Strictly Come Dancing has been rocked by a significant shake-up, with BBC executives reportedly axing three professional dancers from the beloved ballroom competition. This dramatic move signals a desire for a "fresh start" as the long-running series prepares to introduce new presenters in the coming months.
Professional Dancers Given the Axe
According to reports from The Sun, veteran professional dancers Gorka Márquez, aged 35, and Luba Mushtuk, aged 36, have been dismissed from the show. Additionally, newcomer Michelle Tsiakkas, 30, has also reportedly departed the programme.
A source close to the production revealed: "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."
Impact on the Dancers
Gorka Márquez, who met his partner Gemma Atkinson on the show in 2017, has been a fixture on Strictly Come Dancing for a decade, reaching three finals during his tenure. His departure marks the end of an era for one of the show's most popular professionals.
Luba Mushtuk joined the series eight years ago but has not been paired with a celebrity dance partner in recent seasons, raising questions about her future on the programme even before this announcement.
Michelle Tsiakkas joined the professional lineup in 2022 alongside fellow newcomers including Vito Coppola, Carlos Gu, and Lauren Oakley. She received her first celebrity partner in 2024 when paired with Jamie Borthwick, though the couple was eliminated in week 10 of the competition.
Presenter Search Proves Challenging
The professional dancer shake-up comes as BBC executives face difficulties finding replacements for departing hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman. Despite hopes of securing the UK's most-loved presenters, sources indicate the search has become a "struggle."
Kate Phillips, the BBC's chief content officer, is reportedly "really, really keen" for Alex Jones to step into either Tess or Claudia's shoes. However, The One Show anchor has "not exactly jumped at the chance" according to insiders.
Why Top Names Are Hesitant
Several high-profile candidates are said to be disinterested in the £400,000 presenter roles due to the demanding schedule. The Strictly Come Dancing commitment requires long and unsociable hours on Fridays and Saturdays throughout the four-month competition period.
A source explained: "Strictly is all consuming for four months of the year. It takes over everything. Even Tess and Claudia found that – it was really hard. They'd be there at the crack of dawn until late at night on Fridays and Saturdays doing run-throughs and dress rehearsals."
Other potential candidates prefer to maintain lower public profiles or can earn comparable money through less demanding work. For instance, Bradley Walsh earns substantial income pre-recording episodes of The Chase without the intensive live television schedule.
Potential Presenter Candidates
Names that have been floated as potential replacements include Bradley Walsh, Alan Carr, Holly Willoughby, and Alison Hammond. BBC executives are reportedly keen for new hosts to have some connection to Strictly Come Dancing, though this may not be possible given the limited pool of suitable candidates.
Should Alex Jones accept the role – she reached the semi-finals as a contestant in 2011 – a vacancy would open on The One Show. Sources suggest this position could be filled by Tess Daly, who recently co-hosted the programme with her husband Vernon Kay to positive reception from BBC executives.
Timeline for Announcements
Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman announced their departure from Strictly Come Dancing last October after fourteen years as hosts, stating they had been considering the move for a year and wished to leave together. The search for their replacements has been ongoing since that announcement, with new presenters expected to be revealed in early summer.
While Tess Daly has yet to announce her next career move, Claudia Winkleman will launch her own chat show, The Claudia Winkleman Show, on BBC One beginning March 13.
The Daily Mail has contacted both the BBC and representatives for the affected dancers for comment on these developments.
