Nadiya Bychkova returns to Strictly's It Takes Two months after leaving the show
Former Strictly Come Dancing professional Nadiya Bychkova appeared on spin-off It Takes Two on 2 October as an All Star panellist, months after leaving the main show in a BBC shake-up. Fans welcomed her back on social media.
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The story, neutrally told
MixedNadiya Bychkova, who left Strictly Come Dancing earlier this year, appeared on the spin-off It Takes Two on Friday 2 October. Daily ExpressR “Now, Nadiya has returned to the programme as part of It Takes Two's All Star panel on Friday (October 2).” Read at Daily Express ↗ Digital SpyN “Nadiya Bychknova has returned to the world of Strictly Come Dancing with an appearance on spin-off It Takes Two.” Read at Digital Spy ↗ MixedShe was on the panel with former contestants Jay McGuiness and Kimberley Walsh, previewing the weekend's Movie Week dances with host Ellie Taylor. Daily ExpressR “The dancer was joined by former celebrity stars Jay McGuiness and Kimberley Walsh. The trio previewed this weekend's Movie Week dances with host Ellie Taylor.” Read at Daily Express ↗ Digital SpyN “alongside former contestants Jay McGuinness and Kimberley Walsh” Read at Digital Spy ↗ MixedThe Daily Express says she was axed in March after nine years on the show as part of a major BBC shake-up; Digital Spy describes her leaving amid a huge shake-up earlier this year. Daily ExpressR “Nadiya Bychkova was axed from Strictly back in March after nine years on the show, as part of a major BBC shake-up.” Read at Daily Express ↗ Digital SpyN “After leaving the show amid a huge shake-up earlier this year” Read at Digital Spy ↗
RightStrictly's official Instagram thanked her for her contribution at the time, and she said she was excited to focus on new projects and spend more time with her daughter. Daily ExpressR “"We would like to say a huge thank you to Nadiya Bychkova for her incredible contribution to Strictly Come Dancing."”“I'm excited to have time to focus on new projects, and to spend more precious time with my beautiful daughter.” Read at Daily Express ↗ RightThe Express adds that Karen Hauer, Gorka Marquez, Luba Mushtuk and Michelle Tsiakkas also left the show this year. Daily ExpressR “Karen Hauer, Gorka Marquez, Luba Mushtuk, and Michelle Tsiakkas also left the show.” Read at Daily Express ↗ MixedOn the panel she advised contestants to use the Friday run-through to get comfortable and have the steps in before Movie Week; Digital Spy adds she praised Dani Dyer's lines in week two. Daily ExpressR “make sure the steps are in, the understanding of the routine is there and slowly getting into the spirit of the Movie Week.” Read at Daily Express ↗ Digital SpyN “On Dani Dyer in particular, she beamed: "The lines she's doing... it's week two” Read at Digital Spy ↗
MixedFans on X welcomed her back, with one writing that whoever decided to 'refresh' her out of the pro line-up deserved to be kicked with spangly shoes. Daily ExpressR “Whoever decided to 'refresh' her out of the pro line-up wants kicking with very spangly pointed shoes.” Read at Daily Express ↗ Digital SpyN “"So good to have Nadiya back."” Read at Digital Spy ↗ CentreDigital Spy also lists the Movie Week routines for the 15 contestants, before eliminations begin. Digital SpyN “Movie Week will see the 15 contestants take to the floor one more time before the eliminations finally begin.” Read at Digital Spy ↗
Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on. The pill in front of each says where its sources sit: Left, Centre or Right when one side supplies at least half of them, Mixed when they are evenly split.
Left0 outlets
No left outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
Centre1 outlet
- Framing
- Upbeat fan-pleasing story about a surprise comeback, tied to Movie Week preview.
- Emphasis
- Fan delight, her advice and praise for Dani Dyer, full list of Movie Week dances.
- Leaves out or plays down
- The official exit statement, the month of her departure and the other professionals who left.
- Charged language
- “thrills fans”“surprise return”
- For example
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“Fans took to social media to express delight at her comeback” — Digital Spy
Right1 outlet
- Framing
- Leads on her return 'months after axe', recalling the exit and the official farewell statement.
- Emphasis
- Her exit, the Instagram statements, other departed professionals, fan reaction.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Contestants' Movie Week dances and her comments on Dani Dyer.
- Charged language
- “axe”“axed”
- For example
-
“A former Strictly Come Dancing professional has returned to the show just months after being axed.” — Daily Express
What every side reports
- Nadiya Bychkova appeared on It Takes Two on 2 October alongside Jay McGuiness and Kimberley Walsh.
- She left Strictly earlier in 2026 amid a BBC shake-up.
- Fans on X welcomed her return.
- She previewed Movie Week on the panel.
Where accounts differ
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How her exit is described
- Centre
- Digital Spy says she left 'amid a huge shake-up' and gives no month.
- Right
- The Express says she was 'axed' in March after nine years.
Strictly Come Dancing other
Strictly's official Instagram account thanked Bychkova on her exit, calling her a 'cherished member of the Strictly family'.
“she will always remain a cherished member of the Strictly family” — Daily Express
Left0 articles
No coverage yet.
Centre1 article
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Strictly Come Dancing pro thrills fans with surprise return after exit
Celebratory Celebrates a surprise comeback with fan reaction and Movie Week preview.
Right2 articles
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Strictly Come Dancing pro dancer returns to BBC show months after axe
Sympathetic Frames the return against her 'axe' and the farewell statement, sympathetic to her.
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- 2 Oct 19:08 First Daily ExpressR Strictly Come Dancing pro dancer returns to BBC show months after axe
- 2 Oct 19:14 +6m Digital SpyN Strictly Come Dancing pro thrills fans with surprise return after exit
- 2 Oct 19:50 +42m Daily ExpressR Beloved Strictly pro returns to BBC show months after brutal summer axing
Times are when each article was published, or when we first saw it if the outlet gave no time.