Nadiya Bychkova threatened to quit ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ because she didn’t get her own dressing room and was forced to use public transport to get to training.
The 28-year-old ballroom and latin dancer was brought in as a new professional on the show last year, but bosses have had to make some changes ahead of the new series later this year as she was reportedly furious with the way she was treated.
A source told The Sun newspaper: "Nadiya thought she would be brought in and be the star of the show. She was quite surprised to learn that she wouldn’t get her own dressing room and that pros had to use public transport to get to rehearsals. Luckily they’ve managed to convince her to stay after some back and forth."
Although bosses are seemingly keen to keep on Nadiya – who was partnered with Davood Ghadami last year and made the semi-finals with him – on board for the new series, it’s thought no contracts will be handed out until nearer to the launch.
However, producers have already decided which professionals haven’t made the cut as Brendan Cole – who has been on the programme for 14 years – has been axed.
The 41-year-old dancer – who is known to use his acid tongue – got into a war of words with head judge Shirley Ballas last year after she claimed he’d put a rise and fall into his Tango, which he performed with Charlotte Hawkins.
Brendan shot down her comment and told her to re-watch the clip, but his remarks didn’t sit well with the rest of the judging panel and Bruno Tonioli jumped to Shirley’s defence – accusing the New Zealand hunk of being "disrespectful."
Since it was announced he wouldn’t be returning to the ballroom and latin competition this year, fans have started an online petition in a bid to persuade the BBC to overturn their decision and give him his job back.