James Jordan believes the recent removal of some professional dancers from Strictly Come Dancing was necessary to improve the show, describing them as no longer contributing effectively.
Okay, so the BBC show is getting a pretty big makeover for 2026. We’re looking at some fresh faces hosting, but unfortunately, it means saying goodbye to some beloved pros. Karen Hauer, Gorka Marquez, Nadiya Bychkova, Luba Mushtuk, and Michelle Tsiakkas won’t be returning as professional dancers, which is definitely a shake-up to the usual lineup. It’ll be interesting to see how these changes impact the show’s dynamic next season.
Former Strictly Come Dancing professional dancer Jordan, who was on the show from 2006 to 2013, recently commented on the changes to the lineup. He explained that joining the show means taking someone else’s job, and while people often forget this while on the show, they become upset when they are replaced.
You know, it’s easy to get caught up in things, but people often forget someone else lost out when they got the role. That’s just how the entertainment industry works, though. It’s all showbiz! I always tried to remember to enjoy the ride, because the show really was a massive force, and honestly, we were all so lucky to be a part of it for as long as we were.
Ian Waite, who used to be a professional dancer on Strictly Come Dancing, thinks the show eliminated the incorrect contestants.
He explained that while all the current professional dancers are incredibly talented, it’s important to make room for new talent eventually. There are lots of fantastic dancers who deserve an opportunity, and it’s time to give them a chance.
Jordan added that he believed the shake-up could have extended to the judging panel.
He thought the reductions could have been deeper and included eliminating some judge positions.
He explained that the current environment feels overly positive and unrealistic, like everyone is always getting along perfectly. He believes real growth comes from hard work and overcoming challenges – he wants to see players pushing themselves in training, even struggling and showing emotion. He thinks embracing those difficult moments is what’s missing.
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Last month, Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe, and Johannes Radebe were announced as the new hosts of the show, after Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman stepped down.
The professional dancers who will be returning for the 2026 season have been announced! Dianne Buswell, Amy Dowden, Katya Jones, Neil Jones, and Nikita Kuzmin are all confirmed to compete again.
Also returning are Aljaž Škorjanec, Jowita Przystał, Nancy Xu and Kai Widdrington.
They will be joined by Carlos Gu, Lauren Oakley, Vito Coppola, Alexis Warr and Julian Caillon.
We’re also excited to welcome a new group of dancers to the professional cast, and we’ll be announcing who they are soon.
Strictly Come Dancing returns to BBC One and iPlayer later this year.
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Authors
Molly Moss writes about current trends in television, movies, and other entertainment for TopMob. With a master’s degree in journalism, she’s also contributed to major news outlets like The Guardian, The Times, and The Sun Online.
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2026-06-16 17:07