Strictly star speaks out about "out of the blue" exit...

Michelle Tsiakkas says she is "not giving up"



Michelle Tsiakkas has revealed that she is indeed one of the professional dancers to be axed from Strictly Come Dancing, and has opened up about how the "out of the blue" news left her devastated.

Speaking to The Sun, she revealed that she was told during a 30-minute video call with the show's boss, in which she "burst into tears".

"It felt like my world was falling apart, my dream was shattered," Michelle — who only had one celebrity partner during her four-season stint — said.

"I gave my everything to the show for the four years, it was my whole life."

"I didn't see it coming," Tsiakkas added. "I thought I had more time. When [the producer] told me I wasn't coming back, there was a moment of shock. I felt my story was unfinished.

"It felt out of the blue. It was very tough. I was heartbroken. I went through so many emotions. I gave my life to Strictly.

"It's like grief. There are many stages to it, many emotions: sadness, confusion, and frustration.

"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."

The dancer also explained that she "wasn't given a reason" to the decision, except that "they were going in a different direction and wanted new faces to freshen it up".

Tsiakkas added that the show has offered her welfare support, while she has also sought out a therapist, and made the choice to quit the Strictly: The Professionals tour as she knew she wouldn't be able to give 100% to her performance.

"It was a decision I took to take care of myself," she said, before addressing her future.

"I am realising there is a whole world outside of Strictly and I am trying to get excited about new opportunities," she concluded. "I am not giving up, only just getting started."

https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/reality-tv/a70881503/michelle-tsiakkas-strictly-exit/