Luba Mushtuk has confirmed she’s leaving Strictly Come Dancing amid a bloodbath of top talent being ‘axed’ from the show.
The Daily Mail learnt earlier this month that Luba, Nadiya Bychkova, 36, Karen Hauer, 43, Michelle Tsiakkas, 30, and Gorka Marquez, 35, had all been given the boot.
Now Luba has become the latest star to speak out about leaving the BBC show, saying her time on the dancing competition ‘meant the world’ to her.
In an Instagram statement, Luba, 36, penned: ‘With a heart full of gratitude, the time has come for me to step away from Strictly Come Dancing.
‘I am deeply grateful for the past 10 years on this beautiful show!
‘Thank you for the amazing opportunity and the unforgettable memories. It has truly meant the world to me.’
Luba Mushtuk has confirmed she’s leaving Strictly after Daily Mail learnt that she, Nadiya Bychkova, Karen Hauer, Michelle Tsiakkas and Gorka Marquez, have been given the boot
Now Luba has become the latest star to speak out about leaving the BBC show, saying her time on the dancing competition ‘meant the world’ to her
The BBC then paid tribute to Luba with their own statement, penning: ‘Luba has been, and always will be, a much-loved member of the Strictly family, and we wish her every success’
Luba continued: ‘Now it’s time for me to follow my dreams beyond the show, and I’m excited for what the future holds.
‘I can’t wait to see you all on the Pro Tour and I’m really looking forward to it for one last time. With all my love, Luba.’
The BBC then paid tribute to Luba with their own statement, sharing on the Strictly Instagram account: ‘A heartfelt thank you to Luba Mushtuk for her outstanding contribution to Strictly Come Dancing.
‘Since joining in 2016 as an assistant choreographer and stepping into the professional dancer line-up two years later, Luba has been a valued member of the team – bringing professionalism, creativity, and her quality expertise year after year.
‘Respected both on and off the dance floor, she has consistently delivered unforgettable routines, captivating audiences with her remarkable talent and signature elegance.
‘We are incredibly grateful for her dedication to the programme and for always going above and beyond—whether through the care and commitment she showed her celebrity partners or her warmth and kindness behind the scenes.
‘Luba has been, and always will be, a much-loved member of the Strictly family, and we wish her every success in the future.’
Russian dancer Luba moved to Italy when she was 12 to train, where she became four-time Italian Dance Championship and an Italian Open Latin Show Dance champion.
After joining Strictly in 2018 she went on to win that year’s Children In Need special with Boyzone’s Shane Lynch.
She has also competed on the Strictly Christmas special four times, with Jake Wood in 2018, Jay Blades in 2021, Rickie Haywood-Williams in 2022 and Nicholas Bailey in 2025.
Her first celebrity partner on the main show was Olympic rower James Cracknell in 2019, with the pair becoming the first couple to be eliminated.
In 2020, she was partnered with the former NFL player and sports pundit, Jason Bell and they were the second couple to be eliminated.
Luba was then placed in the dance troupe for two years before gaining actor Adam Thomas as a partner in 2023.They were the sixth couple to be eliminated.
The following year she was paired up with TV presenter Nick Knowles and they were the third couple to be eliminated.
Luba was flooded with supportive messages from her fellow pros and former Strictly stars
After joining Strictly in 2018 she went on to win that year’s Children In Need special with Boyzone’s Shane Lynch (pictured)
Luba’s exit follows on from Nadiya, who this week released a statement detailing how her role as a professional dancer on the hit BBC series is ‘evolving’ after nine years on the star-studded show.
She wrote: ‘After 9 wonderful years, this part of my journey with Strictly Come Dancing is evolving.
‘There is something truly special about being part of a programme that plays such a big part in so many people’s lives and I want to thank all those who have sent beautiful messages over the last few weeks and those who have voted, shouted, supported, celebrated and cheered during every series.
‘I also want to take a moment to appreciate all those who have helped me along the way: my partners, my fellow professionals, the judges and brilliant people behind the scenes.’
‘I also want to take a moment to appreciate all those who have helped me along the way: my partners, my fellow professionals, the judges and brilliant people behind the scenes.
‘I joined the show as an athlete and a double world champion. Along the way I have learned so much about myself and other people. I have grown, not only professionally, but personally and creatively.
‘Strictly has allowed me to discover new sides of myself, develop new skills, and evolve as an artist in ways I will always be grateful for.’
Nadiya revealed she is ‘excited’ to still be part of the ‘Strictly world for many years to come’ but in new way in which she is currently busy exploring.
She continued: ‘This isn’t the end… I look forward to being part of the Strictly world for many years to come in ways I am beginning to explore.
‘I’ve changed a lot since I first stepped onto that dance floor, not just as a performer, but as a person and I can honestly say I’ve never felt more like myself.
‘I’m excited to have time to focus on new projects, and to spend more precious time with my beautiful daughter. Life feels full of possibilities.
‘I danced before Strictly, I loved dancing on the show and I plan to keep dancing for many years to come. Thank you for all the love and support along the way’.
