Strictly Come Dancing pro Nancy Xu 'upset' over launch show 'snub' from producers

Professional dancer Nancy Xu is said to have found it "really jarring" not being given a celebrity partner on Strictly Come Dancing this year. The pairings for the latest series were unveiled in last night's pre-recorded launch show.

Nancy, 34, who joined the BBC show in 2019, is one of the pros without a partner. It was revealed during the launch that Luba Mushtuk, Michelle Tsiakkas and Neil Jones will just be part of the group dances too. Gorka Márquez had already announced that he wouldn't have a partner.

Although it's the first time that Nancy hasn't had a partner on the main show in five years, it marks the second time that she's not reunited with a celebrity from a Christmas special. Her partners from the last two festive specials have both returned for the main show but partnered with other pros.

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She danced with Gladiators star Harry Aikines-Aryeetey in last year's Christmas special, with them runners-up in the competition. Harry is back for the main series this year, but he has been partnered with Karen Hauer instead.

Similarly, Nancy won the festive special in 2023 with former EastEnders cast member Jamie Borthwick but they weren't partnered together when he later returned. He was paired with Michelle when he competed on the main show last year.

A source told the Sun that Nancy is "upset" to have been "benched again" after a "brilliant run" with Harry in the special. Before referencing Jamie having also returned with a different partner, they said: "It's not the first time it's happened and she's said she thinks there may be some kind of deeper issue she's not aware of."

The source said that Nancy "understands" that she can't be partnered with someone she's already danced with because it would be an "advantage". They said she's confused over why she doesn't have a partner though.

They went on to mention Nancy having competed with Shayne Ward on Strictly last year. The source said: "She is absolutely incensed by it all and has said she can't work out what she's done to make producers snub her - especially because she did so well with [Shayne] last year."

The source said that Nancy, who didn't have a partner in her first two years on Strictly, "loves" the show and "gives it her all". They said: "So to be left out in the cold again for this series has been really jarring for her." The source said that Nancy is letting people backstage know that she's "not happy" and has been discussing the situation with colleagues.

Prior to the launch episode, it was reported that Nancy and Luba wouldn't have celebrity partners this year. A source had told the Sun that they were "disappointed" but acknowledged that not everyone is able to have a partner, adding that the pros on the show are "grateful for the gig".

Some fans shared disappointment over Nancy not having a celebrity partner this weekend. They reacted to the news in the comments section of a post promoting the launch show that she shared on Instagram yesterday.

One person later wrote in a response to her: "Sad you don't have a partner this year! One of my faves." Sharing their thoughts, another fan said in a message to Nancy earlier this weekend: "Gutted you've not got a celebrity this year."

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