Who is leaving Strictly Come Dancing 2026? Every confirmed and rumoured axed star

Strictly Come Dancing has undergone a reported mass dancer cull (Picture: Guy Levy/BBC/PA Wire)

Strictly Come Dancing is reportedly in the midst of a professional dancer mass cull, with three stars already confirmed to have left.

The so-called bloodbath hit in early March, when it was first reported that three of the famed twizzlers on the BBC ballroom floor had been shown the door. 

Since then, further reports have only added names to the pile of those reportedly told they would not ‘keeeeeep dancing’ after all, amid ongoing conversations over the future of the show in a post Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly-hosting world.

So, who could be leaving the show ahead of the 2026 series? And who has already confirmed their exit?

Who is officially leaving Strictly in 2026?

The potentially most shocking dancer confirmed to have been axed is the show’s longest-serving female pro Karen Hauer, 43.

In an emotional message to fans, Hauer expressed her gratitude for the support she’s received and teased what’s next.

Karen Hauer has officially left Strictly Come Dancing after 14 years on the show (Picture: Instagram)

‘I’m extremely proud of myself. Like, “OK, kid, you’re doing alright!”, so thank you for that, for your energy, your warmth, your support; it really stays with me,’ she said to the camera in the Instagram clip.

‘I promise, I’ll keep showing up, I’ll keep entertaining you all, and I’ll keep sending all that positive, kindness, love back to you all. Sending you guys a big, massive hug, and I’ll see you guys around.’

Elsewhere on the roster, it was announced that Michelle Tsiakkas, 30, will not be taking part in the 2026 Professionals’ live tour, which is set to kick off on April 29.

Then, Tsiakkas appeared to confirm she had been axed, amid speculation that she had dropped out of the tour due to the news.

She was filmed leaving a class she’d taught at former Strictly pro Oti Mabuse’s dance studio in London and when one photographer said they were ‘gutted’ for her, the dancer replied: ‘It is what it is.’

Michelle Tsiakkas will not be in this year’s Professionals tour (Picture: BBC/Ray Burmiston) Nadiya Bychkova has reportedly been let go due to claims of ‘diva-like outbursts’ (Picture: David Fisher/Shutterstock)

Nadiya Bychkova, 36, is the latest to share a statement on her rumoured exit, confirming that her place in the Strictly ecosystem is ‘evolving’.

In a lengthy post to Instagram, she wrote: ‘This isn’t the end… I look forward to being part of the Strictly world for many years to come in ways I am beginning to explore.

‘I’ve changed a lot since I first stepped onto that dance floor, not just as a performer, but as a person and I can honestly say I’ve never felt more like myself.

‘I’m excited to have time to focus on new projects, and to spend more precious time with my beautiful daughter. Life feels full of possibilities.

‘I danced before Strictly, I loved dancing on the show and I plan to keep dancing for many years to come.’

Who has been rumoured?

The other pros said to have been scraped – again, to stress, none of this has been confirmed – are two additional stars, with another two reportedly relegated to the sidelines.

Three long-time pros will be leaving the Strictly ballroom (Picture: BBC/Guy Levy)

Gorka Marquez, 35 and Luba Mushtuk, 36, along with Tsiakkas, were the first reported to have been axed from the show.

Neil Jones, 43, and Nancy Xu, 34, were said to have been benched and will not be assigned a celebrity partner for the upcoming series.

As if that wasn’t enough names, it was then reported that Katya Jones, 36, was at risk. However, it has since been claimed the Russian dancer is set to sign a new contract for what will be her 10th anniversary on the show, according to the Mail.

Katya Jones is said to be on the verge of signing a new contract with the show (Picture: BBC/Ray Burmiston)

A source told Metro that Aljaž Škorjanec, 36, is also returning to the show for his 24th series, despite rumblings to the contrary. The Mail has also reported that Carlos Gu and Johannes Radebe have been given the proverbial green light that their jobs are safe.

Metro understands that official plans for Strictly Come Dancing 2026 will be announced by the BBC in due course.

The official line-up tends to be announced every April, so we shouldn’t have to wait long for a clearer picture of which cast members will be locked in.

Strictly Come Dancing returns to the BBC this autumn.

A version of this story was originally published on March 11.

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 [email protected], calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.

Comments Add as preferred source