Following Nadiya’s announcement the official BBC Strictly Instagram account shared a statement thanking the Ukrainian ballroom star.
They penned: ‘We would like to say a huge thank you to Nadiya Bychkova for her incredible contribution to Strictly Come Dancing.
‘Since joining the show nine years ago, Nadiya has brought elegance, artistry, and unwavering dedication to the ballroom, and she will always remain a cherished member of the Strictly family.
‘Over the years, Nadiya has delivered countless memorable performances, showcasing not only her exceptional talents as a dancer and choreographer but also her brilliance as a teacher to all her celebrity partners.
‘A consummate professional, Nadiya embodies the very best of what Strictly stands for. We are deeply grateful for everything she has given to the show and wish her every success for the future.’
Luba’s exit follows on from Nadiya Bychkova’s, who this week released a statement detailing how her role as a professional dancer on the hit BBC series is ‘evolving’ after nine years
Several of Nadiya’s co-stars and friends shared their support to her in the comments including ex-host Tess Daly, Amy Dowden, Helen Skelton, Gemma Atkinson, Karen Hauer and Gorka Marquez.
Last year Nadiya was partnered with rugby player Chris Robshaw but the pair were knocked out of the competition in week three.
She has also been partnered with Davood Ghadami, Lee Ryan, David James, Matt Goss, Dan Walker and Tom Dean over her nine year stint.
Nadiya made it all the way to the quarter-finals with presenter Dan in 2021, the furthest she made on the BBC show.
But she wasn’t asked to be a part of the Strictly Live tour this year and has now been told that her time on the dancefloor is over.
Days before Nadiyah announced her exit, Strictly’s longest-serving professional Karen Hauer branded her axing from the show ‘stressful and emotional’.
The dancer, 43, who was on the show for 13 years, shared an emotional video where she revealed she was choosing to step away from the show to focus on other ventures.
She began to cry as she recalled her pride at ‘a young girl from the Bronx’ going on to be the show’s longest-serving female professional.
Karen’s last celebrity partner on the series was Gladiator star Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, while the year before she danced with former footballer Paul Merson and, in 2023, comedian Eddie Kadi.
She showcased her versatility as a choreographer by performing with comic Jayde Adams in 2022, following on from Katya Jones, who was the first Strictly female pro to perform in a same-sex pairing.
Other celebrity partners Karen has performed with include Sunday Brunch host Simon Rimmer and TOWIE’s Mark Wright, one of the first reality stars signed to the show.
Despite her long-standing commitment, Karen has never won the Strictly glitterball trophy, though she did reach the final with Mark Wright in 2014.
It comes after sources claimed that Strictly bosses judge some pros’ following on TikTok when decided which stars would be axed in the show’s mass cull.
Sources claimed on Monday that bosses have chosen to keep pros with a bigger online following in a desperate bid to draw in younger viewers.
Now its been claimed those with bigger online followings have been chosen over dancers who are not so TikTok friendly as the series tries desperately to attract a younger audience.
One example appears to be axed Nadiya who boasts 19,000 followers, while Dianne Buswell, also 36, with 966,000 followers has kept her place in the line-up.
Karen, who was Strictly’s longest-serving female dancer, is a similar story with her 9,000 followers while safe newcomer Alexis Warr, 25, has a whopping 190,000.
A source said: ‘Strictly is always looking for ways to increase its audience in terms of volume, but also in terms of attracting new, young viewers.
They told The Sun: ‘Social media is a massive part of broadening that appeal, and TikTok is the perfect medium for a show where music and dance is at the forefront.
‘They won’t simply lose someone from the line up because they aren’t big on TikTok, but it might just be the thing that saves them from exiting the line-up.’
Meanwhile Fleur East and Janette Manrara have also reportedly been axed from Strictly Come Dancing’s spin-off It Takes Two.
Insiders say bosses are plotting a major revamp of the BBC Two weeknight show in the wake of a string of scandals that have rocked the franchise.
Former Strictly pro Janette, 42, took over hosting duties in 2021 after eight years on the main show, while pop star Fleur, 38, joined the line-up in 2023 after reaching the final the year before.
Days before Nadiyah announced her exit, Strictly’s longest-serving professional Karen Hauer branded her axing from the show ‘stressful and emotional’
But now both stars are said to be in the firing line as executives push for a bold new direction.
‘Fans will be stunned that this bloodbath is continuing, but bosses are determined to overhaul the show completely,’ an industry source told The Sun.
‘Nobody feels safe right now and there’s a real drive behind the scenes to usher in a fresh era after all the recent drama.
‘But the priority is a clean slate by September and putting distance between the show and the controversies of recent years.’
The source added actions taken by BBC bosses do not mean Janette and Fleur ‘are out of the picture entirely’ and that there could be other roles for them ‘elsewhere’.
Sources suggest bosses are aiming for an entirely fresh start following years of criticism and controversy surrounding the professional dancers.
Elsewhere, Neil Jones, 43, who has rarely had a celebrity dance partner on the show, will also go without one this year, as will Nancy Xu, 34.
It’s believed they may still appear in the big group dance numbers.
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