A STRICTLY favourite who quit 13 years ago has vowed to make a return to the BBC show amid the ongoing professional dancer cull.

It comes after Michelle Tsiakkas , 30, became one of the victims of the BBC One show’s pro dancer bloodbath, and told The Sun that she was given the boot in a brutal 30 minute Zoom call.

A Strictly favourite who quit 13 years ago has vowed to make a return to the BBC show amid the pro dancer cullCredit: Instagram
 

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Fan favourite Vincent Simone and singer Rachel Stevens became the runners-up in the finalCredit: Handout
Former pro dancer Vincent Simone, 47, has revealed he would love to return to Strictly Come Dancing and even hinted at a place on the judging panel.

He said: “I’d love to return as a professional dancer. I still feel fit and capable.

“I’d also enjoy being a judge, bringing my personality and experience to the panel.

“Presenting would be more challenging for me because of the pressure and script work.

“But judging or dancing again would be something I’d happily do.”

Speaking exclusively to Paddy Power Games Vincent revealed that the Strictly shake-up won’t destroy the show despite the mass exits.

He explained: “There are still many strong, popular professionals on the show. Even if they lose 20–30% of the lineup, the core remains.

“The excitement around new hosts and new dancers will keep audiences engaged.

“It feels like one of the most exciting years because of all the changes.”

Speaking about the shock axings Vincent continued: “There’s no easy way to do it. You’re either in the show or you’re not.

“Some dancers have already been in a position where they didn’t always have a celebrity partner, so the transition might not be as shocking.

“But for those who had a partner every year, it’s much harder because they lose the full Strictly experience.”

Nadiya Bychkova, Karen Hauer, Luba Mushtuk and Michelle Tsiakkas have already been axed from Strictly.

It comes as bosses are doing a mass cull of their pro dancers in a major shake up ahead of the new series after a series of scandals.

Nadiya, 36, who had partnerships with Dan Walker and Lee Ryan is said to be “gutted” at leaving the show.

Karen, 43, was the longest serving professional dancer on the BBC show and it was revealed earlier this month that she was leaving the show as part of widespread changes.

Michelle, 30, said she gave her whole life to the show but was brutally axed on a zoom call.

And ballroom dancer Luba, 36, was “devastated” when she was axed from the flagship show in the brutal cast shake-up.

Vincent appeared on the BBC dance show from 2006 until 2012 when he decided to leave the show for new projects.

His celebrity partners included, Edwina Currie, Dani Harmer, Felicity Kendal, Louisa Lytton, Tracey Beaker and Natalie Cassidy.

He also partnered with singer Rachel Stevens and the pair became the runners-up in the final.

Following his choice to leave Strictly, Vincent appeared on ITV’s reality show I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here! hosted by Ant and Dec where he finished in tenth place.

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Vincent and actress Dani Harmer finished in 4th place in the showCredit: BBC
 

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Vincent and actress Felicity Kendal finished in 8th place in series 8 of the showCredit: Handout
 

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Vincent took part in Ant and Dec’s I’m a Celeb and finished in tenth placeCredit: ITV
 

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Luba Mushtuk was “devastated” when she was axed from the  flagship show in the brutal cast shake-upCredit: Getty
 

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Michelle Tsiakkas said she gave her whole life to the show but was brutally axed on a zoom callCredit: Getty
 

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Karen Hauer was the longest serving professional dancer on the BBC showCredit: Getty
 

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Nadiya Bychkova is said to be “gutted” at leaving the showCredit: PA
 

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Show bosses are doing a mass cull of their professional dancers in a major shake upCredit: BBC