- Strictly fans fear dancer Nadiya Bychkova is quitting after cryptic Instagram posts hinting at a change
- Others have speculated that Nadiya may be referring to new projects, including a Netflix role and a production company
- Nadiya has competed in 7 seasons of Strictly, with notable partnerships, despite no official announcement of her departure
A fan favourite Strictly Come Dancing professionalhas sparked fears that she is leaving the show after a cryptic post to her Instagram account.
Ukrainian-Slovenian dancer Nadiya Bychkova, 36, has been a member of the BBC series since 2017, and performed with such famous faces as Lee Ryan, Davood Ghadami and Matt Goss.
This year, she was partnered with former England rugby captain Chris Robshaw, before being eliminated in the fourth week of the competition.
Nadiya now has fans fretting that she might be quitting the show after recent posts to her Instagram Stories.
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The star shared two black-and-white images on her account, hinting that something big is on the horizon.
‘A pause before the next step,’ Nadiya wrote, over a snap of herself looking pensive in a glamorous dress.
The next image showed Nadiya holding her phone up for a mirror selfie, wearing a wry smile upon her face.
Over the image, composer Max Richter’s haunting tune On the Nature of Daylight played.
‘Something is shifting…’ Nadiya hinted in the accompanying caption.
Some fans took this as a hint that Nadiya could be stepping down from her BBC role, with skinhelppl worrying on Reddit: ‘I hope it doesn’t mean she’s leaving Strictly.’
However, others were quick to point out that it was more likely a reference to her upcoming role in the Netflix film 10 Dance
‘Maybe something related to that?’ speculated MarineDynamite, adding: ‘Maybe she’s taking a page from Luba [Mushtuk] and going into acting?’
Meanwhile, ValuablePresence20 wondered if it could be ‘referring to her new production company’ that she set up with former Strictly partner Dan Walker.
Branded Butterfly Entertainment, their showbiz agency, opened its doors in August 2025, and focuses on the production and programming of film, TV and performing arts.
Whatever the case may be, it’s important to note that neither Nadiya nor the BBC have indicated that she’ll be departing Strictly anytime soon.
Fans previously expressed dismay at Nadiya’s elimination from Strictly in October, with some feeling as though she’s been underserved by the show since joining.
Nadiya has competed on seven seasons of Strictly so far, with her highest finish coming during season 19, reaching fifth place with TV presenter Dan.
Her 5ft8in height makes her one of the taller female dancers on the show – meaning that she is often paired with taller competitors.
Historically, former athletes – like footballers and swimmers – tend to struggle to break into the later stages of the competition, in comparison with other male celebrities.
As such, dancing with Lee Ryan (5ft11), David James (6ft4), Matt Goss (5ft11), Tom Dean (6ft4), and Chris Robshaw (6ft2) has meant that Nadiya finished in 14th, 12th, 13th, 15th, and 13th place (again) over the last eight years.
In the wake of their first dance-off, Chris took to Instagram to share his fear of ‘letting Nadiya down.’
‘The first thing I want to say is thank you,’ he began, in a lengthy statement. ‘When I started this show, I never thought I’d end up loving to dance.’
Describing how the show had made him ‘feel like an athlete again,’ Chris added: ‘I know I am not the best dancer, but I hope you can see some potential in me, and I’m worthy of your vote. I want to improve and to continue on this journey for as long as I can.
‘I don’t want to let @nadiyabychkova down. I don’t want to let you guys down. I promise you I am trying my best.’
In response, Nadiya wrote: ‘My dear Chris. It broke my heart a little reading this.
‘You haven’t let me, or anyone else down. I know how proud your family are of you, and I see every day how much you are enjoying it.
‘It has been a real pleasure to teach you and… WE ARE STILL HERE!’
Alas, the pair were eliminated weeks later, on October 19.
Appearing after the fact on Strictly spin-off show It Takes Two, Chris described his exit as ‘really overwhelming’.
Quizzed by Fleur East, Chris said he was feeling ‘gutted to be out of the competition’ whilst also feeling ‘incredibly proud’ of what he and Nadiya had achieved.
He added: ‘I don’t say this lightly, but over the last 24 hours it’s been extremely emotional.’
Metro.co.uk has approached the BBC and Nadiya Bychkova’s representatives for comment.
Strictly Come Dancing returns Saturday at 6.35pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
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