Strictly Come Dancing brutal shake-up continues as two more stars face chop
Reach Daily Express March 22, 2026 08:39 AM

BBC's Strictly Come Dancing shake up looks set to continue with reports It Takes Two hosts Janette Manrara, 42, and Fleur East, 38, are facing the chop with show bosses wanting to give BBC2's weeknight programme a refresh. Janette, who is married to fellow professional dancer Aljaz Skorjanec, 36, was a show pro for eight years until she began hosting It Takes Two in 2021. Meanwhile Fleur, who first found fame on ITV's X Factor, made the finals as a contestant in 2022 before joining Janette on the spin off in 2023.

However, it looks like their time as co-workers is set to come to an end amid a series of show exits which have come as viewers await the announcement of the new presenters following the departure of Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman at the end of the last series. A source said: "Viewers will be shocked that this bloodbath has continued but bosses want a completely new look and fresh start for the show.

"Nobody feels safe at the moment but execs are determined to have a complete refresh after all the drama in recent years and create a new era," they told The Sun.

Despite this they indicated the pair may not be completely cut fromthe Strictly family adding: "Just because Fleur and Janette aren't on It Takes Two that's not to say they won't be repurposed elsewhere."

When contacted by Express.co.uk a BBC spokesperson said: "It is factually incorrect to claim that either has been 'axed'. Plans for Strictly Come Dancing 2026 will be confirmed in due course."

Strictly has undergone a huge shake up in recent weeks with a number of pro dancers confirmed to be leaving the line up.

It has been reported that Nadiya Bychkova, Luba Mushtuk, Gorka Marquez andMichelle Tsiakkas will not be returning for the 2026 season.

Meanwhile, it is also claimed that Neil Jones and Nancy Xu will sit on the sidelines for most of the series, as they will not have celebrity partners.

The show's longest serving female pro Karen Hauer also confirmed her departure from the show after 14 years with an emotional statement.

Posting a video on Instagram, she addressed fans with a "tough" update, explaining: "Hey everyone, I've got something to tell you. It's a tough one, but here we go. After 14 years on Strictly Come Dancing, I've decided this is the right time for me to close this chapter and take on new projects in other areas that I'm passionate about."

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