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Nadiya Bychkova is reportedly devastated by her Strictly axing, with her friends accusing the show of ageism following a mass cull of dancers.
The Ukrainian dancer has been dropped from the show as the BBC tries to ‘completely refresh’ it after scandals and the departure of presenters Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman.
Nadiya had been in Strictly Come Dancing for eight years and in that time partnered celebrities including TV presenter Dan Walker, singer Matt Goss and actor Davood Ghadami.
Now, a friend of the 36-year-old dancer has reportedly hit out at the axing and taken aim at the BBC.
‘Her axing smacks of ageism,’ a friend reportedly told The Sun.
They added: ‘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.’
Meanwhile Neil Jones has missed out on a celeb partner for a fourth year amid the huge shake-up.
The friend went on to say they suspect the former pros are being culled to make room for a fresh batch of dancers.
Long-serving pro Gorka Marquez is also out in the cull – as are Luba Mushtuk and Michelle Tsiakkas.
Elsewhere the publication reported that two more celebrities have been benched for the upcoming series.
Neil Jones, 43, and Nancy Xu, 34, will not have celeb partners this year as they too have been dropped.
They might still be involved in group dances, however, unlike Nadiya, Gorka, Luba and Michelle.
The Daily Mail has contacted the BBC and representatives for Nadiya, Neil and Nancy for comment.
Last year Nadiya was partnered with rugby player Chris Robshaw.
But she wasn’t asked to be a part of the Strictly Live tour this year and has now been told that her time on the dancefloor is over.
Friends say that the Ukrainian five times World Champion is naturally ‘very disappointed’ but is in talks over the possibility of remaining a part of the Strictly family by working behind the scenes on choreography.
Fellow axed dancer Gorka, 35, met his British fiancé Gemma Atkinson on the show in 2017 and has been in three finals during his decade on Strictly. He didn’t have a partner last year because he was also filming the Spanish version of the show, but was in the group numbers.
He and Gemma have a successful podcast together – and two young children.
Luba Mushtuk joined eight years ago but didn’t have a partner last year.
Michelle Tsiakkas, 30, has also gone after partnering actor Jamie Borthwick last year. Jamie was at the centre of two controversies over behaviour last year, which included using an ableist slur backstage in Blackpool. He was also allegedly referred to as ‘spit roast boy’ by Wynne Evans during a photocall.
Producers are said to want a ‘fresh start’ for the BBC1 show, with new presenters to be announced soon after Tess and Claudia decided it was time for them to go.
Strictly has been hit by a string of scandals including claims of drug taking and abusive behaviour towards contestants by pro dancers.
Pros Giovanni Pernice and Graziano di Prima both left the show, with Graziano going after allegations that he had stamped on his partner Zara McDermott. Giovanni was investigated by the BBC over bullying allegations made by his partner Amanda Abbington, some of which were upheld.
There is no suggestion that any of the pros going as part of the Strictly refresh in the wake of the departure of Claudia and Tess have been involved in any wrongdoing.
Nadiya bonded with her married dance partner Dan Walker when they were partnered together in 2021. Dan, known for his strong Christian faith, was voted off the show after a tepid tango in the quarter finals.
She brushed off her Strictly Come Dancing axing as she enjoyed a luxury £3k-a-night holiday at Regnum The Crown in Turkey on Sunday.
Nadiya danced over the BBC axing as she shared a fun new video to Instagram while soaking up the sun at the lavish A-list resort where Jennifer Lopez has previously stayed.
The blonde beauty flaunted her sensational figure in a black and white bikini and matching trousers as she showed off her moves by the swimming pool.
Nadiya was in good spirits as she beamed while holding up a glass of fizz and dancing to Bruno Mars’ new single Cha Cha Cha.
The five-star hotel has quickly become the new celebrity hotspot as the likes of Molly-Mae Hague and boyfriend Tommy Fury, and Stacey Solomon and husband Joe Swash all enjoyed holidaying at the resort last summer.
Nadiya has been focusing on her wellness during the luxury stay and celebrated the ‘strength and resilience’ of women on International Women’s Day.
Nadiya wrote: ‘Celebrating women today and every day. The strength, the joy, the resilience and the beautiful way we lift each other up.
‘And sometimes… a little dance along the way. Happy International Women’s Day’.
