While five Strictly Come Dancing professionals have reportedly been dropped from the show, one popular dancer has been tapped up to return.
A revamp for the BBC series appears to be underway following the departure of long-time hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, with reports claiming that several professional dancers have been given the axe ahead of the 2026 series.
It’s believed that Karen Hauer, Gorka Márquez, Luba Mushtuk, Michelle Tsiakkas and Nadiya Bychkova have all been told they won’t be returning to the dancefloor – but one professional who looks set to remain is Katya Jones.
A source told MailOnline that bosses were “desperate” to keep Jones, 36, as “they know how popular she is with viewers”.
“She is not leaving,” they added. “Katya is remaining on Strictly – the bosses think she’s a legend. They know how much viewers love her and they are also in awe of her choreography talents.”
The Russian dancer made her Strictly debut in 2016 and was partnered with Good Morning Britain presenter and former politician Ed Balls.
The following year, she won the show alongside Holby City star Joe McFadden – and in 2018, she was embroiled in a scandal after being photographed kissing comedian Seann Walsh while they were partnered together on the show.
Jones, who was married to fellow Strictly star Neil Jones at the time, issued a public apology and called the incident a “mistake”. Walsh was also in a relationship when the kiss occurred.
In 2020, Jones became the first professional to be paired with a member of the same sex – boxer Nicola Adams – and she made waves in 2025 with her memorable choreography whilke dancing with Emmerdale actor Lewis Cope.
The couple was the favourites to win the show, but found themselves eliminated from the show weeks before the final. On companion show It Takes Two, Jones broke down in tears as she hailed Cope and blamed herself for his premature exit.
“Looking back, I can't help but think how maybe I could have done things differently and to make it work for him better,” she said.
The Independent has contacted Jones for comment, and a BBC representative said that plans for Strictly Come Dancing 2026 would be confirmed in due course.
The dancers reportedly getting the cut from Strictly 2026 have been supported by fans. Hauer – the show’s longest-standing professional – has been partnered with stars ranging from late Hairy Bikers chef Dave Myers to Made in Chelsea star Jamie Laing since her 2010 debut, with whom she finished in second place.
Spanish dancer Márquez joined the show in 2016, and reached the final three times with Alexandra Burke, Maisie Smith and Helen Skelton. He met his fiancée, influencer and presenter Gemma Atkinson, on the show in 2017.
Russian pro Mushtuk became a Strictly dancer in 2018 and has competed on four series, while Cypriot dancer Tsiakkas joined in 2022 and has competed on just one series.
Meanwhile, Bychkova, who joined the cast of Strictly Come Dancing in 2017, has competed with the likes of Davood Ghadami and Dan Walker. Her height – 5ft 8 – has meant that she has normally been paired with the tallest male contestants. She has never reached the final.
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