Strictly’s Nadiya in shock U-turn on return to show after being axed in mass pro dancer cull

STRICTLY’S Nadiya Bychkova has made a shock U-turn on a return to the show after being axed in a mass pro dancer cull. The hit BBC series has undergone a massive revamp in the run up to the 2026 series following Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman’s departure at the end of last year. Nadiya Bychkova has made a shock U-turn on a return to the show after being axed in a mass pro dancer cull Credit: BBC Nadiya had been a pro on the show since 2017 Credit: PA As well as new hosts Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe, a number of pro dancers including Nadiya were axed. Nadiya, 36, had been part of the show since 2017, dancing with the likes of Dan Walker, Tom Dean and Matt Goss. Sign up for the TV newsletter Thank you! But despite previously saying a return to the studio was “on the cards” in some capacity, Nadiya has now revealed that is not the case. Speaking to Betway on behalf of The Sun, Nadiya said: “Not now because I’m taking some time in August. Nadiya said she isn’t going back as a choreographer at the moment as she’s taking time off to enjoy a holiday with her family Credit: Instagram However, the 36-year-old said she’d love to work with the team again as she has ‘lots of ideas’ Credit: Splash “Strictly is already working on the group numbers, but I’ve just finished my second tour with Nikita [Kuzmin], so it’s been full-on. “It’s been fun, but I’m really looking forward to wrapping it all up and going away on holiday with the family.” But she added that the door isn’t shut permanently, saying: “We’ll see what the season brings and how our schedules align. “It would definitely be a pleasure to work with the team behind the scenes and be able to create. Most read in TV “I have a lot of ideas, and I’d love to see some of my creations on a bigger scale.” As for whether she’d follow in the footsteps of fellow former Strictly pro Gorka Marquez and join an international version of Strictly, Nadiya said: “You never know, do you? “But I think it would be in a different capacity, maybe as a creative, a choreographer, directing something, or even as a judge. “Or perhaps doing a special performance as a professional. Things might change with time, but right now I want to dance with professionals.” Comment now