Five Strictly stars ‘could face axe as BBC bosses consider culling veteran dancers’

Five Strictly Come Dancing stars could be facing the axe ahead of the 2025 series, it’s been claimed.

The beloved BBC programme has been rocked in scandal in recent weeks, following allegations against several professional dancers, and concerns raised about the treatment of contestants including Amanda Abbington and Zara McDermott.

Sherlock actress Amanda, who quit Strictly last year after five weeks, has described her former dance partner Giovanni Pernice’s behaviour as ‘unnecessary, abusive, cruel and mean’. He’s denied the claims.

As the BBC investigation over behind-the-scenes misconduct grew, Graziano Di Prima shockingly quit the programme over allegations he ‘kicked and hit’ Love Island star Zara and said he ‘deeply regrets’ the events that led to his departure.

More claims against dancers have since emerged, and the BBC have introduced drastic new measures to support celebrities’ welfare on the show.

But it’s now been said up to five pro dancers could face the axe next year, following Pernice and Di Prima’s exits.

BBC bosses reportedly believe some veteran stars feel ‘entitled and untouchable’, with an insider saying: ‘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.

‘There’s the fear that being on the show leaves them more open to feeling entitled and untouchable.’

The source added to The Sun: ‘It’s not a done deal, and it’s not just going to be a case of the oldest or longest-serving being shown the door. It would be a carefully considered process, with other ­factors taken into account too.

‘The fact that the BBC are even considering making big changes and bringing in fresh blood is a sign of how keen they are to move on and make every effort to ensure nothing like this happens again.

‘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.’

The comments come ahead of the BBC publishing its annual report today, on Tuesday, amid controversy about the culture and treatment of contestants on Strictly.

The corporation will highlight its successes over the past year and disclose the pay of its top talent, but focus is likely to be on the storm of negative stories about its flagship show and the current internal BBC investigation.

Dancers returning to Strictly this year include Amy Dowden, who was forced to miss out on being a competitor last year, after being diagnosed with stage three breast cancer in May 2023.

She did however return to the ballroom for surprise appearances and kept fans updated with her treatment following her diagnosis, including her excitement to return.

The longest serving pro is Karen Hauer, who first appeared in 2012, while veteran stars Neil Jones, Gorka Marquez, Nadiya Bychkova, Katya Jones, and – who is celebrating his return to the programme after his exit in 2022 – have all returned for rehearsals this week.

It has also been claimed that the show’s most senior boss’ job is under threat, with MailOnline claiming that Suzy Lamb – who is in charge of all of BBC Studio’s entertainment programmes – is fighting for her role.

It’s been said the fall out of the Strictly crisis will ‘harm’ her chances of a newly merged job she is fighting against another colleague to win.

A source claimed: ‘The Strictly scandal has been very damaging to Suzy. She’s the top boss so the buck stops with her.

‘There’s clearly been a culture behind the scenes on the show, and with every former contestant that speaks out, it all comes back to Suzy.’

Metro.co.uk has approached the BBC and Suzy Lamb for comment.