‘Clean-living’ Strictly star spared from axe as he’s signed up for new season

Strictly Come Dancing has reportedly signed up Julian Caillon for a new series of the BBC ballroom show, amid a wider upheaval in the professional dancer line-up.

Several of the ballroom’s biggest names have confirmed their exit from the sparkly show in recent weeks, with Nadiya Bychkova and Karen Hauer among them.

The BBC is allegedly prioritising pro dancers’ social media popularity over their skill or familiarity with longtime viewers.

It has now been reported that Caillon, 30, will be back for the 24th series later this year, with his no-drama personal life said to be a bonus to keeping him as part of the team.

A source told The Sun: ‘Julian was not only liked by the bosses but he also went down well with the viewers.

But most importantly he leads a very clean-living and trouble-free life.

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‘His fiancée is a fitness expert and together they really are that perfect good-looking, clean-living couple, which after everything that’s happened over the last few years is exactly what the bosses want.

He’s set to sign in the coming weeks.’
A Strictly spokesperson told the Metro when contacted for comment: ‘Plans for Strictly Come Dancing 2026 will be confirmed in due course.’
Caillon only joined the show last year, but went on to reach the semi-finals with EastEnders star Balvinder Sopal.

The pair were embattled to the end, facing a record-breaking string of dance-offs on the show, which made Balvinder the first celeb to survive five of them.

It isn’t just the massive shake-up in the dancing pro line-up that is going to guarantee a different look for the 2026 series.

There’s also the matter of the Strictly hosts.

Which Strictly pros are officially leaving?

• Karen Hauer


• Luba Mushtuk


• Michelle Tsiakkas


• Nadiya Bychkova

Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman sensationally announced their exit from the show in the middle of last season, setting off a feverish guessing game for who in the industry might replace them.

Several household names have been thrown into the proverbial hat – including Bradley Walsh, Zoe Ball, Alex Jones and current bookies’ favourite Rylan Clark – but the BBC has yet to make an official announcement on who will helm the Strictly leaderboard.

Amanda Holden and Alan Carr were two names thrown out as a potential double-act, but both have publicly confirmed they will not be fronting the show.

Metro contacted Julian Caillon’s representative for comment on this story.
Strictly Come Dancing returns to the BBC later this year.

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