In a move that has sent ripples through the world of British television, Michelle Tsiakkas, one of the celebrated professionals from the BBC’s long-running hit, Strictly Come Dancing, has officially withdrawn from the upcoming 2026 Strictly The Professionals live tour. The announcement, made on March 12, 2026, via the tour’s official Instagram account, comes amidst swirling reports of a major shake-up within the show’s roster of professional dancers—a development that marks one of the most significant overhauls in the program’s storied history.
The tour, set to kick off on April 29 and conclude at the iconic Blackpool Opera House on May 30, was expected to feature Tsiakkas alongside a host of other household names from the series. Instead, producers confirmed, “Michelle Tsiakkas has decided not to take part in Strictly The Professionals 2026 Tour. We are naturally disappointed but respect her decision and wish her every success for the future.” The statement also listed the professionals who will be participating, including Julian Caillon, Vito Coppola, Neil Jones, Gorka Márquez, Lauren Oakley, Jowita Przystał, Luba Mushtuk, Alexis Warr, Kai Widdrington, and Nancy Xu, with rehearsals set to begin in early April.
Tsiakkas, a Cypriot dancer who joined the BBC competition in 2022, quickly became a fan favorite. She partnered with Jamie Borthwick in the 2024 main series and Brian McFadden during the 2025 Christmas special, bringing her distinctive energy and style to the ballroom. However, in the most recent season, she did not receive a celebrity partner—a development she addressed candidly with her followers. “To those of you asking how I am, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t gutted but I think that’s a normal feeling to have. Last year was my first year with a partner and it made me realise how much I enjoy the process. I think it’s the most beautiful and rewarding part of the show,” she shared, according to Metro.
While Tsiakkas has not publicly commented on her decision to step away from the tour, she did post a poignant message on International Women’s Day, reflecting on resilience and personal growth: “There were moments that shaped her, challenged her and quietly changed her. But somehow, through it all, she never lost her sparkle. Because strength isn’t about never breaking… it’s about finding the light again, even after the storm.”
The news of Tsiakkas’s withdrawal comes amid a flurry of reports suggesting that she is not the only professional dancer facing an uncertain future on Strictly Come Dancing. Gorka Márquez, Luba Mushtuk, Karen Hauer, and Nadiya Bychkova are all reported to have been dropped from the main show’s lineup for the 2026 season. According to The Daily Mail, Karen Hauer—who joined the show in 2012 and is its longest-serving female professional—was informed earlier this month that her contract would not be renewed. “It’s very much a case of out with the old and in with the new. As the longest-serving female dancer, Karen found out last week that her time on Strictly is over,” an insider told the publication.
Hauer, though understandably upset, is said to be focusing on her career as a choreographer and her work in the fitness industry. “Karen was obviously very upset after being told the news, but she is trying to remain positive about the future,” a source shared with GB News.
Meanwhile, Neil Jones and Nancy Xu—both familiar faces on the show—are expected to remain with the program but will not be paired with celebrity partners in the upcoming series. Instead, they may participate in group dance numbers, continuing to contribute to the spectacle that has made Strictly a Saturday night staple. Katya Jones, another fan favorite, has reportedly secured a new contract and will remain part of the professional lineup, bucking the trend of departures.
The BBC has yet to confirm the full extent of these changes, with a spokesperson telling GB News that updates about the show will be “confirmed in due course.” Nevertheless, insiders suggest that all professional dancers have already been informed of their fates, with many learning their news in what sources described as “brutal” 15-minute phone calls. Nadiya Bychkova, in particular, is said to be “distraught” at the development.
The shake-up follows the departure of beloved hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman at the end of the 2025 series, a decision that has left fans speculating about the show’s future direction. According to sources cited by The Sun, “Bosses want a fresh start and to bring in new faces after all the drama in recent years and create a new era.” Years of criticism and controversy surrounding the professional dancers have reportedly prompted the show’s leadership to pursue a complete refresh, aiming to reinvigorate the format and keep audiences engaged.
This overhaul is not without its detractors, however. Some fans have taken to social media to express disappointment at the loss of familiar faces, while others see the move as a necessary evolution for a show that has been on the air for over two decades. For the dancers themselves, the transition is bittersweet—many have dedicated years of their lives to the program, helping to shape its legacy and inspire viewers across the UK.
In the midst of these sweeping changes, Amy Dowden’s story has also resonated with the public. Dowden, who returned to the show in 2024 after undergoing breast cancer treatment, spoke candidly about the challenges of resuming her career. “I just couldn’t face watching another series on the sofa at home,” she said in an interview. “I went back too soon. But it’s so hard. You just want your life back. It takes a long time to recover from the chemo, but because you feel a little bit better every day afterwards, it’s so difficult to tell when you’re really ‘back’.”
As Strictly Come Dancing prepares for its next chapter, the fate of its professional dancers remains a focal point for fans and industry observers alike. Whether the changes will usher in a new era of creativity and excitement or leave audiences longing for the familiar faces of seasons past remains to be seen. For Michelle Tsiakkas and her fellow departing pros, however, the journey continues—albeit on a different stage.
With rehearsals for the 2026 tour set to begin shortly and the search for new talent underway, all eyes are on the BBC as it navigates one of the most transformative periods in the history of its flagship dance competition.