STRICTLY’S Nadiya Bychkova has become the latest pro dancer to be axed — with claims the move “smacks of ageism”.
The 36-year-old Ukrainian has been given the boot after almost a decade working on the BBC show.
It comes after The Sun on Sunday revealed that colleagues Gorka Marquez, 35, Luba Mushtuk, 36, and Michelle Tsiakkas, 30, were all getting the boot.
Insiders said it is “out with the old, in with the new” as the Beeb clears out its veteran stars.
Nadiya had her meeting with bosses on Friday where she was told she was not being invited back to be a full-time dancer for this year’s series.
A friend of Nadiya’s said: “Her axing smacks of ageism.
“They’re clearing all the old crew out to make way for new dancers.
“Nadiya’s one of the most popular dancers so she can’t understand why she won’t be back. She’s devastated. The show is her life. She’s not sure what she’ll do next.”
It is not the first time the Beeb has come under fire for ditching older women.
A report out earlier this year found ageing females “disappear” from presenting roles.
Nadiya, whose past celeb dance partners include TV host Dan Walker and Blue singer Lee Ryan, has had a rollercoaster time on the show.
Last year she was hospitalised after suffering a back injury after a fall during rehearsals. In 2024, when she did not have a celebrity partner, she broke her thumb practising a group dance.
Her love life has also been talk of the show. She dated fellow pro Kai Widdrington, 30, for two years before the pair’s “bitter” split. They have not remained on friendly terms despite still working together.
The cull at Strictly is continuing as Beeb bosses look to freshen up the show.
No full-time contracts
We can also reveal that Neil Jones, 43, and Nancy Xu, 34, will not have celeb partners this year as they too have been dropped.
Nadiya’s one of the most popular dancers so she can’t understand why she won’t be back. She’s devastated. The show is her life. She’s not sure what she’ll do next
Friend of Nadiya
Sources say they will not be offered full-time contracts — but could appear in group dances.
Insiders claim the dancers have been kept in the dark for months. A source said: “Usually contract discussions would begin at the end of the year but they were kept waiting until this week.
“There’s talk of even more dancers facing the chop. Everyone is petrified for their future.”
The show is keen to start with a clean slate come September, distancing itself from past dramas.
“The new presenting duo is yet to be announced after Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman left at the end of last year.
A Strictly spokesman said: “Plans for Strictly Come Dancing 2026 will be announced in due course.”
