BBC’s brutal strategy behind Strictly Come Dancing axings will rile loyal fans

It’s all change on Strictly Come Dancing and a number of pro dancers won’t be back and suggestions social media was used to help decide will not please the show’s viewers

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Strictly Come Dancing’s professional line-up is facing a ‘bloodbath’(Image: Handout)

BBC bosses are using shock tactics behind the scene to determine which pro dancers to keep on the show – by going hunting on TikTok.

Fan favourite Karen Hauer is already out the door with Gorka Márquez, Nadiya Bychkova, Luba Mushtuk and Michelle Tsiakkas rumoured to follow her. And according to sources, that’s not the end of this year’s exits. The mass cull marks one of the biggest cast shake-ups in recent years. Even Strictly’s spin-off show, It Takes Two isn’t safe with the roles of hosts Fleur East and Janette Manrara also being looked at by bosses.

Now the reasoning behind the decision making has finally been revealed. It has been reported that those with bigger online presence will be kept over dancers who are not so active or popular on TikTok as the BBC desperately attempts to attract a younger audience. The iconic show, which has been dogged by scandal in recent years, is set for big changes with much-loved hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly moving on.

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It’s all change with Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly being replaced (Image: PA)

Karen, the show’s longest-serving female dancer, boasts around 9,000 followers on TikTok while Alexis Warr – who is said to be safe from the chop – has almost 190,000. It has been claimed bosses used the platform to help decide the star’s furture. MirrorOnline approached the BBC for comment and the corporation declined to comment.

“Strictly is always looking for ways to increase its audience in terms of volume, but also in terms of attracting new, young viewers,” a source 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.”

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The ballroom will look very different later this year (Image: BBC)

Another insider has spoken about the call, saying: “Fans will be stunned that this bloodbath is continuing, but bosses are determined to overhaul the show completely. 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.”

Karen has meanwhile described her sudden departure as “terribly stressful”. She says she couldn’t have coped with the stress and heartbreak of losing her Strictly job without her four beloved dogs and speaking at the LitPet Sunday Dog Social event in London yesterday, the Venezuelan–American knows what helped keep her smiling.

Karen said: “It’s been a terribly stressful time, and my four dogs have really helped me get through it. What’s just happened is part of life and the stresses that go with it. My dogs really feel it when I’m stressed and they have really helped me get through this.”

Sarah James, executive producer at Strictly, said in a statement: “As the longest-serving female professional dancer in the history of the show, Karen has given so much of herself and her time to the programme, and we are extremely grateful for the passion, creativity and dedication she has brought to every single performance.

“She has captivated audiences with her talent, warmth and genuine love of dance and has been responsible for some of the most iconic partnerships and joyous routines the Strictly dance floor has ever seen.

“We thank her for all these memorable moments and for her incredible work ethic. Her professionalism and sense of humour shine through everything she achieves and we can’t wait to see where her next chapter takes her.”