Backstage turmoil grows at Strictly Come Dancing as pros air frustrations ahead of 2025 series

Strictly Come Dancing was plunged into fresh chaos on Wednesday as professional dancers publicly aired frustrations about the 2025 lineup. Michelle Tsiakkas posted that she was 'gutted' not to have a celebrity partner for the new series, a sentiment she echoed just a day after fellow Strictly pro Nancy Xu said she felt 'left out' of the show. Tsiakkas, who has danced on Strictly since 2022, posted an Instagram video to her 59,000 followers explaining her disappointment. She noted that last year’s partnership helped her realize how rewarding the process can be, and she promised to share more updates to help viewers get to know her better. Last year, Tsiakkas reached Week 10 with EastEnders actor Jamie Borthwick, a run she described as a vivid reminder of why she loves competing on the show.

The two messages landed within 24 hours of each other, underscoring a broader undercurrent of discontent among the show's professional ranks. Xu’s post, aimed at her own 76,000 followers, acknowledged feeling left out that she wasn’t paired with a celebrity this year, while thanking fans for their support. The duo’s updates were greeted with an outpouring of messages from co-stars, though not all publicly addressed the rift. One notable absence in Nancy Xu’s comments was Carlos Gu, a long-standing colleague and childhood friend who has also spoken publicly about the backstage dynamics in recent months. The posts signal a wider mood of frustration as the 2025 lineup takes shape and as the production steers the series toward its live shows.

Insiders say the tensions stem in part from last year’s partner assignments and the feeling among some pros that decisions about celeb pairings can be unpredictable. The friction between Xu and Gu has drawn renewed attention after last year’s rift, when Nancy Xu was paired with Shayne Ward while Carlos Gu did not land a celebrity partner. Carlos has since tried to play down the fissure, telling reporters earlier that they remain close friends who sometimes argue, but the online silence around Nancy’s latest post has kept the narrative in the spotlight as the new series opens.

While the social-media sparring dominates backstage chatter, the show is also contending with real departures and controversies off the dance floor. On Tuesday, Dani Dyer, a favorite from Love Island, withdrew from the competition after fracturing her ankle during rehearsals, a setback that heightens scrutiny of the production’s handling of injuries and training pace. Dani posted a message confirming the fracture and saying she was heartbroken to miss dancing with her partner Nikita Kuzmanov, reinforcing how injuries threaten even early-season favorites. The week’s turmoil was further complicated by the ongoing saga around Apprentice alum Thomas Skinner, whose social-media posts and public statements have drawn criticism from viewers and some BBC observers. Insiders say producers are navigating the tension between keeping a controversial but popular contestant on the show and safeguarding Strictly’s family-friendly image, while Amy Dowden remains a steadying force alongside Skinner.

The 2025 lineup itself reads like a cross-section of sports, acting and reality TV personalities, designed to pull in diverse audiences. The roster includes Olympic sprinter Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, Doctor Who actress Alex Kingston, EastEnders star Balvinder Sopal, drag performer La Voix, and other high-profile entrants such as Thomas Skinner, Vicky Pattison, Karen Carney, George Clark, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, Ellie Goldstein, Chris Robshaw, Stefan Dennis, Ross King, and Lewis Cope. The mix reflects Strictly’s ongoing strategy of pairing well-known figures with accomplished professional dancers, while courting fan engagement through social media and press coverage. The show’s producers have not indicated any imminent changes to the format, stressing that they are focused on delivering entertainment while managing the current tensions among the cast.

BBC insiders say the show remains committed to delivering high-energy performances and a compelling narrative for audiences, even as personnel tensions and off-set controversies unfold. Fans have publicly offered support to the pros who have spoken out, while others await further clarity on partner assignments and the tone the series will strike this year. With live shows approaching, the production team is balancing the desire to highlight personal journeys with the need to keep the competition fair, authentic, and entertaining for viewers around the world.