Strictly star Michelle Tsiakkas has give up the reside tour amid claims she has been axed from the embattled BBC programme.
The reside tour was set to kick off in April, nonetheless Michelle has withdrawn from the present, in an announcement made on the tour’s official Instagram web page.
The assertion learn: ‘Michelle Tsiakkas has determined not to participate in Strictly The Professionals 2026 Tour. We’re naturally dissatisfied however respect her determination and need her each success for the longer term…
‘We sit up for beginning the tour rehearsals early subsequent month with Julian, Vito, Neil, Gorka, Lauren, Jowita, Luba, Alexis, Kai and Nancy.’
Following the departure of hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, the BBC present has been hit by an enormous shake-up, with Michelle becoming a member of Karen Hauer, Nadiya Bychkova, Luba Mushtuk and Gorka Márquez in being dropped from the lineup.
Strictly star Michelle Tsiakkas has give up the reside tour amid claims she has been axed from the embattled BBC programme (Michelle pictured in 2023)
The assertion learn: ‘Michelle Tsiakkas has determined not to participate in Strictly The Professionals 2026 Tour. We’re naturally dissatisfied however respect her determination and need her each success for the longer term’
Earlier this week, The Every day Mail solely reported Karen, who joined Strictly in 2012 and is without doubt one of the longest-serving execs, was knowledgeable of the choice to not renew her contract days in the past.
Whereas some names have been dropped from the present, it was additionally revealed that Katya Jones will likely be staying within the lineup, and has been handed a brand new contract by bosses.
It comes after Michelle, Karen, 43, Nadiya, 36, Luba, 36, and Gorka, 35, had been additionally axed from the collection, with sources claiming the entire Strictly execs are already conscious of their destiny.
One insider informed the Every day Mail: ‘Karen is the most recent skilled dancer to be informed her contract won’t be renewed this yr.
‘It’s extremely a lot a case of out with the previous and in with the brand new. Because the longest-serving feminine dancer, Karen discovered final week that her time on Strictly is over.’
A second supply added: ‘It is an terrible destiny for the skilled dancers who’ve devoted their careers to the present.
The reside tour was set to kick off in April, nonetheless Michelle has withdrawn from the present, in an announcement made on the tour’s official Instagram web page
‘Karen was clearly very upset after being informed the information, however she is making an attempt to stay optimistic in regards to the future. She works as a choreographer and is aware of she will be able to focus extra on that, in addition to her work within the health business.
Sources recommend bosses are aiming for a wholly contemporary begin following years of criticism and controversy surrounding the skilled dancers.
Elsewhere, Neil Jones, 43, who has hardly ever had a star dance accomplice on the present, will even go with out one this yr, as will Nancy Xu, 34.
It is believed they might nonetheless seem within the massive group dance numbers.
