Strictly Come Dancing star Michelle Tsiakkas is reportedly seeking therapy after being 'axed' from the show. The professional dancer confirmed this week that she was among one of several fan favorites who have been cut from the roster.

Michelle, 30, who joined the show in 2022, danced with EastEnders star Jamie Borthwick during his time stint on the competition. The pair were eliminated in the tenth week, finishing in seventh place, and Michelle did not receive a celebrity partner the following year.

In a new interview, Michelle has spoken of her sense of 'grief' which followed the bombshell news, and revealed that she’s seeking therapy to help navigate these emotions.

Speaking to The Sun, Michelle claimed that she had been axed during a 30-minute Zoom meeting with a Strictly Come Dancing executive. Michelle said: 'I didn’t see it coming. I thought I had more time. When she told me I wasn’t coming back, there was a moment of shock. I felt my story was unfinished.'

She continued: 'Everything I have known for the past four years has gone. Your brain goes through change and panic. It was so sudden, I had a feeling of hopelessness.'

She said that she was 'not given a reason' for her axing, which made the news even tougher to process.

This, she said, put her in mind of late Strictly star Robin Windsor, who took his own life in 2024, aged 44. Earlier this month, an inquest ruled that Windsor had taken his own life after a considerable 'mental health deterioration' accumulated through childhood trauma, heartache and depression. Jurors at West London Coroner’s Court were told that Windsor had left a note which said the way he was treated when he was dropped from the BBC show ‘destroyed’ him.

Describing mental health as ‘a huge thing,’ she went on to talk about the sense of whiplash which followed her sudden axing from the show.

'Strictly brings so much fame and exposure and then to lose it in a moment is really tough mentally,' she said. 'It was really tough for Robin. For me, it’s been a couple of weeks now since I got the news and things are improving. I think it’s just that journey that you go through.'

According to the tabloid, Michelle has sought out a therapist to talk about her experience. Strictly is also said to have offered a welfare team to discuss her future after the show. Samaritans are here to listen, day or night, 365 days a year. You can call them for free on 116 123, email jo@samaritans.org or visit samaritans.org for more information.

Michelle doesn’t believe that the BBC axed her due to scandal surrounding her 2024 dance partner, but she did say that she believes the cast cull is part of a concerted effort to move on. 31-year-old Jamie’s time on the show was wrought with controversy, first becoming caught up in a ‘sex toy’ row which involved fellow contestant Wynne Evans. An insider told The Sun: ‘Wynne made a jokey comment, which was borne out of Jamie looking like a spitroast chicken because of how he warmed up on Strictly, and he got fired. Jamie on the other hand boasted about engaging in a very explicit sex act and no one batted an eyelid.’

Michelle said that Jamie’s time on the show ‘wasn’t the easiest’. Michelle quit the Strictly Professionals live tour after learning that her contract had been axed.