Key Points
- Felt let down by post-overhaul decisions after heavy personal commitments to the show
- Tour organisers expressed disappointment but respected her choice, wishing her well
- Exit follows a wider professional shake-up; fans praised her performances and supported her
Why They're In The News
MICHELLE Tsiakkas is officially stepping away from the Strictly: The Professionals 2026 tour following her recent exit from Strictly Come Dancing.
The dancer, who joined the hit BBC series in 2022, had been expected to appear in the nationwide live shows but has now decided not to take part.
According to reports, Michelle felt she had committed heavily to the show and was left disappointed by how events unfolded after the latest cast overhaul.
Her departure comes just days after news broke that she was among several professional dancers dropped from the main Strictly line-up.
“Michelle feels like she’s got a lot to process at the moment,” a source told The Sun.
“She’s made a lot of personal sacrifices for the show and was in it for the long term.
“I think she feels like she was promised one thing but has been given something totally different.”
Tour organisers confirmed the news in a statement, saying they were disappointed Michelle would not be joining the production but respected her decision and wished her well for the future.
Michelle became a familiar face on the series through group routines and later danced with celebrity partner Jamie Borthwick in 2024. Fans have since shared support online, with many saying she will be greatly missed.
Her exit is part of a wider reshuffle behind the scenes, with a number of Strictly pros affected ahead of the next series. Other dancers are still expected to appear on the upcoming live tour.
Why This Matters
Her decision highlights how cast shake-ups can upend dancers' careers and live productions, raising questions about transparency and commitments within top TV franchises while disappointing fans and potentially altering the upcoming tour's choreography and billing.
