Strictly Come Dancing producers are reportedly planning to introduce a whole host of new professional dancers to the show in 2025.
Earlier this year the BBC's flagship entertainment programme became embroiled in scandal following allegations about the behind-the-scenes behaviour of pros Giovanni Pernice and Graziano Di Prima, resulting in both of them quitting ahead of the 2024 series.
According to The Sun, producers have decided to replace some of the established stars in 2025, naming Nadiya Bychkova, Gorka Marquez, Neil Jones, Katya Jones and Karen Hauer as potential candidates for the chop.
A source told the newspaper: "The review of the lineup has always been about making a fresh start, and that was always going to be affected by which dancers performed well this series.
"The feeling is that the Strictly troupe is made up of some fading stars, while others are rising stars. And in many cases there are certain characters whose shoes can easily be filled with younger, up-and-coming counterparts.
"It's harsh but it's just part of the traditional turnover of showbusiness.
"Of the five names in the mix almost all of them went out in the first half of the series, which is very much seen as a landmark point for Strictly.
"It couldn't have come at a worse time for them, because Strictly bosses feel they need to make some major changes, even if that means big names leaving."
The current series continues Saturday nights and Sunday nights on BBC One.
Neil Wilkes
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