Strictly’s Michelle Tsiakkas QUITS live tour after being ‘axed from main show’ in midst of BBC bloodbath – as bosses state they are ‘naturally disappointed but respect her decision’

Strictly star Michelle Tsiakkas has quit the live tour amid claims she has been dropped from the struggling BBC show.

The live tour was scheduled to begin in April, but in an announcement made on the tour’s official Instagram page, Michelle pulled out of the show.

The following statements were used in the statement: ‘Michelle Tsiakkas has decided not to participate in the Strictly The Professionals 2026 Tour. Naturally, we are disappointed, but we respect his decision and wish him success in the future…

‘We look forward to starting tour rehearsals early next month with Julian, Vito, Neil, Gorka, Lauren, Jowita, Luba, Alexis, Kai and Nancy.’

The BBC program has suffered a major shake-up following the departures of presenters Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman; Michelle was eliminated from the cast, joining Karen Hauer, Nadiya Bychkova, Luba Mushtuk and Gorka Márquez.

The following statements were used in the statement: ‘Michelle Tsiakkas has decided not to participate in the Strictly The Professionals 2026 Tour. ‘Naturally we are disappointed, but we respect his decision and wish him every success in the future.’

Earlier this week, The Daily Mail exclusively reported that Karen, who joined Strictly in 2012 and is one of its longest-serving professionals, had been informed days earlier of the decision not to renew her contract.

While some names were removed from the series, it was also revealed that Katya Jones would remain in the cast and was given a new contract by the bosses.

After Michelle, Karen, 43, Nadiya, 36, Luba, 36, and Gorka, 35, were also axed from the series, sources claim all Strictly pros were already aware of their fates.

An insider told the Daily Mail: ‘Karen is the latest professional dancer to be told her contract will not be renewed this year.

‘This is more a case of leaving the old and entering the new. ‘Karen, the longest-serving female dancer, learned last week that her time on Strictly was over.’

A second source added: ‘This is a terrible fate for professional dancers who have dedicated their careers to the show.

The live tour was scheduled to begin in April, but in an announcement made on the tour’s official Instagram page, Michelle pulled out of the show.

‘Karen was clearly very upset after receiving the news but is trying to remain positive about the future. She works as a choreographer and knows she can focus more on that, along with her work in the fitness industry.

Sources suggest bosses are aiming for a completely fresh start after years of criticism and controversy around professional dancers.

Elsewhere, Neil Jones, 43, who rarely has a celebrity dance partner in the show, will also be partnerless this year, as will Nancy Xu, 34.

It is thought that they can still take part in large group dance numbers.