Amy Dowden

Some Strictly Come Dancing fans are predicting that it could be the last series for one of the professional dancers. This year’s series of the BBC show features a 19-strong professional dancer line-up, combining 14 returning favourites with five brand-new additions

This year’s series of Strictly Come Dancing features a 19-strong professional dancer line-up, combining 14 returning favourites with five brand-new additions following the departures of long-serving pros Karen Hauer, Luba Mushtuk, Nadiya Bychkova, Gorka Márquez, and Michelle Tsiakkas.

Two of the new arrivals – Maddie Ingoldsby and Mark Karmalita – received celebrity partners for their debut season, while the other three (Aleksandra Isaeva, Cristian Priori and Lethabo Monamets) joined the ensemble for group numbers and special routines. The returning professionals include last year’s winner Carlos Gu, as well as Dianne Buswell, Kai Widdrington, Katya Jones, Lauren Oakley, Nikita Kuzmin, Vito Coppola, Nancy Xu, Aljaž Škorjanec, and Amy Dowden.

However, some Strictly fans are predicting that it could be the last series for one of the professional dancers.

Taking to a Strictly Reddit forum, one fan on the BBC show asked: “Do you think any pros will leave after this series?

“A lot of the current pros have had quite long tenures on the show and obviously we got a few new pros this year as well so interested to know.

“I hope no one goes as I think they’re all incredible!”

Many mentioned that they think Amy could leave after a turbulent few years.

In May 2023, after finding a lump the day before her honeymoon, Amy was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer. She underwent a mastectomy and chemotherapy, forcing her to sit out the entire 2023 series of Strictly.

She later revealed that the physical and emotional toll brought her to the brink of retiring from dancing altogether, though her husband, Ben Jones, and best friend, fellow pro Carlos Gu, encouraged her to keep going.

After announcing there was no evidence of disease and surviving a terrifying cancer scare ahead of the autumn launch, Amy made an emotional return to the ballroom in 2024, paired with JLS singer JB Gill.

The pair were strong contenders, but Amy suffered a foot injury mid-series that forced her to withdraw from the competition once again — something she admitted left her “heartbroken” after spending 20 months working toward her comeback.

In 2025, she returned to the competition alongside businessman Thomas Skinner, though they were the first couple eliminated.

Late in 2025, following consultations with her medical team, she also underwent a second mastectomy (not due to a new cancer diagnosis, though she has spoken candidly about the ongoing anxiety of recurrence and continues monthly oncology treatments). Her luck on the show remained tough in 2026, where she and partner Chris Appleton were the first pair eliminated in Week 2.

One viewer wrote: “I can see Amy leaving,” as another added: “She really has had a hard time lately, right?”

A third chimed in: “I hope she does one more season because I’d hate to see her go out after going home first two years in a row.”

While a fourth added: “Amy or Dianne, after 10 seasons feel their time is coming to an end.”

Some also thought dancer Neil Jones may leave too. The 44-year-old hasn’t had a celebrity partner since 2024 when he was paired with singer and actress Toyah Willcox. They were the second couple eliminated, finishing in 14th place.

He has also only been given two other partners during his time on the show – Nina Wadia in 2021 and Alex Scott in 2019.

Some Strictly fans even think newbie Maddie, 21, may leave after just one series, or missed out on a partner next year.

The dancer has faced notable backlash during her debut season alongside celebrity partner Cach Mercer. Both viewers and judges — including Craig Revel Horwood and Motsi Mabuse — have repeatedly flagged her routines for lacking traditional technique, proper footwork, and enough time “in hold”.

Many fans on social media have accused her of “letting Cach down” by ignoring the judges’ weekly feedback in favour of flashy, modern routines.

Strictly Come Dancing airs Sunday November 15 on BBC One and BBC iPlayer at 7:15 pm.

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Children in Need viewers are calling on Rylan Clark to take on a new role after watching him perform.

Children in Need viewers have been left issuing the same demand after watching Rylan Clark perform.

The former X Factor star and beloved TV presenter joined Alex Jones, Sara Cox, Tyler West and Mel Giedroyc as host of Children in Need 2026.

As part of the performances over Friday evening, the presenters took part in a Strictly Come Dancing routine, that saw Rylan partnered with Strictly icon Amy Dowden.

Watching him dance, viewers rushed to social media to urge for Rylan to join the next series of Strictly Come Dancing. One person said: “GET RYLAN ON THE MAIN SERIES PRONTO!” Another wrote: “Rylan for Strictly 2027!”

“Rylan was very good. We always suspected he could dance. Loved that,” another said. Someone else said: “OH MY GODDDD @Rylan and Amy!!! It’s a 10 from me.”

Yet another echoed: “Why is @Rylan not on #StrictlyComeDancing he would be amazing!” as someone else said: “Rylan has some moves.”

Another viewer added: “NEED RYLAN ON NEXT YEARS MAIN SERIES PLEASE.” Someone else said: “They should definitely get Rylan as a celebrity on a future series of Strictly. He did so well with that dance.”

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Amy had announced her new dance partner for the Children in Need special earlier this week, sending fans wild as she confirmed she’d be dancing with Rylan.

This comes after Amy and her Strictly celebrity partner Chris Appleton became the first pair eliminated from the BBC competition this year. Amy was also the first eliminated last year, when she was partnered with Thomas Skinner, btu has remained a firm favourite with fans.

Ahead of hosting Children in Need, Rylan said: “⁠It’s amazing to be part of Children in Need’s appeal show, obviously it’s something that I have grown up watching and loved and have been involved in in the past, so to be asked to host this year is a real honour.”

He added: “People should get involved this year for the exact same reasons they should get involved every year! There are still children in need and all the money raised is going to help so many amazing people and projects.”

Children in Need is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.