Hayley Holt with her dancing partner Mark Foster on the show

'Strictly Come Dancing' dancer axed by email

Wednesday, 5 August 2009

'Strictly Come Dancing' star Hayley Holt has revealed she was dumped from the show by email.

The 28-year-old professional dancer spoke of her "frustration" at being axed from the BBC ballroom dancing show, claiming bosses emailed her agent to say her services were no longer required.

She told Britain's Daily Mirror newspaper: "I'm not too sure why I wasn't asked back. They didn't really give me a reason. My agent had to ring them up to find out what was going on. It leaves me wondering why. It is frustrating."

The New Zealand-born dancer - who only appeared in the 2008 run of the show, partnered with Olympic swimmer Mark Foster - was looking forward to returning to the series in September and said she will miss the other professional dancers and judges.

Hayley said: "If they asked me back I would definitely consider it. I had a great time. It was a whirlwind. Obviously it was hard work but I enjoyed it. I am going to miss it."

BBC bosses insist the decision was "amicable".

A spokesperson said: "We contract dancers for one series at a time and the line-up is always subject to change. We thank Hayley for her fantastic contribution to the show. It is an amicable decision."

It has been claimed Hayley will be replaced on the show by Australian dancer Natalie Lowe, 28.

Hayley - who previously appeared on the New Zealand version of 'Dancing with the Stars' - is not the only star to be axed from the new series.

Professional dancer Karen Hardy, 39, has been replaced by a younger star, but will take a new role in the show, while experienced choreographer Arlene Phillips, 66, will not return to the judging panel.

Former show winner Alesha Dixon, 30, is set to be unveiled as a new judge, sparking an ageism row.

'Strictly Come Dancing' will begin in September.