Former Strictly Come Dancing stars James Jordan and Ian Waite have shared their thoughts on the recent "cull" of professionals from the dance show.
After the huge change of hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman's exits were announced last year, the BBC series have revealed in the last few months that five major dancers would be leaving their roles.
The list, which shocked both Strictly fans and seemingly the dancers themselves, includes Karen Hauer, Gorka Marquez, Nadiya Bychkova, Luba Mushtuk and Michelle Tsiakkas.
Mr Jordan, who featured as a dancer in the show from 2006 to 2013, issued a brutal take on the situation, stating a shake-up had been "needed," but Mr Waite argued the stars leaving were the "wrong ones."
BBC Strictly: James Jordan left the show in 2013 | PAMr Jordan explained: "When you join Strictly, you're taking someone's job, OK?
"And people forget that because they’re on the show, but then when they're asked to leave, and then they're replaced, they're only worried about that.
"But they forget at some point, they took someone's job. It's just showbiz, that’s what it is. Enjoy it for what it is – it is a juggernaut of a show, and it was an honour for all of us to be part of it for so many years."
Speaking to the Press Association, he added: "But you have to remember that it will come to an end at some point, and all this controversy around, 'Oh, they're changing so many of the pros.'
Karen Hauer was among the professional dancers dropped by BBC bosses | BBCWith unvarnished honesty, he concluded: "It needed a shakeup. Some of the pros have been on there for 14 years… Dead wood… Get rid of them and bring someone younger in, in my opinion."
Mr Waite went on to share: "In my opinion, they got rid of the wrong ones.
"All the professional dancers are amazing in their own right, but you can't stay on there forever.
"At some point, you have to give the younger ones a chance, because there's so many amazing dancers out there."
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Johannes Radebe, Josh Widdicombe and Emma Willis will front the new series of Strictly | BBCMr Jordan went on to tell the publication that "some of the judges" should have been included in the shake-up.
He aired his frustration about how the show has become "politically correct," deeming the judging panel "nicey-nicey."
Strictly recently announced which presenters would be filling the shoes of Ms Daly and Ms Winkleman, who fronted the show for decades.
After a lengthy wait, it was confirmed in May that Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and dancer Johannes Radebe would be replacing the duo.
Ian Waite starred in Strictly Come Dancing from 2004 to 2010 | PAReflecting on the upcoming change, Mr Jordan told PA he thought Ms Willis would be "amazing."
He added he'd "hold judgement" on Mr Widdicombe and Mr Radebe as he hadn't seen either of them presenting before.
"I would have preferred someone like Bradley Walsh or Vernon Kay, or someone like that, because they’re tried and tested," he admitted.
Strictly returns to BBC One later this year, with the broadcaster having already revealed three of the contestants.