Arlene Phillips has criticized dancers who expressed disappointment after being removed from Strictly Come Dancing, stating that ‘nothing lasts forever’.
The 82-year-old choreographer left the Strictly judging panel in 2008 after four years, and Alesha Dixon took his place.
The BBC show is being updated again, and five dancers have been removed from the cast before the 2026 season.
Arlene offered some honest advice, explaining that a career in dance is challenging and requires resilience, as rejection is common.
She shared with The Sun that nothing in life is guaranteed to last. It’s important to be prepared and resilient, especially in this industry, because rejection is common. You need to learn to accept it and move forward.
‘Dancing takes its toll on your body. You have to be given time to restore your body. It’s tough.’
A career in dance is incredibly challenging, so it’s important to be prepared. I tell my students that if they can’t handle constant rejection, it’s best to choose a different path.
Arlene pointed out that no matter how famous you become on Strictly, the show doesn’t last forever, and it’s important not to rely on it for long-term success.
Okay, so she said she honestly doesn’t care who takes over from Tess and Claudia, which, fair enough, she’s a dancer, not a presenter! But then she dropped this amazing line – she wants the new hosts to be young, gay, and fabulous! Honestly, YES! That’s exactly what Strictly needs! I’m living for this, it’s the energy we deserve. I’m already picturing it and I’m obsessed!
Michelle Tsiakkas, age 30, recently left the show, becoming the newest dancer to be eliminated.
Popular dancers Karen Hauer, 43, Nadiya Bychkova, 36, Luba Mushtuk, 36, and Gorka Marquez, 35, are also no longer participating.
Reports suggest that Strictly Come Dancing producers consider how popular the professional dancers are on TikTok when deciding who to eliminate from the show.
According to sources, company leaders are prioritizing talent with large social media followings, hoping to attract a younger audience.
Some people are saying that dancers with larger social media followings were favored over those who aren’t as popular on TikTok.
It seems Nadiya Bychkova, who has 19,000 followers, may have been dropped from the show, while Dianne Buswell, also 36 and with a much larger following of 966,000, remains in the lineup.
Karen, a dancer on Strictly for many years, has around 9,000 followers. In comparison, Alexis, who is new to the show, already has a much larger following of 190,000.
Karen branded her axing from the show ‘stressful and emotional’.
She and her dog, Marley, went to a dog-friendly event called LitPet’s Sunday Social over the weekend. The event was held at the stylish 180 House in London. Marley is one of her four rescue dogs, and she often posts about them on social media.
She described her recent career change as incredibly difficult, both emotionally and mentally. She shared that her four dogs were a huge source of support during this challenging period, and she’s trying to accept the situation as a natural part of life and its associated pressures.
Karen explained that her dogs are sensitive to her feelings, and she’s found their companionship especially helpful during a difficult time. She noted they clearly pick up on her stress and offer support.
Sources say that Fleur East and Janette Manrara have also been let go from It Takes Two, the Strictly Come Dancing companion show.
Sources close to the show reveal that BBC Two’s weeknight program is facing a significant overhaul following recent controversies.
Janette, a former professional dancer on Strictly Come Dancing, became a host in 2021 after eight years as a performer. Pop singer Fleur joined the show in 2023, following a successful run to the final in 2022.
But now both stars are said to be in the firing line as executives push for a bold new direction.
According to a source, viewers will be shocked that the show is still making drastic cuts, but those in charge are committed to a total revamp.
Honestly, it feels like everyone’s on edge, and I’m hearing whispers that they really want to turn things around after everything that’s happened. It’s like they’re desperate for a fresh start, and I’m just praying it happens! I need this to happen!
The main goal is to start fresh by September and move the show forward, leaving behind the issues it’s faced recently.
According to a source, BBC executives haven’t completely ruled out Janette and Fleur returning, and they may be considered for different positions in the future.
Leaders are reportedly planning a complete overhaul after years of complaints and issues with the show’s dancers.
Neil Jones, 43, and Nancy Xu, 34, will both be without celebrity partners this season, continuing a pattern for Jones who hasn’t often been paired with a celebrity. However, they are expected to participate in the show’s large group performances.
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2026-04-07 22:22