Strictly Come Dancing 2021 LIVE – Three pro-dancers AXED from final lineup after failing to land a celeb partner
THREE Strictly pro dancers have been axed from the show after failing to secure celebrity partners it has been claimed.
Luba Mushtuk, Jowita Prytzal and Cameron Lombard were the only pros who weren't matched with a celeb star this year, the Mirror claims.
The three will now have to make do with being reserves on the BBC One entertainment show.
The news comes as The Sun revealed three pros had snubbed vaccinations - leaving some celeb contestants reluctant to be paired with them.
Follow our Strictly Come Dancing live blog for all the latest updates...
DAN REVEALS CLOSE BOND WITH HEAD JUDGE SHIRLEY BALLAS DURING STRICTLY LAUNCH SHOW
Dan revealed their close bond at the launch of the new Strictly series this weekend as he “looked forward to seeing” Shirley again.
“We had some great conversations on that trip. I really got to know her well. I’m looking forward to seeing her,” he explained.
“We’ve had a few Kilimanjaro reunions. She’s great, talented and knows what she is talking about.”
MAN WHO LOST FAMILY TO COVID CONDEMNS ANTI-VAX STRICTLY PROS
A SON who lost both parents and his brother to Covid last night told the three anti-vax Strictly dancers: “Not having the jab is dangerous and killing people.”
Francis Goncalves lost his brother, Shaul, 40, dad Basil, 70 and mum Charmagne, 65, within a week after they caught the virus at a family dinner.
His family had refused to be jabbed after becoming terrified by anti-vaxxer propaganda and conspiracy theorists.
Francis, 43, slammed the Strictly dancers’ decision.
He blasted: “It’s so damaging when you have people who can influence millions of people who are taking this stance.
“They’re making decisions without looking at the facts.
STRICTLY STAR BEN COHEN’S EX WIFE ABBY SAYS SHE REGRETS CALLING KRISTINA RIHANOFF ‘A F**KING RUSSIAN DANCER’
The mother-of-two’s life came crashing down when former rugby player Ben left her for his dancing partner Kristina Rihanoff.
Abby, 42, and Ben were still very much a married couple when he was paired up with Russian dancer Kristina on the BBC show back in 2013.
But the former rugby pro left her for the professional ballroom star – with their divorce finalised in 2016.
At the time, Abby lashed out at Strictly favourite Kristina, 43, calling her a “f**king Russian dancer” as she battled her heartbreak.
But now the mother-of-two, who shares daughter Harriette with Ben, has revealed she regrets losing her temper at the time of the break-up.
Abby told : “At the time of the break-up, when hugely stressed, I once angrily referred to Ben’s partner as a ‘f***ing Russian dancer’ to a journalist hassling me. I regret that now.”
She went on: “I’m happier in my own skin and I’m not that broken girl who used to be married to a famous rugby player.”
PICK UP YOUR FREE TV MAG STRICTLY SPECIAL IN THE SUN THIS SATURDAY
While fans had their appetites whet last weekend with the launch show – which confirmed this year’s pairings – Saturday night will see the celebrities perform live for the first time.
To get you up to speed on all the celebrities taking part this year, The Sun’s TV Mag is bringing you a free Strictly Special this Saturday, September 25.
As well as an exclusive shoot with this year’s batch of celebrities, the issue will feature exclusive chats with some of the stars taking part.
TOM FLETCHER COLLAPSES ON THE FLOOR FROM EXHAUSTION AFTER HARD DAY OF REHEARSALS
The McFly star, 36, looked shattered after a hard day of training with professional dance partner Amy Dowden.
The popstar shared a sweaty snap after the first day of dance rehearsals, as he slumped on the floor.
Tom is clearly putting in the extra hours to perfect his ballroom moves after the launch show on Saturday.
Pro dancer Amy also shared a montage of snaps of Tom passed out on the floor.
She hilariously wrote: “Believe it or not we actually have no floor choreography.”
It comes after Tom’s wife Giovanna posed for a selfie with his dance partner Amy.
FORMER DANCER SAYS BBC SHOULD’VE CHECKED IF DANCERS WERE JABBED
Former Strictly dancer Kristina Rihanoff also said the BBC should have checked if the pros had been double jabbed.
She stated: “They should have checked everyone’s vaccination status and they probably knew there was going to be an issue with something like this on the show.
“So all of the celebrities and all of the professionals should have been chosen if they actually had a double vaccine.”
