Nadiya Bychkova Axed from Strictly Come Dancing
Why has Nadiya Bychkova been dropped from Strictly Come Dancing after eight years? Reports indicate that her axing has raised accusations of ageism from friends and supporters.
Nadiya, who is 36 years old, joined Strictly Come Dancing in 2017 and has never reached the final despite her impressive background as a five-time World Champion. Her friends have expressed that her removal from the show is indicative of a broader issue, stating, “Her axing smacks of ageism.” This sentiment reflects a growing concern about how age is perceived in the competitive dance environment.
Sources reveal that Nadiya was devastated by the news, describing her reaction as one of shock. A source close to her commented, “Nadiya is distraught. The news came as such a huge shock as Nadiya’s life was Strictly and to find out she’s not been invited back as full-time pro has really broken her heart.” This highlights the emotional toll that such a decision can take on participants.
In the 2025 series, Nadiya was partnered with rugby player Chris Robshaw, and her departure coincides with a significant overhaul of the show, which has seen other changes including the stepping down of long-time presenters Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman.
Neil Jones, another professional dancer on the show, has also faced challenges, missing out on a celebrity partner for the fourth consecutive year. This raises questions about the future dynamics of the show and how talent is selected.
As part of her response to the situation, Nadiya celebrated International Women’s Day by sharing a video of herself dancing, stating, “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.” This shows her commitment to positivity despite the recent setbacks.
Details remain unconfirmed regarding her next steps, but reports suggest that Nadiya is in talks about possibly working behind the scenes on choreography for the show. This could provide her with a new avenue to contribute to the dance community.
As the landscape of Strictly Come Dancing continues to evolve, plans for the 2026 series will be confirmed in due course, according to a BBC representative. The future remains uncertain for both Nadiya and the show’s format.