BBC Strictly pros all smiles in return to scandal-hit show - but 'five stars face axe'
BBC's Strictly Come Dancing professionals shared a photo from the rehearsal room as the remaining show stars gathered for their first day back following a series of controversies.
The Strictly Come Dancing professionals have made a dazzling return to the dance floor, marking their first day back amidst recent headline-grabbing scandals. It comes amid reports show bosses have plans to drop five of their veteran dancers following the show's recent scandal.
Fans of the hit BBC show were treated to an exclusive glimpse into the rehearsal room as Strictly's official Instagram account posted a snapshot of the professional dancers. The photo captured the infectious enthusiasm of the cast as they wrapped up their initial rehearsals for the much-anticipated 2024 series.
The caption on the post read: "Day one of #Strictly2024 rehearsals done! We can't wait to share our new pro routines with everyone soon @bbciplayer."
The excitement was palpable among this year's cohort of dancing pros, who were seen hugging and celebrating with the choreography team in the image.
Among those pictured were fan-favourites Dianne Buswell, Nadiya Bychkova, Karen Hauer, Katya Jones, Neil Jones, Nikita Kuzmin, Gorka Marquez, and Luba Mushtuk. Amy Dowden, who is triumphantly returning to the show after her battle with cancer last year, was also featured beaming with joy.
The lineup continued with Jowita Przystal, Johannes Radebe, Kai Widdrington, Nancy Xu, Carlos Gu, Lauren Oakley, Michelle Tsiakkas, and Vito Coppola, all striking a pose alongside their fellow Strictly sensations. Aljaz Skorjanec, who took a break from the show in March 2022, is set for a grand comeback and was present for the inaugural rehearsal session.
It has now been claimed up to five stars of the hit show could face getting axed from the series next year in the wake of the scandal surrounding Giovanni Pernice and Graziano di Prima.
According to reports, execs believe the misconduct being alleged could be fuelled by popular, veteran stars feeling they are “entitled and untouchable.”
A source told The Sun: “There isn’t much they can do to change the line up for this year’s crisis-hit show, but the feeling is that Strictly needs to make a fresh start in 2025.
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“There’s the fear that being on the show leaves them more open to feeling entitled and untouchable.
“So for many of the pros turning up for rehearsals this week, it may be their last time."
The source went on to suggest it is not a "done deal" and does not mean the longest-serving stars would be affected, but "would be a carefully considered process".
They added: “That could mean saying goodbye to some of the best-known pros — both male and female — but when it comes to Strictly, nobody is ever bigger than the show.”
BBC representatives declined to comment when contacted by Express.co.uk
The longest-serving pro is Karen Hauer, who first appeared in 2012, and at 42 is also the oldest. Neil Jones is two weeks younger.
He joined Strictly in 2016 along with Gorka Marquez, 33, and Katya Jones, 35.
Together with Giovanni and Nadiya Bychkova, 34, who signed up in 2017, they are all considered veterans.
Meanwhile, Giovanni Pernice and Graziano Di Prima were notably missing from the rehearsal snapshot amid the ongoing scandal.
The BBC earlier confirmed that Giovanni would not participate in the current series following allegations by Amanda Abbington of "inappropriate behaviour" during training, which he strongly refutes.
The controversy deepened as the broadcaster dismissed Graziano after a video surfaced showing him kicking his partner Zara McDermott.