WHAT IS CRAIG REVEL HORWOOD’S NET WORTH?
Craig earns £110,000 for each series of Strictly.
His estimated yearly earnings are £300,000, which includes theatre work and starring in panto.
Craig has two houses, each worth £1 million.
BORIS TELLS VACCINE REFUSENIKS TO GET JABBED
BORIS Johnson has told Strictly’s vaccine-dodging dancers to get jabbed now.
The PM waded into the row today after The Sun revealed that three of the show’s pros are refusing their shots.
BBC One’s flagship entertainment programme has been plunged into crisis by the rumbaing refuseniks – with celebs queasy about pairing with them.
Asked about Strictly’s woes at the UN in New York Mr Johnson told GB News: “Everyone should take their jabs and I’m saying that not in a hectoring or bullying way, but just because I think it’s a great thing to do.”
Dancers don’t have to disclose their vaccine status and bosses are forbidden from asking if they’ve been inoculated.
THE DISEASE BATTLE THAT MEANS AMY IS VULNERABLE TO COVID
Amy, who is Welsh, was diagnosed with Crohn’s at the age of 19.
Despite her formal diagnosis in her late teens, Amy had suffered from the disease since the age of 11, being admitted to the hospital on hundreds of occasions in her youth.
People with the disease can experience abdominal pain, vomiting, exhaustion and bloody diarrhoea, among other symptoms.
STRICTLY’S UGO BREAKS UP WITH WIFE DAYS BEFORE SHOW EVEN BEGINS
STRICTLY Come Dancing contender Ugo Monye has separated from his wife just days before the new series kicks off.
But brave Ugo, 38, refuses to pull out of the hit BBC1 dance show.
Determined not to be tagged with the infamous “Strictly curse”, Ugo and Lucy, 32, his wife of five years, decided to go public with their split before Ugo filmed the pre-recorded launch show today.
Ugo said: “It’s been hard. At times things have seemed a bit overwhelming but it’s been a tough period for us both. In some relationships there is a moment, a ‘thing’, that breaks the couple.
“It can be an exterior influence. It can be anything. But with us it was a number of things. We weren’t in a volatile relationship, we never hated each other and there was no third party. Forget the Strictly curse — it’s the Covid curse! We ended up where we ended up.
WHEN IS STRICTLY COME DANCING ON TV NEXT?
Hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman will present their first live show of the series on Saturday, September 25 from 7pm.
The 140-minutes episode will see 15 new celebrity contestants and their professional partners perform their first dancing routine.
They include Olympian , rugby star and TV presenter .
Also competing is EastEnders actress Nina Wadia, TV presenter AJ Odudu, Dragons’ Den investor , McFly star , Coronation Street actress Katie McGlynn, TV presenter , comedian CBBC host Rhys Stephenson and actor Greg Wise.
EastEnders actress is also be the first deaf contestant to appear in the series.
They’re being judged by Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Shirley Ballas and former pro dancer Anton Du Beke, who replaces Bruno Tonioli on this year’s panel.
STRICTLY STAR BEN COHEN’S EX WIFE ABBY SAYS SHE REGRETS CALLING KRISTINA RIHANOFF ‘A F**KING RUSSIAN DANCER’
The mother-of-two’s life came crashing down when former rugby player Ben left her for his dancing partner Kristina Rihanoff.
Abby, 42, and Ben were still very much a married couple when he was paired up with Russian dancer Kristina on the BBC show back in 2013.
But the former rugby pro left her for the professional ballroom star – with their divorce finalised in 2016.
At the time, Abby lashed out at Strictly favourite Kristina, 43, calling her a “f**king Russian dancer” as she battled her heartbreak.
But now the mother-of-two, who shares daughter Harriette with Ben, has revealed she regrets losing her temper at the time of the break-up.
Abby told : “At the time of the break-up, when hugely stressed, I once angrily referred to Ben’s partner as a ‘f***ing Russian dancer’ to a journalist hassling me. I regret that now.”
She went on: “I’m happier in my own skin and I’m not that broken girl who used to be married to a famous rugby player.”
JOHN WHAITE SAYS HE CRIED DURING STRICTLY TRAINING
John Whaite says he has cried during training for Strictly Come Dancing.
The Great British Bake Off star, who will make history as part of the first all-male couple in the show’s history, said he is “living his best life” during training for the show but has found some moments challenging.
