Strictly pro admits uncertainity about her future on the show amid ‘cast shake-up’
STRICTLY pro Nancy Xu has admitted uncertainity about her future on the show amid a ‘cast shake-up’.
Nancy, 33, shared that she is still waiting to hear whether she’ll be returning to the BBC show for its next season, amid speculation about changes to the dancers’ lineup.
The Chinese dancer joined the competition in 2019 and has since partnered with celebrities such as Rhys Stephenson, Will Mellor, Les Dennis, and most recently, Shayne Ward.
Nancy also celebrated a win in the 2023 Christmas special alongside EastEnders actor Jamie Borthwick.
However, as rumours persist about potential shake-ups among the pros, Nancy revealed she has yet to receive confirmation about her place in the upcoming series.
Speaking ahead of the live tour, she told The Mirror: “I am waiting for the call. Basically, all of us are waiting for the call. We will find out soon. I hope so.”
Nancy isn’t the only pro yet to hear about her future on the show.
Fellow dancer Katya Jones, who joined Strictly in 2016, is also awaiting news.
Reflecting on the possibility of returning for her 10th year, Katya told the publication: “Am I hoping to be back? Well, this year would be my 10th on Strictly, so I am hoping for a round number.”
On the tour itself, Vito Copola has been replaced after suffering a painful back injury.
He was due to reunite with his celebrity partner Sarah Hadland on stage this Friday when the tour kicked off in Birmingham.
But Vito was forced to step back, just a week after returning to the Strictly rehearsals studio.
Speaking on This Morning, he told hosts Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard he’ll miss out on dancing in the first three shows.
He said: “At the moment I will be replaced by Nikita because I have got a little injury. It’s a dancer thing, we are used to having this pain in the body.”
Giving an update on his condition, Vito continued: “I can move, I can walk but to go in and dance full on and lifting, and sharp twists of the body, it’s better at the moment to have a little rest.”
The star also assured viewers he’ll return to the stage later this month when the tour reaches Sheffield on January 21.
He said: “It’s better to dance from Sheffield, and I’ve got to do physio this week.
“I really want to be there, I’m jumping, dancing, inside!”
Turning to Sarah on the This Morning sofa, he added: “We’re going to be back soon, and in the meantime you (Sarah) will have the best time in Birmingham.”
This year’s Strictly tour promises to be bigger and better than ever, with the stars set to perform live in arenas across the UK.
Fans can expect dazzling group dances, jaw-dropping performances, and plenty of backstage banter.
The 2024 show was won by Australian pro dancer Dianne Buswell and Scouse comedian Chris McCausland.
Fans might be disappointed the winners won’t be dancing together on the tour, however they can see Chris in his own stand-up tour which kicks off this month.
The Strictly tour begins in Birmingham on January 17, with thousands of fans eager to see their favourite stars hit the stage.
All your Strictly Come Dancing winners
Strictly first kicked off back in 2004, and over the years has crowned 21 winners.
Here is a full list of who has been lucky enough to win the famous Glitterball Trophy:
- 2004 – Natasha Kaplinsky
- 2004 – Jill Halfpenny
- 2005 – Darren Gough
- 2006 – Mark Ramprakash
- 2007 – Alesha Dixon
- 2008 – Tom Chambers
- 2009 – Chris Hollins
- 2010 – Kara Tointon
- 2011 – Harry Judd
- 2012 – Louis Smith
- 2013 – Abbey Clancy
- 2014 – Caroline Flack
- 2015 – Jay McGuiness
- 2016 – Ore Oduba
- 2017 – Joe McFadden
- 2018 – Stacey Dooley
- 2019 – Kelvin Fletcher
- 2020 – Bill Bailey
- 2021 – Rose Ayling-Ellis
- 2022 – Hamza Yassin
- 2023 – Ellie Leach
- 2024 – Chris McCausland
NEW LINE-UP CLUE
Strictly fans got excited last month when the Christmas Special winner dropped a huge hint they may be one of the celebrities appearing on the show in 2025.
Drag queen Tayce and pro dance partner Kai Widdrington received tens across the board for their Cha Cha on the Strictly Christmas special.
The dance partners then appeared on Loose Women with Tayce dropping a huge hint they may be back for the 2025 show.
After confirming it was a bucket list moment in her career, the rapper and model was asked by Coleen Nolan if she would like to do the main show later this year.
She said: “Oh never say never baby! Yes! You never know. I might be there. I might not be.
“Who’s to know, who’s to say?”
The dance duo truly wowed the judges with their Cha-Cha on the night.
Judge Craig Revel Horwood praised their dance to 100 Degrees by Kylie and Dannii Minogue, saying it was “absolutely fierce, serving realness, serving fab-u-lous”.
Tayce battled it out for the trophy against celebs including Josh Widdicombe, Vogue Williams, Tamzin Outhwaite, Billy Monger and Harry Aikines-Aryeetey.
Tayce shot to fame on the second series of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK in 2021, reaching second place on the series.