This year has been especially challenging for Strictly Come Dancing, and BBC executives are reportedly considering major changes.
To bring fresh energy to the show, they’re planning to introduce new professional dancers and potentially let go of some long-time cast members.
Following the recent controversy involving Giovanni Pernice, plans for a shake-up have accelerated, with notable names like Katya Jones and Nadiya Bychkova rumoured to be at risk.
Other than Jones, who is currently paired with Wynne Evans, all of the other long-time pros on the chopping block were voted out of the competition by this year’s midpoint — which is said to be a factor in the lineup decisions.
The Sun has reported that Neil Jones, Karen Hauer, and Gorka Marquez may be at risk due to lackluster performances this season.
Additionally, it’s rumored that fan favorite Johannes Radebe, currently paired with Montell Douglas, plans to leave the show after this season.
An insider said that these changes aim to give the show a fresh start: “The feeling is that the Strictly troupe is made up of some fading stars, while others are rising stars.
“And in many cases, there are certain characters whose shoes can easily be filled with younger, up-and-coming counterparts.
“It’s harsh but it’s just part of the traditional turnover of showbusiness. It couldn’t have come at a worse time for [the dancers], because Strictly bosses feel they need to make some major changes, even if that means big names leaving.”
Aside from Katya Jones, the rumoured names have all been eliminated from the competition, which might be related to the show's pattern of pairing veteran dancers with celebrities who require more guidance.
Jones is the only one among the five professionals to have claimed the Glitterball trophy, winning with Hollyoaks star Joe McFadden in 2017.
This season, Bychkova was the first to be eliminated, paired with Olympian Tom Dean, who admitted their early exit was a “massive shock.” They lost the dance-off to Toyah Willcox and Neil Jones, though they were then eliminated the following week.
Hauer, the longest-serving dancer on the show, left in week four with her partner Paul Merson, while Dr. Punam Krishan and Márquez followed in week five.
Meanwhile, a source also told the outlet that “there isn’t an atom of bad feeling about Radebe leaving”.
The insider added: “Of course, bosses will probably try to find a way to bring him back at some point and he would no doubt consider returning.
“But for now, he just has too much to juggle alongside the contest. It isn’t just the announced projects that he’s working on, there are other opportunities in the pipeline too, which he can now explore further.”
