New Talent and Major Changes on Strictly Come Dancing
Strictly Come Dancing is undergoing a significant transformation as the show’s producers seek to bring in fresh faces and shake up its lineup. This comes after several long-standing professional dancers have been let go, including some of the most popular names in the competition.
Among those who have been axed are Nadiya, 36, Karen Hauer, 43, Michelle Tsiakkas, 30, Luba Mushtuk, 36, and Gorka Marquez, 35. Fans have been left stunned by the sudden changes, with many expressing their disappointment on social media.
According to insiders, the production team is actively looking for new international talent to join the cast. One rising star who has already caught the attention of the bosses is D’Angelo Castro, a 25-year-old dancer from the US. He previously appeared on the American version of the show, Dancing With The Stars, and has built a strong following on social media.
A source told The Sun on Sunday: “Strictly bosses are on the lookout for fresh faces and love the look of D’angelo, he ticks all the boxes. They hope he could be the new Giovanni Pernice.”
Giovanni Pernice, the 35-year-old professional dancer, left the show after his former celebrity partner Amanda Abbington made numerous complaints about his behavior. Since then, he has joined and won the cast of the Italian version of the show, Ballando Con Le Stelle.
The BBC has not yet commented on the latest developments, but the changes have sparked a lot of discussion among fans and industry insiders.
Karen Hauer’s Emotional Farewell
Karen Hauer, the longest-serving female professional dancer on Strictly, recently shared an emotional video revealing her decision to step away from the show. She had been a part of the series for 13 years and has danced with a variety of celebrities over the years, including Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, Paul Merson, Eddie Kadi, Jayde Adams, Simon Rimmer, and Mark Wright.
Despite her long tenure, Karen never won the glitterball trophy, though she reached the final with Mark Wright in 2014. Her departure has been described as both stressful and emotional by the dancer herself.
Social Media Influence on Casting Decisions
Sources have claimed that Strictly bosses are now taking into account the online presence of the professional dancers when making casting decisions. It appears that those with larger followings on platforms like TikTok are being given preference, as the show tries to attract a younger audience.
For example, Nadiya, who has 19,000 followers, was axed, while Dianne Buswell, also 36, with 966,000 followers, has remained on the show. Similarly, Karen, with 9,000 followers, was let go, while newcomer Alexis Warr, 25, with 190,000 followers, has stayed.
A source said: “Strictly is always looking for ways to increase its audience in terms of volume, but also in terms of attracting new, young viewers. Social media is a massive part of broadening that appeal, and TikTok is the perfect medium for a show where music and dance is at the forefront.”
Revamping the Spin-off Show
In addition to changes on the main show, Strictly Come Dancing’s spin-off, It Takes Two, is also undergoing a major revamp. Fleur East and Janette Manrara have reportedly been axed from the BBC Two weeknight show.
Insiders suggest that the move is part of a broader effort to rebrand the franchise and distance it from recent controversies. Janette, who took over hosting duties in 2021, and Fleur, who joined in 2023, are now in the firing line as executives push for a bold new direction.
“Fans will be stunned that this bloodbath is continuing, but bosses are determined to overhaul the show completely,” an industry source told The Sun. “Nobody feels safe right now and there’s a real drive behind the scenes to usher in a fresh era after all the recent drama.”
While the source added that Fleur and Janette are not out of the picture entirely, they may find other roles within the BBC.
Other Cast Changes
Neil Jones, 43, who has rarely had a celebrity dance partner on the show, will also go without one this year, as will Nancy Xu, 34. It is believed they may still appear in the big group dance numbers.
As the show continues to evolve, fans are eagerly awaiting the new season and the exciting changes that lie ahead.
