Brian Fortuna steps out of Strictly Come Dancing
- 14 years ago
Brian Fortuna has quit Strictly Come Dancing after BBC bosses demoted him to bring in new talent.
Fortuna was one of several regular dancers on the show to be asked to perform professional-only routines in the next series, rather than dance with celebrities.
But the 27- year-old has turned down the offer to be in the new 'professional dance troop', and has instead decided to leave the programme and concentrate on his new stage show Burn The Floor.
In his role Fortuna performs with his girlfriend Ali Bastian. The pair met on Strictly last year when they were paired together.
Changes to Strictly's format are believed to have been introduced in order to compete with ITV1's The X Factor, after ratings slumped last year.
Other changes planned include reducing the number of celebrity contestants from 16 to 14.
The other professional dancers are now said to be considering their positions on the show after what they allegedly regard as a blatant snub after years of service.