Luba Mushtuk and Gorka Marquez delivered emotional goodbyes at the Strictly Come Dancing pro tour finale on Saturday in Blackpool, marking the end of an era amid a sweeping cast overhaul. the departures, which the Daily Mail reported as part of a “bloodbath” that also claimed Nadiya Bychkova, Karen Hauer, and Michelle Tsiakkas, come as the BBC confirms a major host replacement for the upcoming series.

Gorka Marquez's 10-year farewell at the Blackpool Opera House

Gorka Marquez, who had already announced his departure after a decade on the series, was seen on stage at the Blackpool Opera House embracing fellow professionals as Luba Mushtuk broke down in tears. According to the source report, the pair were wrapped in a group hug while Luba delivered a poignant speech vowing to “keep dancing,” adding that while one dance ends , new steps and stories await. The moment capped a highly emotional tour finale that underscored the personal stakes behind the show's professional roster changes.

The Daily Mail had reported in March that Gorka was among the professionals dismissed,though he had pre-empted the news with his own announcement. The BBC later confirmed a major revamp for the show's return in September, with Emma Willis, Johannes Radebe, and Josh Widdicombe replacing Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman as hosts.

The “bloodbath” that claimed five professionals

The Daily Mail report, which the source article cites, described the spate of dismissals as a “bloodbath” affecting Luba, Nadiya Bychkova, Karen Hauer, Michelle Tsiakkas, and Gorka. Luba later issued an Instagram statement expressing deep gratitude for her ten years on Strictly, calling the experience meaningful beyond words. The BBC's Strictly Instagram account responded with a heartfelt tribute, praising Luba's professionalism, creativity, and warmth since she joined in 2016, first as assistant choreographer then as a pro dancer.

What remains unclear from the source is the exact rationale behind the selection of those let go . Were the cuts performance-based, budgetary, or part of a broader creative refresh? The answer has not been publicly addressed by the BBC, leaving fans and industry watchers to speculate on the criteria used to reshape the professional lineup.

Three main-show losses: Luba Mushtuk's competitive track record

Luba Mushtuk, a four-time Italian Dance Championship and Italian Open Latin Show Dance champion, joined Strictly as assistant choreographer in 2016 before becoming a pro dancer. According to the source, her main-show partners were James Cracknell (2019), Jason Bell (2020), and Adam Thomas (2023), with each partnership ending in elimination. She also won the 2018 Children In Need special with Shane Lynch and appeared in four Christmas specials.

That competitive record—three partners, three early exits—stands in contrast to her technical pedigree and the emotional investment she clearly had in the show. it also echoes a pattern on Strictly where professionals with limited progression on the main show are often first considered for replacement, though the show has not confirmed any such linkage.

A host shake-up and the search for the show's new identity

Beyond the professional dancers, the BBC confirmed that Emma Willis, Johannes Radebe, and Josh Widdicombe will replace Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman as hosts for the upcoming series. This is a bold move for a show that has relied on Daly and Winkleman's familiar presence for years. The source does not provide details on why the change was made, or whether it is connected to the professional shake-up, but the timing suggests a comprehensive rethinking of the program's front-of-camera talent.

The unanswered question is how audiences will respond to the new host lineup. Will they embrace a fresh enegy, or will the loss of beloved longtime presenters compound the sense of upheaval from the professional departures? The show's ability to balance renewal with continuity will be tested when it returns in September.