Strictly star says show needs to stay ‘fresh’ after numerous dancers are axed

• Aljaž Škorjanec, a former Strictly Come Dancing professional, has defended the show's decision to axe several dancers, stating it keeps the programme “fresh”.
• Reports indicate that Michelle Tsiakkas, Gorka Márquez, Luba Mushtuk, Nadiya Bychkova, and Karen Hauer have been dropped from the upcoming series.
• Škorjanec, who won the show in 2013 and returned after a break, believes that while sad, new faces bring “fresh energy” and prevent the show from becoming “stale”.
• The BBC has stated that official announcements regarding this year's professionals and new hosts will be made in due course.
• Other reported changes include Neil Jones and Nancy Xu remaining on the show but without celebrity partners, and new hosts replacing Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman.

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Strictly star Aljaž Škorjanec defends BBC’s decision to axe fellow professionals