The chef will be paired with Johannes Radebe for the upcoming series, following in the footsteps of Nicola Adams and Katya Jones, who were the first same-sex couple to appear on the show last year.
He told Channel 4’s Steph’s Packed Lunch: “Sometimes the days are stressful and we have to take a few more breaks.
“Last week when we were learning the steps, I was getting really stressed… I glaze over.
“I reach mental saturation and he has to either feed me Haribo or send me home and I think it’s easier just to put me in cab and send me home.”
FANS CLAIM TILLY RAMSAY HAS A CRUSH ON HUNKY DANCE PARTNER NIKITA AS ‘SPARKS FLY’ ON LAUNCH SHOW
The TikTok star, 19, was delighted to land new pro Nikita, 23, and immediately viewers picked up on the chemistry between them.
One wrote on Twitter: “Tilly and Nikita really do look like boyfriend and girlfriend.”
Another posted: “Surely Tilly Ramsay and her partner will end up a couple! They even look like each other.”
The pair will kick off their debut show with a waltz, which was the dance Tilly was most excited to perform.
Ahead of the pairing, Tilly said: “I’m going to need them to be relatively patient. Someone that’s going to have fun and enjoy it with me.”
Her celebrity chef dad Gordon Ramsay berated Nikita over FaceTime in an awkward introduction.
Gordon, who is famed for his cutting insults in the kitchen, said over the video call: “Congratulations – and good luck to you both.
He then added: “Nikita, can you do your shirt up? It’s a bit low.”
RECAP: WHAT HAPPENED DURING SATURDAY’S LAUNCH SHOW?
The 15 celebrities officially revealed their dance partners for this year’s show as part of a glittering launch show on Saturday.
Other key moments from the launch episode included:
- Anton Du Beke making his debut as a full-time judge and receive a standing ovation from the studio audience.
- Last year’s winners Bill Bailey and Mabuse revisited their routine to Rapper’s Delight by the Sugarhill Gang
- Anne-Marie performed her single Kiss My (Uh-Oh)
- Celebs danced on the ballroom floor with their partners for the first time to perform a group number
- LIVE shows to begin from next Saturday, September 25.
GREG WISE REVEALS ‘INJURY’ – BUT IS SHUT DOWN BY DANCING PARTNER
STRICTLY star Greg Wise was tonight slapped down as “dramatic” by his professional dance partner on live TV.
The actor revealed he’d had an injury in rehearsal – but was quickly put in his place by Karen Hauer.
He then went on to tell BBC viewers about sustaining an injury as he prepared for his debut dance.
“I popped my calf this morning,” said Greg before he was shut down by Karen.
She said: “Oh, dramatic.”
Greg laughed, admitting: “I am so dramatic.”
STRICTLY STAR IS UNRECOGNISABLE WITH LONG HAIR AS HE PERFORMS IN ROCK OF AGES
The former Strictly star, 38, wowed wearing a long wig, cowboy hat and lashing of eyeliner as he rocked out at Trafalgar Square for part of West End Live over the weekend.
The dancing champ is currently touring the UK playing Stacee Jaxx in a part that sees him show off his singing skills as well as his moves.
Kevin previously sported a similar look in real life and one revealed the BBC were not too keen on his goth look when he first auditioned for the show.
Kevin also admitted it took him three tries to be hired by Strictly bosses — while his then wife and dance partner Karen Hauer was signed up at her first attempt in 2012.
He said: “I had long black hair, eyeliner, black fingernails — ‘Don’t think I’m your average ballroom dancer, guys!’
WHEN IS STRICTLY COME DANCING ON TV NEXT?
Hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman will present their first live show of the series on Saturday, September 25 from 7pm.
The 140-minutes episode will see 15 new celebrity contestants and their professional partners perform their first dancing routine.
They include Olympian , rugby star and TV presenter .
Also competing is EastEnders actress Nina Wadia, TV presenter AJ Odudu, Dragons’ Den investor , McFly star , Coronation Street actress Katie McGlynn, TV presenter , comedian CBBC host Rhys Stephenson and actor Greg Wise.
EastEnders actress is also be the first deaf contestant to appear in the series.
They’re being judged by Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Shirley Ballas and former pro dancer Anton Du Beke, who replaces Bruno Tonioli on this year’s panel.
THE DISEASE BATTLE THAT MEANS AMY IS VULNERABLE TO COVID
Amy, who is Welsh, was diagnosed with Crohn’s at the age of 19.
