Carlos Gu has spoken out about the recent wave of departures from Strictly Come Dancing.
The 33-year-old professional dancer, who remains part of the BBC show's lineup, shared his thoughts with Heat magazine about the significant changes to the cast.
Mr Gu said: "I love Karen - she's embraced herself as a cool, strong, independent woman.
"But I believe people who leave the show are ready to do something for themselves."
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Carlos Gu spoke out about the recent wave of departures from the iconic dancing show
| BBCHe continued: "Strictly's not about us, we're not there to be the star, so I understand why people decide to leave."
Mr Gu expressed confidence that his departing colleagues would thrive in whatever they pursue next.
The shake-up saw several established names removed from the programme ahead of the 2026 series.
Karen Hauer, the longest-serving female professional having joined in 2012, was among those dropped by BBC bosses.
Karen Hauer was among those dropped by BBC bosses
| BBCGorka Márquez, who has appeared on the show for a decade and reached three finals, was also let go alongside his partner Gemma Atkinson's former dance floor.
Nadiya Bychkova departed after eight years with the programme, during which she partnered celebrities such as Dan Walker, Matt Goss and Davood Ghadami.
Luba Mushtuk, who joined eight years ago but had not been assigned a celebrity partner recently, was also axed.
Michelle Tsiakkas, who arrived in 2022 and received her first celebrity pairing with Jamie Borthwick in 2024, completed the list of departures.
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Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly filmed their final BBC Strictly episode last year | BBCBeyond the dancer departures, MrGu also weighed in on who should take over presenting duties on the programme.
The dancer threw his support behind Angela Scanlon as a potential new co-host, having partnered with her during the 2023 series of the competition.
"She has so much to give. She's witty and quick, and so interesting," Mr Gu said of the 42-year-old presenter.
Angela Scanlon, who currently hosts The Apprentice: Unfinished Business, is reportedly among nine celebrities attending auditions this week as the BBC searches for replacements following the departure of Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman.
The pair left the programme at the conclusion of the 2025 series in December, prompting producers to seek fresh faces for the presenting roles.
The search for new presenters has intensified, with The Sun reporting on Monday that auditions are taking place this week involving nine well-known faces.
Zoe Ball, Emma Willis and Alison Hammond are understood to be among those in the running for the coveted roles.
Rylan Clark, Alex Jones and Bradley Walsh have also reportedly been invited to audition alongside comedian Tom Allen and RuPaul's Drag Race UK star La Voix.
Molly Rainford and Carlos Gu in 2023
|GETTY
Meanwhile, uncertainty continues to surround the companion show It Takes Two, with hosts Janette Manrara and Fleur East's positions reportedly under review.
Janette Manrara, who appeared on BBC Breakfast on April 15, acknowledged the precarious situation facing the show's talent.
"I think everyone at the moment is on standby, so we'll see what happens. That's showbiz!" she remarked.
A Strictly spokeswoman confirmed that plans for the 2026 series would be announced in due course.