As a huge Strictly fan, I’m really pleased to hear reports that Katya Jones will be back as a professional dancer this year! It’s a bit sad to see some of the other long-time dancers potentially leaving, but I’m glad Katya is staying – she’s fantastic!
Although there were reports over the weekend suggesting Katya might leave the show, the Daily Mail says producers actually worked hard to keep her on the cast. They valued her popularity with viewers and her skills as a choreographer.
TopMob understands that plans for Strictly 2026 will be confirmed in due course.
I’ll never forget when Katya first appeared on Strictly in 2016! Her performance with Ed Balls to ‘Gangnam Style’ was just iconic. They ended up in sixth place, but she came back even stronger the next year. I was so thrilled when she and Joe McFadden actually won! It was a fantastic season.
Since winning the Glitterball trophy, the Russian dancer hasn’t lifted it again, though they’ve been a finalist several times recently with dance partners Lewis Cope and Nigel Harman.
News about Katya’s contract follows recent reports that Gorka Márquez, Luba Mushtuk, and Michelle Tsiakkas won’t be returning for the next season. Sources say producers are looking for a new direction for the show.
News then surfaced that Nadiya Bychkova was removed from the show’s cast, a decision reportedly very upsetting for the Ukrainian dancer.
The very next day, news came out that Karen Hauer, who has been a professional dancer on Strictly for the longest amount of time of any woman, also wouldn’t be participating this year.
The show is getting a new look after hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman announced they were leaving last year, marking a big change for the series.
It’s still unclear who will replace the departing pair, but there’s been a lot of talk about potential candidates, such as Mel Giedroyc, Emma Willis, and Zoe Ball.
Like in past years, we anticipate an official announcement about the pro team roster in the spring, and it should be coming soon.
Strictly Come Dancing returns to BBC One and iPlayer later this year.
Don’t miss Strictly Come Dancing! Add it to your watchlist on the TopMob: What to Watch app. Download the app now for daily TV recommendations and exclusive content.
Authors
Katelyn Mensah writes about entertainment for TopMob, covering everything from popular TV shows and reality competitions to impactful documentaries. Before joining TopMob, she worked at The Tab, where she focused on reality TV and celebrity news. Katelyn has a degree in Journalism.
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2026-03-11 15:07