Despite her formal diagnosis in her late teens, Amy had suffered from the disease since the age of 11, being admitted to the hospital on hundreds of occasions in her youth.
People with the disease can experience abdominal pain, vomiting, exhaustion and bloody diarrhoea, among other symptoms.
PICK UP YOUR FREE TV MAG STRICTLY SPECIAL IN THE SUN THIS SATURDAY
While fans had their appetites whet last weekend with the launch show – which confirmed this year’s pairings – Saturday night will see the celebrities perform live for the first time.
To get you up to speed on all the celebrities taking part this year, The Sun’s TV Mag is bringing you a free Strictly Special this Saturday, September 25.
As well as an exclusive shoot with this year’s batch of celebrities, the issue will feature exclusive chats with some of the stars taking part.
WHAT'S MY NAME?
STRICTLY star Adam Peaty revealed dance partner Katya Jones' 'real' name during a gruelling practice session.
The Russian pro, 32, was putting the Olympic swimmer, 26, through his paces in the studio when she asked him: "What's my name, Adam?"
Right on cue, he shouted: "Katushka"
Smiling at the camera, she then said: "That's damn right."
The 2017 Glitterball champ's birth name is actually Ekaterina Andreevna Sokolova.
She changed her surname after marrying fellow show professional Neil Jones in 2013. The couple split six years later.
Read more here
PRO JAB
STRICTLY Come Dancing star Amy Dowden has spoken openly about having her Covid vaccinations ahead of the current series.
The 31-year-old, who is paired with Tom Fletcher, suffers from Crohn’s Disease so is considered clinically vulnerable and was offered her jab early on.
The news comes after The Sun revealed that three of her fellow pros have refused to have the injection, sparking panic behind the scenes.
Pro dancer Amy had her first one back in February, but was unfortunately targeted by cruel trolls who demanded to know why she had it early despite her debilitating disease.
Speaking on Morning Live about the abuse she had received, Amy said: “I guess if you are going to put a post like that out you are going to get some political views.
JOHN WHAITE SAYS HE CRIED DURING STRICTLY TRAINING
John Whaite says he has cried during training for Strictly Come Dancing.
The Great British Bake Off star, who will make history as part of the first all-male couple in the show’s history, said he is “living his best life” during training for the show but has found some moments challenging.
The chef will be paired with Johannes Radebe for the upcoming series, following in the footsteps of Nicola Adams and Katya Jones, who were the first same-sex couple to appear on the show last year.
He told Channel 4’s Steph’s Packed Lunch: “Sometimes the days are stressful and we have to take a few more breaks.
“Last week when we were learning the steps, I was getting really stressed… I glaze over.
“I reach mental saturation and he has to either feed me Haribo or send me home and I think it’s easier just to put me in cab and send me home.”
BORIS TELLS VACCINE REFUSENIKS TO GET JABBED
BORIS Johnson has told Strictly’s vaccine-dodging dancers to get jabbed now.
The PM waded into the row today after The Sun revealed that three of the show’s pros are refusing their shots.
BBC One’s flagship entertainment programme has been plunged into crisis by the rumbaing refuseniks – with celebs queasy about pairing with them.
Asked about Strictly’s woes at the UN in New York Mr Johnson told GB News: “Everyone should take their jabs and I’m saying that not in a hectoring or bullying way, but just because I think it’s a great thing to do.”
Dancers don’t have to disclose their vaccine status and bosses are forbidden from asking if they’ve been inoculated.
CRAIG REVEL HORWOOD ADMITS HE HAS TO WATCH WHAT HE SAYS FOR FEAR OF BEING ‘CANCELLED’
The acid-tongued judge is infamous for his scathing putdowns. But last year viewers noticed he had cut back on insults.
Craig, 56, said that since Strictly started 17 years ago, the world had become a duller place because everyone is scared of offending snowflakes.
He said: “There is not as much freedom of speech as we used to have, with the fear of offending certain groups.
“We live in a very homogenised world now — I think speeches in ten years won’t be allowed any opinion as you will be offending someone.
“I think you have just always got to be aware really. I never go on to speak ill of anyone.”
Craig returned as a judge on Saturday’s launch show alongside head judge Shirley Ballas, 61, Motsi Mabuse, 40, and Anton Du Beke, 55.
He admits he started to tone down his “Mr Nasty” persona last year, with no Strictly studio audience egging him on.