Nancy Xu incensed after BBC snub leaves her without a Strictly partner

Strictly Come Dancing pro Nancy Xu has reportedly been left incensed after BBC bosses failed to pair her with a celebrity for the latest series. The 34-year-old, who joined the show in 2019, has built a reputation for strong performances and a string of notable partnerships, including a Christmas special win in 2023 with EastEnders actor Jamie Borthwick. Xu’s absence from a main-show partner this year comes as producers shuffle lineups amid other logistical considerations for the forthcoming edition.

The arrangement for the 2024 Christmas special saw Nancy teamed with Gladiators star Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, but he has since been recast for the main show with Karen Hauer. Insiders say Xu is upset that she’s benched again, despite a brilliant run with Harry during the Christmas edition, and she has expressed concern that there may be a deeper issue behind the decision that she does not understand. Xu previously partnered with Aikines-Aryeetey during the 2024 Christmas special, while in the 2023 festive episode she celebrated a win with Jamie Borthwick. Last year she also competed with Shayne Ward before the pair were eliminated in week eight of the main series.

Daily Mail reporters cited a source saying: “Nancy is absolutely incensed by it all and has said she can’t work out what she’s done to be snubbed again — especially because she did so well with Shayne Ward last year.” The BBC declined to comment when approached by Mail Online. The focus on Xu comes amid broader production chatter surrounding the show, including plans surrounding a pregnant contestant.

For context, producers have reportedly put contingency plans in place for pregnant Strictly pro Dianne Buswell as she prepares to compete. Buswell, who announced her pregnancy last month, is expecting a baby boy with partner Joe Sugg and has said she plans to continue dancing as long as possible. The Sun reported that the BBC and the show’s welfare team are monitoring her health and wellbeing, and that several pro dancers could step in if needed to ensure the competition could continue smoothly into late pregnancy. Buswell is due to compete with Neighbours actor Stefan Dennis on the current series, with reports that her baby is due in early 2026 and the final is not until December, creating potential scheduling challenges for the production.

Xu joined Strictly in 2019 and has since built a reputation as a reliable and high-energy partner, with a track record that includes winning the 2023 Christmas special with Jamie Borthwick and reaching multiple rounds in earlier seasons. In the 2023 main series, Jamie Borthwick was paired with pro Michelle Tsiakkas, illustrating how partners can shift between the main show and festive specials from year to year. Xu’s recent public comments to the press have reflected her passion for Strictly and her desire to continue contributing to the show’s success.

The current Strictly lineup for 2025 has been confirmed, featuring a mix of athletes, actors, reality stars and dancers. Among the participants are Olympic sprinter Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, Doctor Who actress Alex Kingston, EastEnders star Balvinder Sopal, drag performer La Voix, reality-television personalities such as Thomas Skinner and Dani Dyer, as well as football pundits and other public figures. The breadth of the lineup underscores the show’s ongoing strategy of pairing well-known celebrities with experienced pros who can guide them through a demanding dance schedule. While Xu’s absence from the announced main-show pairing has drawn attention, producers have repeatedly emphasized the show’s need to balance talent, health considerations and audience appeal as the season unfolds.

BBC officials have not publicly explained Xu’s non-allocation to a celebrity partner for the current run, and networks have historically kept the specifics of casting changes private. In a show that has become a cultural staple, the negotiation and decision-making behind casting remain a closely guarded process, with insiders occasionally providing insights to entertainment media. As fans prepare for the season’s premiere, questions about Xu’s status and potential future appearances persist, even as the show forges ahead with its star-studded lineup and festive specials that have helped define Strictly Come Dancing for more than a decade.