll send you so we can get TV news tailored to you.
An insider has claimed that factors included ‘diva-like outbursts’, her friendship with Dan Walker and her past relationship with fellow pro Kai Widdrington led to the decision.
Widdrington and Bychkova separated in July 2024 after two years of dating, but it has now been claimed that the exes caused ‘unwanted tension’ among the pros who are said to have found being in their company ‘awkward’.
The insider told the Daily Mail that the relationship was allegedly unpopular with BBC bosses on the show, who are said to be keen on maintaining ‘harmony’ among the dancers.
In addition to this, the source claimed that Bychkova’s friendship with her former partner on the ballroom floor, Channel 5 presenter Walker, was thought to bring ‘unwanted attention’ to the show.
The source also noted that Bychkova has not been a huge contender on the Strictly leaderboard in recent seasons and was not assigned a celebrity partner in the 2023 series of the show.
The insider told the publication: ‘Strictly is a light entertainment show, but it has to be competitive – otherwise it doesn’t work.
‘Nadiya’s last three outings with a celebrity partner (also including Matt Goss) haven’t pulled up any trees – she hasn’t even made the top 10 with any of them.
‘So in order to keep standards high, there’s hope whoever fills Nadiya’s place on the line-up will achieve better results.’
Metro understands that official plans for Strictly Come Dancing 2026 will be announced by the BBC in due course.
Metro contacted Nadiya Bychkova’s representative, who declined to comment.
Strictly Come Dancing returns to the BBC this autumn.
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
