BBC Strictly chaos continues as Vito Coppola drops bombshell he's 'not sure' whether he will be returning

Lauren Williams
Fri, 24 Apr 2026 09:38:06 +0000

Vito Coppola has expressed uncertainty about whether he will return to Strictly Come Dancing for the 2026 series amid sweeping changes to the BBC programme.

Mr Coppola, who joined the show four years ago, quipped that he can "only do one thing at a time" whilst juggling commitments including an upcoming book release and the live tour.

"We don't know yet. I don't know yet, especially for myself," the Italian professional dancer told the Express.

"I mean, I will keep my fingers crossed but in our environment, in our dancing world, our career is very dynamic and we have to be ready to go up, down or any direction. So, I don't know yet!"

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The forthcoming series faces an unprecedented period of transition following the shock announcement last October that long-standing presenters Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman would be stepping down.

Ms Daly had fronted the programme since its launch in 2004, initially alongside Sir Bruce Forsyth before Ms Winkleman became co-host in 2014.

The pair made their final appearance during the Christmas special.

The professional dancer roster has also been significantly depleted. Michelle Tsiakkas recently confirmed her departure, describing it as an "emotional time".

Karen Hauer, Nadiya Bychkova and Luba Mushtuk have subsequently been revealed to be leaving the series.

Fellow professional Carlos Gu, who won last year's Glitterball Trophy with former Lioness Karen Carney, suggested in Heat magazine that departing dancers are "ready to do something for themselves".

The companion programme It Takes Two is reportedly set for a dramatic transformation when it returns in September.

According to sources, BBC bosses are considering converting the show into a vodcast format, mirroring the approach taken with The Traitors: Uncloaked and The Apprentice: You're Fired.

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Fleur East and Janette Manrara have already been confirmed as departing from their presenting duties on the spin-off.

A source told The Sun: "There is definitely a creative renewal on the table for It Takes Two, and they are poised to sign off on the radical option of a vodcast."

The insider added that executives have witnessed the format succeed on other major BBC One programmes, with The Traitors aftershow attracting millions of viewers.

A BBC spokesman declined to confirm the reports, stating only that plans for Strictly Come Dancing 2026 would be announced "in due course".

The hunt for Ms Daly and Ms Winkleman's replacements is well underway, with reports indicating nine candidates remain in contention.

Those vying for the coveted role are reportedly undergoing chemistry tests, with auditions said to include full-scale rehearsals featuring a complete judging panel and live band.

An insider revealed: "It's not just about reading autocue. They'll be looking at how people work together and humour is a massive part of it. There's everything to play for."

Emma Willis, Bradley Walsh and Rylan Clark are currently considered frontrunners, while Zoe Ball, Stacey Dooley and Hannah Waddingham also feature prominently in bookmakers' odds.

Executive producer Sarah James and BBC head of entertainment Kalpna Patel-Knight are closely monitoring proceedings.

A source emphasised: "Strictly is the crown jewel of the BBC. With Claudia and Tess now gone, it needs to be handled with the utmost care."