Professional dancer Nadiya Bychkova has left the show as the BBC aims for a fresh start following recent controversies and the exits of hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman.
Nadiya, age 35, has been a professional on Strictly Come Dancing for eight years, during which she’s danced with celebrities like TV host Dan Walker, singer Matt Goss, and actor Davood Ghadami.
Last year she was partnered with rugby player Chris Robshaw.
She wasn’t invited to join the Strictly Come Dancing tour this year, and has now been informed that she won’t be continuing to dance on the show.
According to friends, the Ukrainian athlete and five-time world champion is understandably upset, but is discussing options to stay involved with Strictly Come Dancing by contributing to the choreography team.
Long-serving pro Gorka Marquez is also out in the cull – as are Luba Mushtuk and Michelle Tsiakkas.
Gorka, age 35, first met his fiancé, Gemma Atkinson, while both were on the show in 2017. Over his ten years on Strictly, he’s reached the final three times. He took a break from being partnered with a celebrity last year to film the Spanish version of the show, but still appeared in the group dances.
He and Atkinson have a successful podcast together – and two young children.
Luba Mushtuk joined eight years ago but didn’t have a partner last year.
Michelle Tsiakkas, age 30, is also pursuing legal action after partnering with actor Jamie Borthwick last year. Borthwick faced two controversies in the past year: he used offensive language towards someone with a disability while backstage in Blackpool, and was reportedly nicknamed ‘spit roast boy’ by Wynne Evans during a photo opportunity.
I’m absolutely gutted! It’s being reported that the producers want a totally new direction for the show now that Tess and Claudia have decided to move on. Apparently, they’re already planning to announce the new hosts really soon. It just won’t be the same without them, honestly! A fresh start? It feels more like a heartbreak to me!
Oh my gosh, it’s just awful what’s happening with Strictly! I’m completely heartbroken to hear all these stories coming out – things like drug use and, even worse, some of the professional dancers apparently being really horrible to the contestants. It’s totally ruined my enjoyment, honestly. I just want them to fix it so I can get back to loving the show!
Both professional dancers Giovanni Pernice and Graziano di Prima have left the show. Graziano’s departure followed accusations that he mistreated his dance partner, Zara McDermott. Giovanni was also investigated by the BBC after his partner, Amanda Abbington, made claims of bullying, and some of those claims were confirmed.
There’s no indication that any of the new professional dancers joining Strictly Come Dancing after Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman left have done anything wrong.
Nadiya and her dance partner, Dan Walker, became close while competing on a show in 2021. Walker, who is a devout Christian, was eliminated after performing a lackluster tango during the quarter-finals.
Before leaving Strictly, Dan shared a heartfelt message for his partner, saying she had a wonderful impact on him. He explained that some people brighten your life, and she had definitely done that for him.
‘You’re an amazing person, and if you’ll have me, you’ll have a friend for life Nadiya Bychkova.’
He added: ‘The last 11 weeks have been absolutely amazing, I’ve genuinely loved every second of it.
Thinking back to the very first time I was asked to dance, especially with all those glitter balls around, I would have immediately left through the fire exit if I’d known where it was.
‘But this amazing woman grabbed me by the hand, and brought me out onto this dance floor.
Honestly, I don’t consider myself a dancer at all. But working with her completely changed my perspective – she unlocked something in me and showed me I could dance! It’s been such a surprisingly wonderful and empowering experience, I can’t even tell you.
After the show ended, Dan was visibly upset backstage, crying and leaning on Nadiya for comfort. Photos also showed Nadiya leaving the studio in tears. Despite the difficult ending, they’ve stayed friends.
Niamh Bychkova, who appeared in Slovenian Playboy in 2015, previously had a relationship with footballer Maria Skarabot, and they share a nine-year-old daughter named Mila. She most recently dated Strictly Come Dancing professional Kai Widdrington, but they split up in 2024 after about two years, with both citing the stress of their working relationship as the reason.
She recently mentioned that dating can be tough these days, and it really takes time to truly get to know someone.
No matter the situation – whether it’s a friendship, work relationship, or romantic connection – I’m just taking things at a comfortable pace.
Okay, so she basically said dating apps are a total no-go for her – she just doesn’t vibe with them at all! And get this – she’s been spotted with Ian McIntosh, the stage actor! I knew she had good taste, but seriously, Ian?! I’m already shipping them so hard. It’s perfect!
The BBC said: ‘Plans for Strictly Come Dancing 2026 will be confirmed in due course.’
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2026-03-08 17:08