Michelle Tsiakkas says she ‘wished she’d had more time’ on Strictly as she shares her first post on brutal sacking after blasting bosses for axing her in a ’30-minute video call’

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Michelle Tsiakkas, who used to be a professional dancer on Strictly Come Dancing, has expressed regret about leaving the show, saying she felt she hadn’t been there long enough after being let go by the BBC.

One dancer is among five professional performers let go as part of a major overhaul of the show, following recent controversies. BBC executives are hoping this shake-up will help the program move past a series of scandals, and some are calling the cuts a ‘bloodbath’.

Popular dancers Karen Hauer, Nadiya Bychkova, Luba Mushtuk, and Gorka Marquez have also been removed from the competition.

Michelle publicly announced she was leaving after speaking about it in an interview over the weekend, and then followed up with a detailed post on Instagram on Tuesday.

Honestly, it was heartbreaking to hear her talk about being taken off the show. She admitted it’s been a really tough emotional period for her, but she also made it clear she never thought she was automatically entitled to a spot – she knew nothing was ever certain. It just shows how much she cares and how professionally she handles things, even when she’s clearly hurting.

Show executives also released a short statement about Michelle’s exit, acknowledging her ‘outstanding work’ on the series.

Hey everyone, I wanted to let you know that I won’t be back on Strictly Come Dancing this year. It’s been a wonderful experience, but I’ve decided it’s time to move on to new adventures. Thanks for all the support!

Strictly has always been incredibly special to me, and leaving is tough. It’s been a huge part of my life, not just recently but really, for as long as I can remember, and I’ll always cherish my time with the show.

I’m incredibly grateful to my team for their support lately. They’ve been so helpful, giving me the time and understanding I needed to work through some difficult news.

As a professional on the show, I know nothing is certain, but I was hoping for more time.

I’m disappointed I couldn’t fully showcase my abilities, but I truly appreciate the opportunities I had to share what I love and connect with everyone.

Hey everyone, I wanted to share that I’ve had to make the tough call to withdraw from the Pro Tour in May. I was so excited to perform and connect with you all, and especially to share the stage with my friends. But honestly, I realized I wouldn’t be able to deliver the kind of show you deserve right now, and giving you my best is always my top priority. It was a hard decision, but I know it’s the right one.

Looking back, I’m confident this was the right choice for me, and I really appreciate your support and understanding.

Sending my best wishes to everyone in the Strictly family and all those working on the tour! I’m really going to miss you all.

As someone who’s been fortunate enough to work in this industry for a while, I’ve learned it truly takes a village! It’s not just about the talent you see on screen, but the amazing team working tirelessly behind the scenes. I’m so grateful for everyone – from production and hair & makeup, to the incredible band, wardrobe team, stage managers, and even the runners who keep everything moving. They’re the ones who really make the magic happen, and I feel lucky to work alongside them.

Saying goodbye after four years is tough because you become so close to people – they really feel like family. It’s hard not seeing everyone every day, and it’s often those little, everyday moments you remember most. While life changes, the friendships and memories will last forever.

I’m incredibly grateful to all of you! Your support, kindness, and belief in me have meant so much.

Joining such a large show was intimidating, but you immediately made me feel at ease and truly welcome. Your kind messages really helped me through some tough times, and I’ll always appreciate that.

Dance is incredibly important to me, and always will be. I’m looking forward to what’s next, and I hope you’ll join me as I start this new adventure.

Everyone faces tough times, and what really helps is how we cope with them and the support we receive. I’m so grateful to have all of you in my life, and I love you all very much.

Strictly Come Dancing’s Instagram page shared a message thanking Michelle Tsiakkas for her contributions to the show over the last four seasons.

Michelle consistently delivered strong performances throughout her time on the show. She excelled in group numbers, performances with guest musicians, and her pairings with celebrity partners – both during the main series and the Christmas special. She was always a professional, respectful, and kind teacher to her partners.

We’ve all truly valued her skills, hard work, and enthusiasm, and we wish her the best in her future endeavors.

I was really shocked to hear Michelle talk about being dropped from Strictly. Apparently, it was the first time she’s discussed it, and she was understandably upset about how it happened – a quick 30-minute video call! It just seems so impersonal and disrespectful after everything she’s done.

In her first interview since being fired, Michelle described how she started crying immediately after learning the upsetting news.

She described feeling devastated, like everything she’d worked for had crumbled. She’d dedicated four years of her life to the show, and it had been her absolute focus.

It came as a complete shock. It was incredibly difficult, and I was devastated. I experienced a whirlwind of feelings, especially because I’d dedicated so much of my life to Strictly.

Michelle said she was simply told she was dropped, and found it difficult to accept without an explanation.

Speaking to The Sun, she questioned whether recent changes are a reaction to past controversies. She doesn’t believe she was penalized for the mistakes of her partner, Jamie Borthwick, stating that wouldn’t be fair. She also pointed out that the professional dancers don’t have control over the celebrity contestants.

Jamie was fired from the soap opera EastEnders in September, following a suspension from Strictly Come Dancing for using an offensive term targeting people with disabilities.

A video surfaced showing the actor using a racial slur while participating in the competition.

Jamie apologized and explained he didn’t realize how offensive the word he used was. He now understands it was wrong and feels deeply embarrassed.

When Michelle found out her contract with Strictly Come Dancing wouldn’t be extended, she decided to leave the show’s live tour.

Cameras captured her talking about the incident with the axe as she exited a dance class at Oti Mabuse’s studio on Monday.

Photographers swarmed her as she arrived at the London venue, and one of them hugged her, saying, “I’m so sorry, this is awful and really upsetting.”

Michelle replied: ‘It is what it is,’ before adding: ‘Thanks for the support.’  

Reports suggest that producers of Strictly Come Dancing may be using the number of TikTok followers a professional dancer has as a factor 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.

Nadiya, who has 19,000 followers, seems to have been removed from the show, while Dianne Buswell, with a much larger following of 966,000, remains a contestant.

Karen, a professional dancer on Strictly for many years, has around 9,000 followers. In comparison, Alexis Warr, who is new to the show, already has a much larger following of 190,000.

Reports suggest that Fleur East and Janette Manrara have also been let go from It Takes Two, the Strictly Come Dancing spin-off 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.

An insider told The Sun that viewers will be shocked to see the show’s dramatic eliminations continue, but the network is committed to making significant changes.

People are feeling insecure and there’s a strong push to start a new chapter following recent events.

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 ruled out Janette and Fleur completely, and they might be considered for different positions within the organization.

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

Oh, it’s just so unfair! Poor Neil Jones, he’s 43 and honestly, he deserves a celebrity partner, but it looks like he’s been left out again this year! And Nancy Xu, too – she’s only 34 and such a brilliant dancer, it’s a shame she didn’t get one either. I’m hoping they’ll still be involved though, maybe in those amazing group routines? They absolutely have to be, otherwise what’s the point?! I just feel so bad for them both!

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2026-03-31 12:23