Strictly Come Dancing professional Nancy Xu has spoken out after BBC bosses left her without a celebrity partner this year.
The Chinese dancer has confessed that she is upset that the Strictly decision makers have ‘overlooked her hard work and dedication’ since she joined the show in 2019.
On Tuesday night Nancy shared a defiant sketch featuring a voiceover asking if she was okay, as she showed herself nodding furiously then pulling a series of sad poses.
But then the 34-year-old spoke directly to her 76,000 followers, where she described her disappointment, breaking ranks from the show’s party line to admit she feels ‘left out.’
‘Thank you so much for all your kind and supportive messages that I’ve been receiving in the past few days,’ Nancy said. ‘I am ok, as you all know now, I don’t have a dance partner, on Strictly Come Dancing this year.’
‘In the very beginning when I just received the messages it does upset me and I do feel disappointed, coming from China and arriving in this country, all I wanted is to achieve my dream and Strictly has given me such a big platform to allow me to show my skills and to show my talents, so of course this year, I feel, left out.
Strictly Come dancing professional Nancy Xu has voiced her disappointment that BBC bosses have left her without a celebrity partner this year
The Chinese dancer has confessed that she is upset that the Strictly decision makers have overlooked her hard work and dedication, since she joined the show in 2019 (pictured with Shayne Ward in 2024)
She insisted that she will remain a part of the show and will be in the studio every weekend to cheer on her fellow pros.
‘I’m good, because I’m still part of the show and this year you’ll probably hear my voice more than ever, because I’ll give all my energies to support all my strictly families.’
She signed off with the BBC show’s catchphrase: ‘Keeeep dancing.’
The candid post was flooded with comments from Nancy’s fans and her Strictly co-stars with fellow pro Vito Coppola writing: ‘You are never alone, we are always together. Thank you for supporting us and for being the rarest friend that everyone would want in their life.’
Amy Dowden added: ‘your are superstar, a beautiful dancer and so loved.’
One fan of the show voiced their frustration that bosses had paired two new professional dancers, Alexis Warr and Julian Caillon, with partners, but left out veterans like Nanxy.
‘I could understand if there was too many pros to celebs..that some pros might miss out on partners but to bring two new pros in but leave old pros out is just not on in my books, especially if it wasn’t your decision,’ read the comment.
With an excess of pros, each year Strictly benches some of its professional line up. Alongside Nancy, this year Luba Mushtuk, Neil Jones and Michelle Tsiakkas have all missed out.
The 34-year-old spoke directly to her 76 K followers, where she described her disappointment, in what amounts to an unprecedented moment of honesty from within the Strictly machine
Meanwhile Gorka Marquez, who has been dancing on the show since 2016 confirmed ahead of the new series that he wouldn’t be competing this year, as he juggles work as a judge on the Spanish version of Strictly with his UK role.
Neil, who also missed out on a partner in 2022 and 2023, made light of his benching, sharing a funny video on Instagram as he insisted It’s all jokes and giggle and no matter with or without a partner I just love being part of Strictly.’
Strictly sources suggest that Nancy was furious after Gladiator star Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, with whom she was partnered with for the Christmas special, has been paired off with Karen Hauer.
An insider told the Sun that Nancy is concerned that there are forces working against her.
The source said: ‘Nancy is upset that she’s been benched again – despite having a brilliant run with Harry during the Christmas series.
‘It’s not the first time it’s happened and she’s said she thinks there may be some kind of deeper issue she’s not aware of. She was paired with Jamie Borthwick for the Christmas special in 2023 which they won, and when he joined the man series last year he was put together with Michelle Tsiakkas.
Strictly sources suggest that Nancy was furious after Gladiator star Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, with whom she was partnered with for the Christmas special, has been paired off with Karen Hauer
Neil Jones, who also missed out on a partner in 2022 and 2023, made light of his latest benching, sharing a funny video on Instagram as he insisted It’s all jokes and giggles’
Insiders add that Nancy understands that she can’t be dancing with the same partner because they’d have an advantage but she can’t work out why she’s not getting a celebrity.
‘She is absolutely incensed by it all and has said she can’t work out what she’s done to make producers snub her – especially because she did so well with Shayne Ward last year.’
Indeed it seems that the Chinese dance sensation has refused to hide her true feelings backstage
Nancy competed with pop star Shayne Ward, 40, last year. They were the seventh couple to be eliminated from the competition.
Strictly was plunged into turmoil on Tuesday night as one of its biggest stars was forced to quit after sustaining a serious injury while training.
Former Love Island contestant Dani Dyer, 29, was left ‘heartbroken’ as she had to pull out of the dance competition after fracturing her ankle during rehearsals.
Dani confirmed the news after the Daily Mail broke the story and said: ‘I had a fall on Friday in rehearsals and landed funny. I thought I had rolled my foot but it swelled up badly over the weekend and after an MRI scan yesterday, it turns out I have fractured my ankle’
Her withdrawal adds yet more pressure to Strictly bosses – actor Kristian Nairn quit the series for medical reasons just last month.
The beloved BBC series also came under fire earlier this month when contestant Thomas Skinner stormed out of a press conference, bringing his appearance on the show into question by viewers.
The Daily Mail broke the news that Dani, 29, one of the show’s favourites, had to bow out on Tuesday, after fracturing her ankle during a training rehearsal on Friday.
Dani later confirmed this in a statement and said: ‘I had a fall on Friday in rehearsals and landed funny. I thought I had rolled my foot but it swelled up badly over the weekend and after an MRI scan yesterday, it turns out I have fractured my ankle.
‘Apparently doing the quickstep on a fracture is not advisable (!!) and the doctors have said I am not allowed to dance so l’ve had to pull out of the show.
‘To say I’m heartbroken is the biggest understatement. I am so going to miss dancing with Nikita but will of course be watching closely and cheering all the couples on.’
The accident occurred before Dani even got to perform one routine.
Dani appeared on Saturday’s launch show where it revealed she had been partnered with Nikita Kuzmin , 27, but it was pre-recorded before her accident took place
Sarah James, Executive Producer for BBC Studios said: ‘Dani has brought so much passion, joy and enthusiasm to Strictly, and her partnership with Nikita was off to the most sensational start.
‘Everyone on the show is incredibly sad that she’s no longer able to compete in this year’s series. We send her all our love and best wishes for a swift recovery, and we very much hope to welcome her back to the ballroom in the future.’
Many of Dani’s Strictly co-stars, celebrities and professional dancers alike, shared their sympathies with the star following her early exit.
These included head judge Shirley Ballas, who wrote: ‘I’m so so sorry. But health is most important. Get well soon Angel.’
Dani appeared on Saturday’s launch show where it revealed she had been partnered with Nikita Kuzmin , 27, but it was pre-recorded before her accident took place.
