Bill Bailey compared Strictly Come Dancing to a 'cult' - as he looked back on winning the competition amid professional dancers being axed.

The comedian and actor, 61, emerged triumphant on the BBC show in 2020, alongside Oti Mabuse.

He saw off EastEnders actress Maisie Smith, Made In Chelsea star Jamie Laing and singer HRVY to win the coveted Glitterball Trophy.

Reflecting on his time on the dance floor, Bill told Metro: 'Once you’ve been part of it, it’s almost like you’re then connected with everyone who’s ever been on the show.’

He added: ‘It’s such an intense experience. You feel like you’re in a kind of club, almost like a special brotherhood I suppose. It feels like that.’

It comes as the beloved dance competition recently underwent a major reshuffle, with five familiar faces leaving the series in what fans have described as a 'bloodbath'.

Those exiting the ballroom include Karen Hauer, Gorka Márquez, Nadiya Bychkova, Luba Mushtuk and Michelle Tsiakkas, marking one of the biggest cast shake-ups in recent years.

Fellow professional dancer Aljaž Škorjanec broke his silence, addressing his future on Strictly.

In particular, he shared his thoughts on the changes for the first time and spoke about what the shake-up could mean for his own role. 

Speaking to the Mirror, he said: 'It's always sad to see someone go, but it's equally exciting to see new faces, fresh energy, and people who bring something different.'

Sharing if he plans to return this year, Aljaz said: 'They don't announce the names of dancers returning until it's confirmed.

'Whatever the Strictly bosses do, it's in the interest of the show, and we always support their decisions.'

Elsewhere, Karen Hauer returned to social media following her axe from Strictly Come Dancing as fans have hit out at her culling.

The professional dancer, 43, is said to be 'distraught' after receiving news from BBC bosses that her contract would not be renewed.

Karen, who is the longest-serving female dancer on the show, has now returned to social media to share low-key snaps with her dogs.

She could be seen in her dressing gown and slippers as she enjoyed cuddles with her furry companions.

Going makeup-free in the captures, Karen enjoyed a coffee as she played with her dogs.

She captioned the snaps: 'Joey & Marley working the camera. Too early for Phoebe and I to be bothered.'

While Karen is yet to break her silence on her axing, fans flooded her with supportive messages as they criticised producers' decision to drop her from the dance floor.

One said: 'So sorry Karen, loved seeing you on Strictly over the years'; 'That's it. No more Strictly for me without you. Cannot possibly understand why they're letting you go';

'Very disappointed to read the news, you and Gorka are utterly joyful. Sending much love and hope the news is wrong. Another mess up by the Beeb IMHO';

'As the others say if it’s true that you’re not on strictly this year I am very sad, The BBC must be mad';

'It's disgusting how the strictly producers have treated the longest serving professional dancer sorry but you were always my favourite strictly dancer';

'I just saw the news. Legit question, has someone behind the scenes of strictly had a sudden mental breakdown and now they are sacking everyone?'

Karen, who joined Strictly in 2012, was informed of the decision to not renew her contract days ago.

It comes after Nadiya, 36, Michelle, 30, Luba, 36, and Gorka, 35, were also axed from the series, with sources claiming all of the Strictly pros are already aware of their fate.

One insider told the Daily Mail: 'Karen is the latest professional dancer to be told her contract will not be renewed this year.

'It's very much a case of out with the old and in with the new. As the longest-serving female dancer, Karen found out last week that her time on Strictly is over.'

A second source added: 'It's an awful fate for the professional dancers who have dedicated their careers to the show.

'Karen was obviously very upset after being told the news, but she is trying to remain positive about the future. She works as a choreographer and knows she can focus more on that, as well as her work in the fitness industry.

'It's also looking increasingly likely that Aljaž Škorjanec will not return, while Carlos Gu and Johannes Radebe have been given the green light to stay.'

Karen's last celebrity partner on the series was Gladiator star Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, while the year before she danced with former footballer Paul Merson and, in 2023, comedian Eddie Kadi.