Overview
- Four professional dancers have confirmed departures in recent weeks, with Karen Hauer, Nadiya Bychkova, Luba Mushtuk and Michelle Tsiakkas all leaving, and Tsiakkas also stepping away from this spring’s Professionals tour.
- Strictly The Professionals tour goes ahead later this month with a revised cast that features Vito Coppola, Gorka Marquez, Jowita Przystal, Lauren Oakley, Kai Widdrington, Nancy Xu, Neil Jones, Luba Mushtuk, Julian Caillon and Alexis Warr.
- The BBC is searching for new hosts after Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman left at the end of the 2025 series, with reports naming Gabby Logan and Tom Allen as possible hires that have not been confirmed.
- Vito Coppola said he has only caught up with Michelle Tsiakkas recently and spoke about the close bonds formed on the show, while cast members shared reunion photos from a night out that included 2025 contestants.
- Former pro Brendan Cole called the scale of changes bold and warned the show could suffer if the hosting transition is handled poorly, though he said a refresh could also help it feel new.