Strictly Come Dancing reportedly has a savage new way of "picking" which dancers will remain on the programme, following reports several professional dancers from the series have been axed ahead of the new series later this year.
An insider has claimed the BBC dancing competition is using the professional dancers' following on TikTok as a way to decide who will remain on the show. Those with fewer followers risk being axed as the show tries to bring in a younger audience.
A source told The Sun: "Strictly is always looking for ways to increase its audience in terms of volume, but also in terms of attracting new, young viewers.
“Social media is a massive part of broadening that appeal, and TikTok is the perfect medium for a show where music and dance is at the forefront.
“They won’t simply lose someone from the line up because they aren’t big on TikTok, but it might just be the thing that saves them from exiting the line-up.”
In the last few weeks professional dancers Nadiya Bychkova, Luba Mushtuk, Michelle Tsiakkas and Gorka Marquez were all reportedly being axed from the show. Nadiya and Michelle both have just under 20k followers on TikTok, meanwhile Luba and Gorka don't have a TikTok accounts. However, none of these dancers have confirmed they are leaving the series.
It's believed Strictly is looking to appeal to a younger audience with their future seasons. In the last few years they've seen a number of content creators including Joe Sugg, Tilly Ramsay and last year's finalist George Clarke take part in the show, all of whom have significant gen-z following.
A spokesperson for the BBC declined to comment to Cosmopolitan UK.
Over the weekend Strictly's Karen Hauer, who had also reportedly been axed, shared she was leaving the show after 14 years.
In an emotional video Karen said she had decided to leave as she was, "closing this chapter and taking on new projects in other areas that I’m passionate about."
So far no other dancers have commented on their future on the show. The series is expected to return later this year, with a new set of hosts following Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman's departure from the series.
