Is Strictly waltzing into another ageism row? As seasoned pros 'risk being replaced by younger dancers' how the show has been marred with controversy

Strictly Come Dancing's seasoned professionals are said to be at risk of being replaced by younger talent. As seasoned pros including Nadiya Bychkova, 35, 'risk being replaced by younger dancers' on Strictly how the show has been marred with ageism scandals over the years Most famously, Dame Arlene Phillips found herself dubbed 'the face of anti-ageism' when she was axed from the show in 2009 and replaced by younger Alesha Dixon Most famously, Dame Arlene Phillips found herself dubbed 'the face of anti-ageism' when she was axed from the show in 2009. Camilla Dallerup, then 35 and the reigning Strictly champion was also also axed In 2022, fans accused Shirley Ballas, 64, of overmarking young male contestants, with Shirley revealing she considered quitting the show because the trolling got so bad Six weeks after Dame Arlene was axed from the show, Strictly found itself embroiled in another ageism row when popular dancer Karen Hardy was dropped from the lineup. Some of Strictly Come Dancing's biggest professionals, including Nadiya, are now reportedly at risk of being axed by bosses in a huge shake-up Among those at risk are thought to be Nadiya Bychkova, Neil Jones, Karen Hauer, Gorka Marquez and Katya Jones, four of which have already been eliminated As it stands, the oldest professional dancers on the show, are Neil and Karen, both 42. Following a year that has seen Strictly hit by a string of scandals, sources are now claiming that bosses are planning to bring in a new generation of young dancers Currently, only Katya is still competing on this year's Strictly, but she was previously embroiled in a 'groping' scandal with her celebrity partner Wynne Evans Strictly's milestone 20th year has been marred by scandal - after actress Amanda Abbington unexpectedly quit the show last October before claiming her partner Giovanni Pernice was abusive towards her.