Strictly Come Dancing 2026 confirms another key cast change as long-running professional bows out

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Luba Mushtuk, a professional dancer on Strictly Come Dancing, has confirmed she’s leaving the show, following recent reports about her departure.

After being part of the show since 2018, professional dancer Mushtuk has announced they are leaving Strictly Come Dancing. In an Instagram post, Mushtuk expressed deep gratitude for the ten wonderful years spent on the program.

I’m so grateful for this incredible experience and the wonderful memories I’ve made. It’s meant everything to me. Now, I’m ready to pursue my personal goals and I’m looking forward to what comes next.

I’m so excited to see everyone at the Pro Tour – it’s going to be my last one, and I’m really looking forward to it. Sending you all my love, Luba.

Mushtuk isn’t the first professional dancer to leave recently. Karen Hauer and Nadiya Bychkova have also announced they’re leaving, and rumors suggest even more dancers will be departing the show.

This announcement follows last year’s departure of hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, and so far, no new hosts have been named.

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Rumors suggest the show might have three hosts when it comes back, with Alex Jones from The One Show, BBC Radio 2’s Sara Cox, and Mel Giedroyc of The Great British Bake Off as potential candidates.

Several names are being discussed as potential hosts, including Zoe Ball, who previously presented It Takes Two, Rylan Clark who took over the role, Emma Willis, Alison Hammond (a contestant from Strictly season 12), Fleur East (host of It Takes Two), and Angela Scanlon, who competed on Strictly in 2023.

Strictly Come Dancing returns to BBC One and iPlayer later this year.

Let me tell you, if you’re looking for some sparkly, feel-good entertainment, you absolutely need to add Strictly Come Dancing to your watchlist. And the easiest way to do that, along with getting daily TV recommendations and all sorts of features, is by downloading the TopMob: What to Watch app. Seriously, do it – you won’t regret it!

Authors

James HibbsDrama Writer

James Hibbs writes about TV dramas for TopMob, covering shows on streaming services and traditional channels. Before becoming a writer, he worked in public relations, first at a business-to-business agency and then at Fremantle, an international television production company. He has a BA degree in English and Theatre Studies, as well as a Level 5 Diploma in Journalism.

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2026-03-27 16:39