Strictly's Michelle Tsiakkas confirms she's been axed from the show in cast bloodbath after bosses' brutal strategy to cull the lineup was revealed

Strictly Come Dancing professional Michelle Tsiakkas has confirmed she's been axed from the show after a string of pros were dropped in a cast bloodbath.

Fans have been left stunned in recent weeks as favourites Karen Hauer, 43, Nadiya Bychkova, 36, Michelle, 30, Luba Mushtuk, 36, and Gorka Marquez, 35, have all been given the boot.

Sources claimed on Monday that bosses have chosen to keep pros with a bigger online following in a desperate bid to draw in younger viewers.

And Michelle herself spoke about her axe from the first time as she was filmed leaving a class she'd taught at Oti Mabuse's dance studio.

As she was greeted by photographers outside the London venue, one embraced her before saying: 'Gutted for you, gutted. It's shocking, heartbreaking.'

Michelle replied: 'It is what it is,' before adding: 'Thanks for the support.'

After learning her contract on the show would not be renewed, Michelle quit the professionals live tour.

It comes after sources claimed that Strictly bosses judge some pros' following on TikTok when decided which stars would be axed in the show's mass cull.

Fans have been left stunned in recent weeks as favourites Karen Hauer, 43, Nadiya Bychkova, 36, Michelle Tsiakkas, 30, Luba Mushtuk, 36, and Gorka Marquez, 35, have all been given the boot.

Now its been claimed those with bigger online followings have been chosen over dancers who are not so TikTok friendly as the series tries desperately to attract a younger audience. 

One example appears to be axed Nadiya who boasts 19,000 followers, while Dianne Buswell, also 36, with 966,000 followers has kept her place in the line-up.

Karen, who was Strictly's longest-serving female dancer, is a similar story with her 9,000 followers while safe newcomer Alexis Warr, 25, has a whopping 190,000.

A source said: 'Strictly is always looking for ways to increase its audience in terms of volume, but also in terms of attracting new, young viewers.

They told The Sun: '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.'

It comes after dancer Karen branded her axing from the show 'stressful and emotional'.

Over the weekend, she attended the LitPet's Sunday Dog Social, held at the luxurious 180 House on London's Strand, alongside her pup Marley, one of her four rescue dogs, whom she frequently shares on social media. 

Speaking at the event about her heartbreaking career overhaul, she said: 'It's been a terribly stressful and emotional time and my four dogs have really helped me get through it. What's just happened is part of life and the stresses that go with it.'

Karen spoke about how her emotions impact the pups, saying: 'My dogs really feel it when I'm stressed and they have really helped me get through this.'

Meanwhile Fleur East and Janette Manrara have also reportedly been axed from Strictly Come Dancing's spin-off It Takes Two. 

Insiders say bosses are plotting a major revamp of the BBC Two weeknight show in the wake of a string of scandals that have rocked the franchise.

Former Strictly pro Janette, 42, took over hosting duties in 2021 after eight years on the main show, while pop star Fleur, 38, joined the line-up in 2023 after reaching the final the year before.

But now both stars are said to be in the firing line as executives push for a bold new direction.

'Fans will be stunned that this bloodbath is continuing, but bosses are determined to overhaul the show completely,' an industry source told The Sun.

'Nobody feels safe right now and there's a real drive behind the scenes to usher in a fresh era after all the recent drama.

'But the priority is a clean slate by September and putting distance between the show and the controversies of recent years.'

The source added actions taken by BBC bosses do not mean Janette and Fleur 'are out of the picture entirely' and that there could be other roles for them 'elsewhere'.

Sources suggest bosses are aiming for an entirely fresh start following years of criticism and controversy surrounding the professional dancers.

Elsewhere, Neil Jones, 43, who has rarely had a celebrity dance partner on the show, will also go without one this year, as will Nancy Xu, 34.

It's believed they may still appear in the big group dance numbers.