It comes as viewers are eagerly awaiting to find out who the new presenters will be for the 2026 series, following the departure of Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, who has gone on to host her own chat show which airs on BBC One next week.
However, Strictly has allegedly not asked long-serving pros Gorka Marquez and Luba Mushtuk back after the 2025 season, which resulted in Lioness legend Karen Carney and Carlos Gu claiming the glitterball trophy.
Newcomer Michelle Tsiakkas will also reportedly not be returning to the dancing competition, according to The Sun.
Reports suggest the decisions have been made as bosses want a “fresh start” for the show and to bring in “new faces”.
A source told the publisher: “There are major changes taking place with dancers having meetings about their contracts over the next few weeks.
“Bosses want a fresh start and to bring in new faces after all the drama in recent years and create a new era.”
Gorka joined Strictly 10 years ago, while Luba first became a cast member in 2018.
Michelle was added to the professional dancer’s line-up in 2022 along with Vito Coppola, Carlos Gu and Lauren Oakley.
The rumours have left many Strictly fans in disbelief, as someone wrote on X: “How can you scrap Michelle after one season with a partner?!? I think they should each have a partner for 2 seasons at least to see how they do, and the pros really need to be assigned on a fairer rotation.”
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Another commented: “I’m shocked Gorka is being axed.”
This viewer put: “WHAT. NO. NOT GORKA, LUBA AND MICHELLE. This is honestly absolutely shocking. Who else?”
Sharing their thoughts on Luba, this person posted: “Luba was one of my favourites, wished they gave her a strong partner one year.”
Speaking about Gorka, one account said: “Gorka is one of the best pros the programme has ever had… look back at some of his dances with Alexandra Burke, Maisie Smith and Helen Skelton… Gorka you have been a legend!”
Meanwhile, a fan chimed in: “This is worse than when TULISA left X factor.”
This profile continued: “Nope, im actually done with this!”
The BBC told The Sun: “Plans for Strictly Come Dancing 2026 will be confirmed in due course.”
Newsquest has contacted the BBC for comment.
Strictly’s Amy Dowden opens up on Carlos Gu’s support after her cancer surgery
Strictly star Amy Dowden has spoken about how she was “ready to hang up my dancing shoes” after receiving treatment for breast cancer.
Amy, who has been a professional dancer on the BBC programme since 2017, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2023.
In an interview with former Busted star Matt Willis on his podcast On The Mend, she discussed having to take time off the show while she had chemotherapy and underwent two mastectomies.
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Amy revealed that when she returned, “I’d lost everything as a dancer, my flexibility, my speed – everything I worked 20 years for”.
The 35-year-old said she was grateful for all the support she had received from her colleagues on the show, particularly fellow professional dancer Carlos.
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“My body had been through everything so I knew I wasn’t who I was, and I was ready to hang up my dancing shoes and my husband and my dear friend, Carlos Gu, who went on to win Strictly, said ‘no’,” she said.
“‘Cancer’s taken so much, it’s not taking your dancing back. You can do this’.”
Amy shared she would be going back on tour this year with Carlos, “who was there throughout it all”.
