Strictly set for major shakeup with five fan-favourite dancers getting the ‘axe’

This year has been one of the most difficult in Strictly Come Dancing’s long history and BBC bosses are reportedly ready for a shakeup.

In an attempt to breathe new life into the dance competition means bringing in a fresh batch of professionals — and ‘axing’ established stars.

After the Giovanni Pernice drama, plans to overhaul the show have been sped up with huge names like Katya Jones and Nadiya Bychkova said to be on the chopping block.

Katya is currently dancing with Wynne Evans on this series, however, the singer was accused of groping his dance partner, causing bosses more headaches.

According to The Sun, Neil Jones, Karen Hauer, and Gorka Marquez are all in the line of fire, worsened by poor performances this season.

This is on top of reports that fan favourite Johannes Radebe, paired with Montell Douglas, is planning to exit after this season.

Other than Katya, all of the professionals were voted out of the competition by this year’s midpoint — which is said to be a factor in the lineup decisions.

The insider claimed the review is an attempt to make a fresh start, stating: ‘The feeling is that the Strictly troupe is made up of some fading stars, while others are rising stars.

‘And in many cases, there are certain characters whose shoes can easily be filled with younger, up-and-coming counterparts.’

They added: ‘It’s harsh but it’s just part of the traditional turnover of showbusiness. It couldn’t have come at a worse time for [the dancers], because Strictly bosses feel they need to make some major changes, even if that means big names leaving.’

Other than Katya, the rumoured names have all already left the competition — although this could be linked to the tendency to pair more established dancers with celebs who need more support.

Katya is also the only one of the five to have lifted the Glitterball trophy, having won in 2017 with Hollyoaks’ Joe McFadden.

Nadiya was the first to be sent home this series, having been paired with Olympian Tom Dean who said their exit came as a ‘massive shock’.

They faced off against Toyah Willcox and Neil in the dance-off, only for that duo to be eliminated the following week.

Karen — who is the longest-serving dancer on the show — and her partner Paul Merson went home in week four while Dr Punam Krishan and Gorka were knocked out in week five.

Meanwhile, a source told The Sun that Johannes is ‘hugely loved on the show and there isn’t an atom of bad feeling about him leaving.

‘Of course, bosses will probably try to find a way to bring him back at some point and he would no doubt consider returning.

‘But for now, he just has too much to juggle alongside the contest. It isn’t just the announced projects that he’s working on, there are other opportunities in the pipeline too, which he can now explore further.’

This season has unravelled against a backdrop of allegations of unsavoury behaviour levied at Giovanni by Amanda Abbington, who quit Strictly last year after five weeks.

The broadcaster recently released its findings of a months-long investigation into his conduct on the programme and issued an apology to Sherlock actress Abbington, 53.

Some of her complaints were upheld but the BBC cleared the Italian pro dancer of the most serious allegations.