shock exits
Inside Strictly Come Dancing’s most shocking axings from pro who ‘hated’ partners to star ditched from tour
One star revealed they were "quite emotional" about their exit from the show
STRICTLY Come Dancing has been a telly institution for two decades - although some stars have been cut in shock circumstances.
It comes as under fire opera singer Wynne Evans has been axed from the BBC show's ongoing live tour.
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The 53-year-old made a crude remark about having a threesome with professional dancer Janette, 41, during a full cast photocall.
A source said: "He's had repeated warnings about his behaviour and told to rein it in. He's not been taking it in, in this day and age the BBC have to be seen taking action and safeguard everyone.
"He's had a tough time with the death of his brother and people should give him some slack, he is going to take this time off to do some self reflection.
"He has a lot of support from a lot of the backstage dancers. It's been a really sad ending to what has been a really fun tour."
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Wynne is not the first name to depart the show under difficult circumstances.
Here is a look back at some other shock Strictly axings from over the years.
Brendan Cole
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Fan favourite dancer Brendan was a Strictly regular when the show began in 2004.
He was also the first co-winner of the Glitterball trophy, alongside Natasha Kaplinsky.
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During his time on the show, the New Zealand dancer became known for clapping back against judges' critiques he didn't agree with - even having on-air arguments with them.
He was also labelled 'difficult to work with' by other members of the team and former partners.
‘That hasn’t aged well’ say Strictly fans as awkward moment between Wynne and Katya resurfaces after his crude sex comment to Janette
Announcing his exit ahead of the 2018 series, Brendan revealed the BBC had "decided not to renew his contract".
He said on Lorraine Kelly's chat show: "They’ve made an editorial decision to not have me back on the show. I’m a little bit in shock. I’m quite emotional, and a bit raw about it.
"It’s done via a process of a phone call and stuff. I have had 15 incredible series on the show. I’m very proud of the whole show. It’s a great team.”
Giovanni Pernice
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Italian dancer Giovanni appeared on Strictly from 2015 until his final run in 2023.
His final series saw him partnered with Sherlock actress Amanda Abbington.
Amanda soon quit the show, accusing Gio of bullying and a string of complaints, some of which were upheld.
Gio was suspended while the investigation took place - costing a reported £250k - and eventually left the show completely to join the Italian version Ballando con le Stelle.
Later, he won the Italian version of Strictly and found love with celebrity partner, Italian star Bianca Guaccero.
In January 2025, he opened up about a potential return to the BBC show - following his recent success.
Giovanni told the : “I think they have closed the book on that and moved on.
“I would love to go back to Strictly because Strictly changed my life. It is a massive show, but I don’t think they’re going to have me back. They’re not.
“I’m upset as well. It’s been a great, great, great ten years. I achieved everything. But it’s not my choice, it’s not my decision.
“Everybody has moved on. Maybe I might come back in a few years like Alijaz. I think this is the path we take. And don’t forget, I’m the reigning Italian champion.”
Graziano di Prima
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The Sun broke the news that Graziano had been given the boot from the show ahead of the 2024 series.
This followed the Italian dancer having initially been announced in the line-up.
An insider told us his departure followed an internal investigation into a number of physical incidents involving Zara McDermott, who was partnered with him in 2023.
The broadcasting giant said: “We can confirm that Graziano Di Prima is no longer a part of the line-up of professional dancers for the upcoming series of Strictly Come Dancing.
"While we would never comment on individual cases, it is well-known that the BBC has established and robust duty of care procedures, and if issues are raised we will always take them seriously and act swiftly as appropriate.”
Arlene Phillips
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Choreographer and former dancer Arlene was a Strictly judge from 2004 to 2008.
She was part of the original panel, opposite Craig Revel Horwood, Len Goodman and Bruno Tonioli.
However, Arlene was the only one whose contract was not renewed for the 2009 series.
She was instead replaced by series five winner Alesha Dixon.
This sparked a conversation around ageism, with Arlene later telling "I no longer had a place on Strictly, but no agent, no one, to deal with it. It was a really awful moment. I loved Strictly.
"I have no answers as to why and I wasn't really strong enough to find the answers. You know, I didn’t have it inside me. It was so unexpected. There was no warning, no discussion. Nothing. There were never any conversations."
Aljaž Škorjanec
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Strictly's cast and crew were left gobsmacked by dancer Aljaž Škorjanec's return to the show last year - after it emerged he left the show under a cloud following a "shocking" altercation with a female professional.
The Sun revealed how the Slovenian star had agreed to leave after the incident on a boozy night out on the 2022 live tour.
Aljaz announced he was leaving Strictly on March 28, 2022.
At the time, The Sun reported that Aljaz had “verbally lashed out” and upset crew during the series, in which he danced with Dragon’s Den star Sara Davies.
A source told us in March 2022: “Incidents with Aljaz on the last series left some crew really upset.
“He verbally lashed out at various staff members behind the scenes in what some thought was an unnecessarily aggressive manner.
“Aljaž was seen by some as arrogant and pompous, and it left a bad taste in some of the staff’s mouths. Not many people will miss him.”
A spokesperson for Aljaž responded: “Aljaž has the utmost respect for everyone working on the show and it is untrue to say he was forced out or acted in an aggressive manner at any time.
"It was Aljaž’s decision to leave the show after an incredible nine years.”
In his Strictly comeback, Aljaž danced with Love Island's Tasha Ghouri, with the pair reaching the 2024 final.
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They ultimately lost out to comedian Chris McCausland and his partner Dianne Buswell.
Strictly Come Dancing airs on BBC One and iPlayer.
Wynne Evans' Strictly scandals
‘Grope’
Wynne encountered a backlash after his Strictly pro partner Katya was filmed removing his hand from her waist.
Fans insisted she looked uncomfortable as she moved it away – but Katya later insisted there was no problem.
In joke
They then sparked further fury, when she was seen refusing to high-five the Opera singer.
The duo were quick to issue a video apology and insisted it was all an innocent "inside joke".
Crude joke
Wynne came under fire for allegedly telling a "crude" joke to one of the show's make-up artists.
Insiders claim the opera star made a joke that the folds of his double chin "looked like a vagina".
A source said: “It was a bit of a vulgar dad joke.”
Vile comment
Wynne was recorded suggesting a three-way sex session with presenter Janette Manrara, using the term "spit roast".
His remark came at a photocall to launch the Strictly live tour, which pro Janette, 41, is hosting.
He reportedly pulled a suggestive face at actor Jamie Borthwick as Janette moved between them — which is when Evans allegedly made the joke.
Wynne has apologised saying: "My language was inappropriate and unacceptable, for which I sincerely apologise."
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