Nikita Kuzmin has expressed his sadness for fellow Ukrainian dancer Nadiya Bychkova, after she was axed from Strictly Come Dancing. Nadiya, 36, Karen Hauer, 43, Gorka Marquez, 35, Michelle Tsiakkas, 30, and Luba Mushtuk, 36, have all been given the boot.
'I'm always sorry to see anyone go', he said during an interview with The Mirror. Speaking on his Strictly return, he added: 'Every time they want me back, I'll be happy to return.'
It comes as show bosses confirmed the professional dancers that will be returning for the new series, after a string of stars were axed in a brutal cast cull. Those making a comeback include Dianne Buswell, who competed on the show last year while pregnant with her first child, and gave birth to son Bowden in March. Amy Dowden will also be back on the show, after her stint on last year's run came to an early end, when she and Thomas Skinner were the first pair to be eliminated.
Also set to return are: Julian Caillon, Katya Jones, Neil Jones, Nikita Kuzmin, Jowita Przystał, Johannes Radebe, Aljaž Škorjanec, Alexis Warr, Kai Widdrington, Nancy Xu, Lauren Oakley and Vito Coppola.
Bosses also revealed that there will be brand new professional dancers joining the line-up in 2026, while judges Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Anton Du Beke and Head Judge Shirley Ballas are also set to return. However, they have still not secured new hosts following Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman's departure, and it's a race against time with just four months to go before the 24th series is due to kick off.
Last week, Gorka confirmed his permanent departure from Strictly Come Dancing – putting an end to ongoing uncertainty regarding his future on the show. The Spanish ballroom professional is the latest high-profile name to be leaving the much-loved programme amid this year's bloodbath as producers make sweeping cast changes ahead of its 24th series later this year. Taking to Instagram on Tuesday, he wrote: 'After last year's decision to step down as a full-time professional due to scheduling conflicts between Strictly and Dancing With The Stars Spain, I've decided that now is the time to hang up my dance shoes and say goodbye to Strictly Come Dancing. I will always be incredibly grateful to Strictly and the BBC for everything. Being part of the show has been so much more than just a professional opportunity—over the past 10 years, it allowed me to build a career from my passion, find love, start a family, and make lifelong friends. For that, I will forever be thankful. Although I'm stepping away from the dance floor, I can't wait to dance on the Strictly Pro Tour starting this week and continue being part of this incredible family. Now it's time to take a step back, enjoy the sidelines… and hopefully hold up a few paddles and give out some tens along the way. Thank you to everyone who has supported me and shared their love throughout this incredible journey. Keep dancing.'
