Five Strictly Come Dancing pros depart as 2025 line-up confirmed
The BBC has revealed that five professional dancers will not be returning for the 2025 series of Strictly Come Dancing: Karen Hauer, Gorka Marquez, Nadiya Bychkova, Luba Mushtuk, and Michelle Tsiakkas. After 14 years, Hauer, the longest-serving female professional, will be leaving the show. The network confirmed that 15 of the 20 dancers from the previous season will be back, including Amy Dowden, who was absent from the 2024 series due to an injury. Judges Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, and Anton Du Beke are also set to return. Hauer announced her departure in March, expressing it was time to move on. The new series is anticipated to start in September, with no announcements yet regarding replacements.
Key facts
- Five professional dancers are leaving Strictly Come Dancing: Karen Hauer, Gorka Marquez, Nadiya Bychkova, Luba Mushtuk, and Michelle Tsiakkas.
- Karen Hauer was the longest-serving female pro, having been on the show for 14 years.
- 15 of the 20 professionals from last year will return for the 2025 series.
- Returning pros include Amy Dowden, who missed the 2024 series due to injury and the 2023 series after a breast cancer diagnosis.
- Judges Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, and Anton Du Beke will all return.
- No replacements have been announced for the departing dancers or for hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly.
- Hauer announced her exit in March via Instagram and has been cast in the play Stepping Out from August.
- The new series is expected to begin in September.
Entities
Artists
- Karen Hauer
- Gorka Marquez
- Nadiya Bychkova
- Luba Mushtuk
- Michelle Tsiakkas
- Amy Dowden
- Shirley Ballas
- Craig Revel Horwood
- Motsi Mabuse
- Anton Du Beke
- Claudia Winkleman
- Tess Daly
- Mark Wright
- Jamie Laing
- Gemma Atkinson
- Tom Skinner
Institutions
- BBC
- Strictly Come Dancing