Professional dancer Nancy Xu expressed disappointment at not being paired with a celebrity partner in this season of Strictly Come Dancing. The latest pairings for the show were revealed during the pre-recorded launch event. Nancy, 34, a seasoned pro on the BBC program since 2019, was among the professionals without celebrity partners this year, alongside Luba Mushtuk, Michelle Tsiakkas, and Neil Jones, who will only participate in group dances. Gorka Márquez had previously announced his absence from having a partner.
Despite Nancy’s successful history on the show, this marks the first time in five years that she hasn’t been paired with a celebrity on the main show. Fans may recall her partners from recent Christmas specials, who returned for the main series but with different professional dancers. Last year, Nancy danced with Gladiators star Harry Aikines-Aryeetey in the Christmas special, where they finished as runners-up. However, Harry is now partnered with Karen Hauer for the current season.
In a recent report, a source mentioned that Nancy was upset about not having a partner and couldn’t understand the reasoning behind it. The source highlighted Nancy’s past achievements on the show, including her successful run with Shayne Ward last season. Nancy, who has been vocal about her disappointment, is known for her dedication to the show and has been discussing the situation with colleagues backstage.
Before the season premiered, it was confirmed that Nancy and Luba Mushtuk would not be paired with celebrities this year. Fans expressed their disappointment with Nancy’s situation, showing support and expressing sadness over her absence from the celebrity pairings.