It has been a challenging week for the popular TV show Strictly Come Dancing, which is set to kick off with its first live episode this Saturday evening.
The turmoil began with Dani Dyer having to withdraw from the show due to an ankle injury sustained during training. The 29-year-old TV personality fractured her ankle after an awkward landing in practice on Friday, as confirmed by a scan on Monday.
Adding to the commotion, rumors of discontent among the show’s professional dancers surfaced, with Nancy Xu speaking out about not being paired with a celebrity for the new season. The pre-recorded launch revealed that several pros, including Nancy at 34, Luba Mushtuk, Michelle Tsiakkas, and Neil Jones, have yet to be matched with a celebrity partner. Gorka Márquez had previously announced that he would also be without a partner.
Upon learning about the pairings, it was reported that Nancy was upset by the situation. In a video message to her fans ahead of the live shows, Nancy expressed her initial disappointment but reassured everyone that she is still part of the Strictly “family.”
Acknowledging the overwhelming support she received, Nancy thanked her fans for their kind messages and shared her determination to support her fellow Strictly participants this year. Despite not having a dance partner, Nancy emphasized her commitment to cheering on the other contestants and participating in group numbers, as well as making appearances on It Takes Two and Morning Live.
In the comments section of her post, Nancy received encouraging messages from fans and colleagues, reinforcing their support for her during this challenging time.
This marks the first time in five years that Nancy has not been partnered on the main show, although she participated in two Christmas specials with different partners who later joined the main series with other professionals.
As Nancy continues to navigate this unexpected turn of events, she remains grateful for the outpouring of love and support from her fans, reinforcing her dedication to the show and her fellow dancers.