A Strictly star has admitted the pros are still ‘waiting for the call’ (Picture: David Fisher/Shutterstock)
Strictly Come Dancing star Nancy Xu has revealed she’s still waiting to hear about her future on the BBC One competition.
Rumours have been swirling over a possible shake-up amid the professional dancers, after sources claimed last year that five stars were set to be ‘axed’.
Nancy, 33, joined Strictly in 2019, and has been partnered with Rhys Stephenson, Will Mellor, Les Dennis and most recently, Shayne Ward.
She also won the Christmas special in 2023 with EastEnders actor Jamie Borthwick.
However, she’s now revealed she has yet to find out if she’ll be a part of the cast this year.
Ahead of taking part in the live tour, Nancy said: ‘I am waiting for the call. Basically all of us are waiting for the call. We will find out soon. I hope so.’
Nancy Xu joined Strictly in 2019 (Picture: BBC/Ray Burmiston)
She was partnered with Shayne Ward last year (Picture: Guy Levy/BBC/PA Wire)
Meanwhile Katya Jones also admitted she hasn’t heard about her return to Strictly, also telling The Mirror: ‘Am I hoping to be back? Well this year would be my 10th on Strictly so I am hoping for a round number.’
The star was embroiled in controversy during the latest season of Strictly, after she appeared to snub her dance partner Wynne Evans’ high five attempt, and his apology after the infamous moment she seemed to move his hand from her waist.
Their comments come after Johannes Radebe confirmed his plans to continue on Strictly.
Following the scandal on the programme last year, which saw both Giovanni Pernice and Graziano Di Prima axed from the pro line-up, reports claimed there were plans to overhaul the show.
Katya wants a ’round number’ after her ninth season with Wynne Evans (Picture: Guy Levy/BBC/PA Wire)
Johannes Radebe insisted he’s not going anywhere (Picture: @johannesradebe)
Names including Johannes, Neil Jones, Karen Hauer, Nadiya Bychkova, and Gorka Marquez were all said to be in the line of fire, but Johannes quickly shut down the rumours, declaring: ‘I’m going nowhere, nowhere. It’s a lie.’
An insider had earlier told The Sun: ‘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.’
Giovanni Pernice left a possible return open (Picture: Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock)
They added: ‘It’s harsh but it’s just part of the traditional turnover of showbusiness. It couldn’t have come at a worse time for [the dancers], because Strictly bosses feel they need to make some major changes, even if that means big names leaving.’
Meanwhile, Giovanni, who won the Italian version of Strictly, has kept a possible return to the BBC show open.
Not ruling anything out, he said on Lorraine: ‘Who knows, never say never.’
Strictly Come Dancing is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.
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