Major Strictly Come Dancing shake-up as at least three pros axed
Monday at 7: 55 a. m. ET — Strictly Come Dancing will return without three professional dancers, with Gorka Marquez, Luba Mushtuk and Michelle Tsiakkas confirmed absent as producers push for a “fresh start”.
That shake-up is happening now because producers are holding meetings about dancers’ contracts over the next few weeks and want to bring in new faces after recent drama and presenter departures, the changes source said.
Gorka Marquez, Luba Mushtuk and Michelle Tsiakkas will not appear in the ballroom
Gorka Marquez, who has appeared on the show for a decade and reached the final three times, will be absent when the series returns. Luba Mushtuk, who joined eight years ago and has had four celebrity partners on the main programme—James Cracknell, Jason Bell, Adam Thomas and Nick Knowles in 2024—will also be missing. Michelle Tsiakkas, a relative newcomer who joined in 2022 and was partnered with Jamie Borthwick in 2024 and Brian McFadden on last year’s Christmas special, will not return.
Producers cite a desire for a “fresh start” as presenter lineup is reshaped after Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly exits
Executives held meetings about contracts and signaled an intention to create a new era after “all the drama in recent years, ” with bosses saying they want new faces on the show. Presenters for the new series have not been announced following the departures of Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly, and, “Plans for Strictly Come Dancing 2026 will be confirmed in due course. “
Zoe Ball, Emma Willis and Sara Cox linked as contenders amid timeline of presenter changes
Zoe Ball quit her Radio 2 Saturday show in December 2025, and she previously replaced Claudia on the Strictly spin-off It Takes Two from 2011 until 2021 and hosted the live tour in 2011 and 2015; that timeline has prompted speculation that she or Emma Willis could be chosen, while Sara Cox has also been linked to the role. Sources describe a “straight shoot-out” between Zoe and Emma, with executives said to want a traditional presenter alongside a more left-field female stand-up comedian to preserve the humour Claudia brought.
Past controversies and internal probes have been cited in reporting about the overhaul
Reports note a catalogue of past incidents: an investigation in 2023 led to the axing of Giovanni Pernice after allegations from a celebrity partner, and in 2018 the Seann Walsh incident drew widespread attention. More recently, some coverage referenced an inquiry into alleged drug use by two stars and controversy around Jamie Borthwick’s backstage conduct in Blackpool during 2024, all of which producers have cited when arguing for a format refresh.
More details are expected when plans for Strictly Come Dancing 2026 are confirmed; more information is expected 9: 00 a. m. ET. If new presenter appointments are announced, producers could reveal the full line-up and remaining professional roster at that time.
