Strictly pro Kristina Rihanoff says the show needs to be ‘rested’ after five dancers were sensationally axed in mass ‘bloodbath’

by

Kristina Rihanoff, a former professional dancer on Strictly Come Dancing, believes the show could benefit from a break. This comes after a surprising number of five professional dancers were let go in what’s been described as a major shake-up.

After Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman left the show, BBC has made major changes, and Karen Hauer, Nadiya Bychkova, Michelle Tsiakkas, Luba Mushtuk, and Gorka Márquez are no longer part of the professional dancers featured on the show.

Kristina, a former professional dancer on Strictly Come Dancing from 2008 to 2015, believes the show should pause if producers are considering major changes.

The star believes the show needs to return to its roots, concentrating on traditional ballroom and Latin dancing instead of elaborate effects like numerous props and 3D visuals.

Just days ago, Karen, a professional dancer on Strictly Come Dancing since 2012 and one of the show’s longest-serving pros, was told her contract wouldn’t be renewed, according to an exclusive report in The Daily Mail.

Despite some cast changes, Katya Jones will continue to appear on the show, as she’s been given a new contract.

Kristina suggested to The Independent that the project should be paused for a year to allow for planning and a fresh approach. She believes a period of regrouping would help determine how to move forward differently.

It’s refreshing to return to the simple origins of the show – focusing on classic ballroom and Latin dance, without all the extra flashy effects like elaborate props and 3D projections.

When I joined the show, it focused on traditional ballroom and Latin dancing. We kept props to a minimum, and all the group performances featured live music.

The dance experts were creating the routines, and the celebrities needed to learn traditional ballroom and Latin dance styles. Returning to those classic methods would be a good thing.

Kristina explained she decided to leave Strictly in 2015 because she wasn’t enjoying it anymore. She also pointed out that the professional dancers only have one-year contracts, which can create a lot of stress and uncertainty about their future on the show.

This follows the removal of Karen, Nadiya, Michelle, Luba, and Gorka from the show. Sources say all the professional dancers knew about these changes beforehand.

According to a source at the Daily Mail, dancer Karen has been informed her contract won’t be renewed for the upcoming season.

I was so shocked to hear the news! After years of dedication, Karen, the longest-serving female professional dancer on Strictly, has been told she won’t be returning. It really feels like the end of an era – a changing of the guard, if you will. It’s sad to see her go, but I guess that’s just how things are in show business – always making room for new talent.

Another source said it’s heartbreaking for the professional dancers who have spent their careers performing on the show.

Karen was clearly distressed by the news, but she’s determined to stay optimistic. She’s a choreographer and plans to dedicate herself to her work, along with continuing her involvement in the fitness world.

Aljaž Škorjanec probably won’t be back, but Carlos Gu and Johannes Radebe are confirmed to return.

Karen’s most recent dance partner on the show was Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, known for his role in Gladiator. Before that, she partnered with ex-footballer Paul Merson, and in 2023, she danced with comedian Eddie Kadi.

In 2022, she demonstrated her range as a choreographer by collaborating with comedian Jayde Adams. This built on the work of Katya Jones, who previously made history as the first female professional dancer on Strictly Come Dancing to perform in a same-sex partnership.

Oh my gosh, and get this – Karen has even danced with Mark Wright from TOWIE! He was, like, one of the very first reality stars they ever had on the show, which was SO exciting at the time! I remember being totally obsessed with them together!

Karen has been dedicated to Strictly for years, but she hasn’t yet won the competition. She came close twice, reaching the final with Mark in 2014 and Jamie Laing in 2020.

Karen was once married to Kevin Clifton, a professional dancer on Strictly Come Dancing, but they divorced after three years. Even after their split, they continued to collaborate on the show.

The Daily Mail has contacted Karen’s spokesperson for comment.

Leaders are reportedly planning a complete reset after years of complaints and issues with the professional dancers.

This year, both Neil Jones, 43, and Nancy Xu, 34, will be paired with non-celebrity partners – a first for them on the show, as they’ve usually danced with celebrities.

It’s believed they may still appear in the big group dance numbers. 

Read More

2026-03-12 12:24