Fleur East has reportedly been left devastated after being axed from her role on Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two, as the BBC show undergoes a major makeover this year
Fleur East has been axed by Strictly Come Dancing, it has been reported tonight. Fleur, who found fame on The X Factor, hosted the alongside former Strictly professional Janette Manrara, who has also been let go.
As the show undergoes a huge shake-up in the wake of several scandals and the departure of hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, bosses are thought to be completely revamping what familiar territory looks like for viewers.
Fleur, 38, had also auditioned for the presenting roles but wasn’t selected. Instead, bosses made the decision to sign Emma Willis and Josh Widdicombe, alongside Strictly pro Johannes Radebe, who will make their debut when the show returns later this year.
However, the news is said to have devastated Fleur, who has been on It Takes Two since 2023, a year after she participated on the main show as a contestant, finishing in second place with professional dancer, Vito Coppola.
“Fleur has kept the news on the lowdown for as long as she could, only telling her close friends,” a source said. They added to The Sun: “She’s still in denial about it and was really upset by the decision. But it wasn’t personal.”
Speaking about not being selected as a main presenter, Fleur told her Hits Radio Breakfast Show co-stars James Barr and Will Best last month: “I did say initially, after Tess and Claudia announced they were leaving Strictly you know, it’s probably not going to happen [for me] and I’m happy for whoever gets it.
“And we were just talking about Emma Willis being announced and I was like, ‘Yeah, great, amazing’ and I’ve kind of lied to myself that I’d be all right with not doing it or not being considered for the job. But I’m kind of bothered…
“I think it’s ok to admit that. I think it’s ok to admit that being faced with the opportunity of such an incredible job. I mean, it’s an amazing show. I’ve not only had the privilege and pleasure of being on it, but then also hosting It Takes Two and being part of the family, it’s been an incredible job to be a part of.”
She continued: “So, when you’re within touching distance of something like that, and even considering it for a minute, I never allowed myself to really go fully there, but I did think about it. I was like, that would be amazing.”
A spokesperson for the BBC told the Mirror that plans for Strictly “will be announced in due course”. While a return date is yet to be confirmed, bosses have revealed several famous faces who will be swapping their day jobs for the dancefloor.
Taking to the floor will be Chris Appleton, best known as the hairdresser to stars including Kim Kardashian, Britney Spears and Jennifer Lopez. Also, dancing will be EastEnders icon Lacey Turner, Love Island winner Dani Dyer and singer Delta Goodrem.
The Mirror has approached Fleur’s spokesperson for comment.
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