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...
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.
AMY DOWDEN CONFIRMS SHE’S HAD COVID JAB – AFTER THREE PRO DANCERS REFUSE SPARKING PANIC BEHIND THE SCENES
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.
"I was sad because I was trying to put out a positive post that hopefully there is light at the end of the tunnel."
She continued: ";I don’t want to be in the vulnerable category. I didn’t choose to have Crohn’s and I would do anything not to.
"I wanted to hopefully show positivity that more of us are getting vaccinated and hopefully that soon, things can slowly get back to normal.
"Unfortunately, you know, I can’t please everybody."
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.
JAMES JORDAN CALLS FOR STRICTLY PROS WHO REFUSED COVID JAB TO BE SACKED FROM SHOW
Today, The Sun revealed that a third dancer on the BBC show has decided against having the jab – creating further resentment amongst the crew and this year’s celebrities.
Appearing on today’s Good Morning Britain, James was left fuming as he rowed with fellow former pro Kristina Rihanoff about the topic.
Making his position very clear, James said: “I would normally protect the professional dancers until the cows come home but on this particular occasion I can’t unfortunately.
“I definitely believe they don’t deserve their right on the show and the celebrities have every right to refuse to dance with them.”
He went on to explain how people’s immune systems are often weakened doing the show, during normal years.
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.
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.
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.
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.
ROSE AYLIING-ELLIS STRICTLY INCLUSION PRAISED BY DEAF SOCIETY
EastEnders actress Rose Ayling-Ellis was partnered with Giovanni Pernice and is the first deaf contestant to appear on Strictly.
She said: “When the Strictly news came out the response from the deaf community, saying how much it means to them, that was my proudest moment.”
Mark Bolton, the National Deaf Children’s Society’s deputy director of young people, said of her pairing: “It’s so important that deaf children and young people see fantastic deaf role models like Rose on TV, because it reminds them that they’re not alone.
“It also inspires them to believe that there’s no reason why they can’t make it to the very top.”
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.
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.
‘DON’T DATE THOSE DANCERS’
After Tilly’s place in the new series was confirmed last month, proud Gordon made one of his famously unfiltered outbursts.
Referencing the Strictly Curse that has seen the marriages of several celebrity contestants fall apart, Gordon warned his daughter off potential suitors, saying: “Don’t date those dancers.”
Tilly admits she is far from being a natural on the dancefloor, and faces stiff competition from the other contestants including swimmer Adam Peaty, Hollyoaks star Katie McGlynn, and Peep Show actor Robert Webb.
Despite showing off her moves on TikTok — and sometimes roping in her dad — she rates her dancing ability as a “two out of ten”.
Plus, when Tilly’s mum Tana, 47, enrolled her in ballet school as a nipper, she quit after one day to join her older brother Jack in football camp. She says she was also always “at the back” of school productions.
JUDI AND SARA BACKED FOR FIRST STRICTLY ELIMINATION
JUDI LOVE AND SARA DAVIES are the front runners to be axed first from Strictly Come Dancing with Ladbrokes.
Comedian Judi leads the betting as the 7/2 favourite to face the first chop of the series, followed closely behind by Dragons Den star Sara.
Nina is rated as a 5/1 chance, along with Ugo (6/1), Greg (7/1) and Tilly (8/1) next in line.
Jessica O’Reilly of Ladbrokes said: “Since Judi and Sara were announced as Strictly contestants they’ve received the least amount of bets to win, and now have the largest number of wagers to leave first unfortunately.”
BEN COHEN’S EX-WIFE ABBY PREDICTS STRICTLY CURSE WILL STRIKE AGAIN
The photographer and former rugby star Ben split in 2014 after 11 years of marriage – just months after he was partnered with professional dancer Kristina Rihanoff on the BBC One show.
They share twin daughters Harriette and Isabelle, 12, while Ben welcomed a third child, Mila, with Kristina in 2016.
Ex-England winger Ben has always insisted his relationship with Kristina started after their split.
And now as the new season of the BBC ballroom favourite begins, Abby has claimed that the Strictly curse will hit this series.
Speaking in new! magazine, she said: “While I won’t be watching Strictly, I have read about who’s taking part and quietly wonder who will suffer this years, when the so-called ‘curse’ strikes.
“I will understand their agony and I want to reassure them that it may be torture – but they are stronger than they think. I was.”
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.”
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.
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.
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!’
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.
PICTURED – THE TWO FEMALE PRO DANCERS THAT HAVE BEEN DITCHED FROM THE LINE-UP
FANS HEAP PRAISE ON GORKA MARQUEZ AFTER SPOTTING SWEET GESTURE TO ROSE AYLING-ELLIS
The 26-year-old EastEnders actress made history in last night’s launch as the first ever deaf star to take to the ballroom.
Rose has an interpreter, who will remain off-camera while translating what is being said throughout the show into British Sign Language for her.
However, professional dancer Gorka decided to learn some BSL himself so that he can appropriately communicate with the actress – and eagle-eyed viewers noticed his efforts.
As Rose spoke to host Tess Daly about how honoured she is to be representing the deaf community on the hit show, the studio audience – including the pro dancers and their partners – erupted into applause.
But while everyone else clapped and whooped in the traditional sense, Gorka gestured with his hands and arms from his spot in the audience – the official sign language for applause.
GREG WISE’S DAUGHTER GAIA SAYS DAD ‘HAS SIX PACK AND WILL TAKE HIS TOP OFF’ IF NEEDED
Meanwhile, the couple’s daughter Gaia, 21, added that her dad would be prepared to perform shirtless because he has a six-pack.
At the Icon Ball for London Fashion Week on Friday night, she said: “He has a six-pack and will take his top off if he is needed to.”
Greg has asked for advice from last year’s winner, Bill Bailey, 56.
He said: “Bill was very useful. One of the things he told me is to get my patent leather ballroom shoes ready and wear them around the house.
“He had a problem with blisters on his heel over the run.”
STRICTLY STAR JOHN WHAITE’S INCREDIBLE TRANSFORMATION FROM SCRUFFY STUDENT TO BAKE OFF WINNER TO DISCO HUNK
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.”
