Saturday, October 17, 2026

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Will Young says quitting Strictly Come Dancing was ‘the best thing he’s done’

Will Young thinks quitting ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ was the "best thing [he’s] ever done".

The 41-year-old pop star quit the BBC show in abrupt fashion back in 2016, and Will has now confessed he felt "trapped" and was "burnt out" during his time on ‘Strictly’.

Speaking on the ‘Media Masters’ podcast, Will shared: "I took a week off because it was too much. I was burnt out.

"The good thing is now that the climate’s changed, you know, a producer cannot go, ‘That’s not good enough.’

"So when I wanted to take a week off, I went to my psychiatrist, said, ‘I just need you to write a note, basically, because they’re going to need it for their insurance or whatever,’ write the note, went in, ‘Here’s the note, I’m off for a week.’"

Will was partnered with Karen Hauer on ‘Strictly’, but lost his reported £100,000 fee for appearing on the show when he decided to quit after just three weeks.

At the time, it was speculated that Will walked away due to an on-screen spat with judge Len Goodman.

Prior to Will’s exit, Len told him to "turn up, keep up and shut up".

However, when Will announced he was quitting the show, he insisted he loved his ‘Strictly’ experience.

He said: "To be part of ‘Strictly’ has been a long-time ambition of mine. As a performer, a viewer, and a fan of the show, to dance as a contestant was an experience I always hoped for.

"I have made some great friends, and am in awe of their performances week in, week out. I have found a creative partnership with Karen that has been the most wonderful thing to experience.

"I will be eternally grateful to her for her direction, talent and guiding me through three wonderful dances that I will be able to show my grandkids in years to come.

"I am so grateful to everyone who works on ‘Strictly’ from the lighting designer to catering to the production team. ‘Strictly’ truly is the most unique family and I thank them from the bottom of my heart.

"And finally thank you to the BBC for supporting me throughout my journey. I wish my compatriots so much luck, and although I am back to being a viewer again, I’m certainly going to ‘keeeep dancing’!"

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