Strictly Come Dancing pro Nancy Xu admits fear she won’t return to BBC show this year

Strictly Come Dancing star Nancy Xu has revealed her fears of not being back on the BBC dance competition this year amid reports of a huge shakeup to the cast

Professional dancer Nancy Xu has revealed her fears she won't be included in the Strictly Come Dancing cast this year.

Nancy took part in the latest series of the hit BBC dance competition as she was partnered with Shayne Ward. They became the seventh couple to be eliminated as they lost the dance off to Wynne Evans and Katya Jones. She struggled to hold back her emotions at leaving the competition, with many fans insisting Nancy and Shayne should have stayed.

The professional dancer joined Strictly in 2019 but did not have a celebrity partner. She returned the following year and still didn't have a partner yet in 2021 she was paired up with CBBC presenter Rhys Stephenson. They made it to the semi-finals and the next year, Nancy finished in fifth place with actor Will Mellor.

Nancy didn't have as much luck in 2023 as she became the first to be eliminated from the competition with comedian and actor Les Dennis. She is now heading out on the Strictly Come Dancing Live tour with Shayne and fellow pros and celebrities. Speaking to the Mirror, Nancy revealed her hopes of returning to the show later this year.

She told us: "I am waiting for the call. Basically all of us are waiting for the call. We will find out soon. I hope so." Upon her exit from the show, which Shirley Ballas had the deciding vote on, Nancy said: "I'm beyond proud of this dance partnership. Shayne from week one until this point, every second you put your feet on the dancefloor you improved yourself.

"You're a deep thinker, you always doubt yourself, you never believed yourself, but I never ever questioned you. When I watch you, I feel proud because I've turned someone who has never ever danced in their life into an amazing dancer. You should believe in yourself. I adored this partnership."

The Strictly professionals have faced reports of a huge shakeup to the lineup with the likes of Neil Jones, Gorka Marquez and Katya Jones facing the axe. Johannes Radebe is also expected to leave this year, but of his own accord. It has been reported up to five of the show's main stars are facing being axed. With many of the more senior dancers being eliminated early in the latest contest, it's thought their time could soon be up.

It comes with the current crop of newer dancers wowed audiences and won over fans online. This has included Vito Coppola, who has danced with Sarah Hadland, and Jowita Przystal, who has impressed alongside Pete Wicks. Katya has now broken silence on returning for another series of the hit BBC show. She exclusively told The Mirror: "Am I hoping to be back? Well this year would be my 10th on Strictly so I am hoping for a round number."

Strictly Come Dancing Live Tour opens in Birmingham on Friday 17th January for the first night of 30 shows across the UK

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