BBC addresses claims Strictly: It Takes Two hosts have been ‘axed’ from show

The BBC has shut down reports it’s also cut the hosts of Strictly Come Dancing spin-off series It Takes Two after axing a string of professional dancers.

Earlier this month it was reported the fates of several stars of the long-running dancing series were up in the air.

Gorka Marquez, Luba Mushtuk, and Michelle Tsiakkas were the first reported to have been axed from the show, with Nadiya Bychkova then added to the pile.

Meanwhile Neil Jones and Nancy Xu were also said to have been benched and would not be assigned a celebrity partner for the upcoming series.

Then, this weekend, Karen Hauer – the longest-serving female pro – confirmed she’d quit.

However overnight it was reported that show bosses also wanted to give It Takes Two a refresh.

‘Viewers will be shocked that this bloodbath has continued but bosses want a completely new look and fresh start for the show,’ a source told The Sun when claiming hosts Janette Manrara and Fleur East had been shown the door.

‘Nobody feels safe at the moment, but execs are determined to have a complete refresh after all the drama in recent years and create a new era.

‘Just because Fleur and Janette aren’t on It Takes Two that’s not to say they won’t be repurposed elsewhere. Everyone at the BBC is keen to start with a clean slate come September, distancing themselves from damaging incidents from the past.’

Former professional dancer Janette, 42, started hosting It Takes Two in 2021 after eight years on the main show. She is also married to fellow professional dancer Aljaz Skorjanec, 36.

Meanwhile former X Factor star Fleur, 38, was a finalist on Strictly when she competed in 2022 before joining It Takes Two the following the year.

But following the reports of the two hosts also being cut, a BBC spokesperson told Metro: ‘It is factually incorrect to claim that either has been “axed”. Plans for Strictly Come Dancing 2026 will be confirmed in due course.’

However, Metro understands no decisions on the hosting of the show into the future have been made yet.

The BBC is also yet to confirm who will be hosting the main show after the exit of Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly last year.

In December the duo announced they were leaving the show together after two decades, explaining it ‘felt like the right time’.

Speculation has been rife for months about who will step into their shoes, with some names in the mix including Alex Jones, Zoe Ball, Rylan Clark, Alison Hammond, Angela Scanlon, Emma Willis, and even Fleur too.

After initially appearing on a shortlist to take over, Holly Willoughby, Amanda Holden, and Alan Carr have already ruled themselves out.

On Saturday Karen announced she would not be back for the 2026 season. In a video shared on social media, she praised the programme for ‘changing [her] life’ and giving her ‘the privilege of meeting so many incredible people and brilliant celebrity partners who have become close friends’.

She started her video: ‘Hey everyone, I’ve got something to tell you. It’s a tough one, but here we go.

‘After 14 years on Strictly Come Dancing, I’ve decided this is the right time for me to close this chapter and take on new projects in other areas that I’m passionate about.’

Insiders have previously said executives want a ‘shake-up’ and a ‘fresh start’ after numerous scandals and negative press surrounding bullying investigations, drug use probes, and more.

‘There are major changes taking place, with dancers having meetings about their contracts over the next few weeks,’ a source has previously said.

‘Bosses want a fresh start and to bring in new faces after all the drama in recent years and create a new era.’

Metro has contacted representatives for Janette Manrara and Fleur East for comment.

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