Strictly Come Dancing professional, Luba Mushtuk, is the latest star to leave the show after fans have accused the BBC of a ‘bloodbath’ in the wake of several big-name exits
Strictly Come Dancing’s Luba Mushtuk has responded to news of her exit from the show(Image: PA)
Strictly Come Dancing’s Luba Mushtuk has responded to news of her exit from the show. It what has been described as a ‘bloodbath’ at the sequin-strewn series, Luba is the latest famous face to leave the BBC programme after stars including Karen Hauer and Nadiya Bychkova have also left.
Strictly announced Luba’s departure today, offering the star a “heartfelt thank you” as a “much loved member of the Strictly team”. And now, the former assistant choreographer has responded. Taking to Instagram, insisting the time had come for her “step away” from the show, she wrote: “With a heart full of gratitude, the time has come for me to step away from Strictly Come Dancing. I am deeply grateful for the past 10 years on this beautiful show! Thank for you for the amazing opportunities and unforgettable memories. It truly has meant the world to me.”
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Sharing that she was now looking forward to the future, Luba continued: “Now it’s time for me to follow my dreams beyond the show, and I’m excited for what the future holds. I can’t wait to see you all on the Pro Tour and I’m really looking forward to it one last time.”
Responding to her positive post, last year’s winner, Karen Carney, replied: “Thank you for being so kind and supportive to me on the show. It was so great to get to know you and I’m excited for you and your next adventures. Big love Luba.” Meanwhile, Gemma Atkinson, who is engaged to Gorka Marquez, who is also leaving Strictly, wrote: “Exciting times ahead.”
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Praising Luba – while announcing her exit – the BBC said: “We are incredibly grateful for her dedication to the programme and for always going above and beyond—whether through the care and commitment she showed her celebrity partners or her warmth and kindness behind the scenes. Luba has been, and always will be, a much-loved member of the Strictly family, and we wish her every success in the future.”
Fellow dancers were quick to share supportive messages in the comments section. Among them was Amy Dowden, who simply wrote: “Love you xxx.” Johannes Radebe echoed the sentiment, typing: “Love you darling,” alongside a red love heart emoji. And Nadiya, who met the same fate as Luba in recent days, shared three white love heart emojis.
While she will no longer be part of the dancing on screen team, Nadiya has reportedly been offered a chance to stay on the show in a different role. Speaking to The Sun, a source said: “Nadiya is so recognisable with viewers and bosses felt it would be a real loss to lose her from the Strictly family altogether. After a few conversations, they reportedly offered her a choreography role which she is very open to.
“Obviously, she is sad to no longer be dancing but recognises she will have great scope for more lucrative commercial opportunities now, and can explore exciting new projects.”
The Strictly team has already said goodbye to a number of long-time members of the show in recent weeks. Gorka and Michelle Tsiakkas are also said to have been axed in a bid for bosses to get “fresh faces” in the professional line-up.
And the decision of who will present the show following the exit of Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman is yet to be made public, too. Recently, Louie Spence told the Mirror: “With Strictly, people say I should go on there and be a judge just because I’m known as a dancer – but it’s a very different dance genre. Ballroom and Latin is very particular. It’s like the difference between hip-hop and classical ballet…”
Suggesting Rylan and Zoe Ball would make good hosts, he concluded: “Rylan would be great fun [as host]. I love Rylan, he’s got a great personality. He’s young enough to keep going if it’s going to keep going for years.
“Zoe Ball, she’s great. Who knows how many more years a show like that will last? Things are moving so quickly now, with the way things are changing. Whoever gets it, I’m sure they’d be fabulous.”
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