A former Strictly Come Dancing professional has revealed some of the major changes she'd make to the long-running show ahead of a huge show shake-up. Last October, longstanding hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly announced their departure from the show after 21 years at the helm. The presenting duo bid farewell to the glamorous BBC ballroom during the Christmas Day special, where they performed one final routine for fans tuning in at home.

While BBC bosses go on the hunt for the next hosts of the beloved reality show, former pro dancer Ola Jordan has revealed what big changes she would make to the programme this autumn. Speaking in a recent interview with Mecca Bingo, the mum-of-one, who spent 10 years on the show, admitted the programme is in desperate need of "fresh blood".

Warning some professionals that they looked "a bit bored" last year, she suggested a major overhaul of the professional cast and hinted some fan favourites shouldn't return for the new series. She began: "Bringing someone like Alexis [Warr] into the show last year was amazing.

"Some of the lifts she did, I couldn't do, and you've got to be honest with yourself. It just shows that bringing fresh blood into the show freshens things up. There are so many amazing dancers out there, and they should be bringing more in.

"Some professionals looked a bit bored last year. They're not really bringing much to the table anymore. At the beginning, there's excitement and drive; you work really hard. But after 10 years, you think, 'I've done it all. I've won. I've had difficult partners. What else can I bring?'

"Some of them feel like that but are scared to leave because life after the show is very different. But as an audience, you can see when people are over it." The TV personality added that these changes could come to the judging panel too, as well as looking at the format of the show, which is in need of an update.

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Ola explained: "I do agree with a big shake-up. It's already going to change because of the presents, but let's shake it all up. Let's do big things. I think it's time. I think people are getting slightly bored, and the viewing figures are dropping. Let's shake it up and do something different.

"I would definitely change some professional dancers. I'd change some judges. Shake it up properly. I'd also maybe change the voting system. You can't have ties on the leaderboard - the judges need to decide who's done better and rank them accordingly.

"I'd bring back the bottom two going to a public vote, like it used to be. Don't have a dance-off. You had your chance to dance; people voted. Who's the weakest link? Go back to that. Really change it up." It comes after one of the show's most beloved professionals was reportedly saved from the chop after the brutal axe of five pro dancers.

Claims that Nadiya Bychkova, Luba Mushtuk, Gorka Marquez, Michelle Tsiakkas and Karen Haur have been axed by BBC bosses emerged last week, but now someone else has reportedly renewed their contract. MailOnline claims Katya Jones has been handed a lifeline while her co-stars face the chopping block, with bosses reportedly granting her a contract extension.

A source told the publication: "She is not leaving, Katya is remaining on Strictly, the bosses think she's a legend. They know how much viewers love her, and they are also in awe of her choreography talents."