Bruno Tonioli has thrown his support behind the BBC's controversial decision to remove several professional dancers from Strictly Come Dancing, arguing that the shake-up is essential for the programme's continued success.
The 70-year-old former judge drew parallels between dance and athletics when explaining his stance on the departures.
"Dancing is like sport, there's a point when you know to have the best team you have to get the best players. It's nothing personal," he told the Daily Mail.
Mr Tonioli, who spent years on the judging panel, emphasised that physical limitations inevitably affect performers.
"I've been a dancer, I know what it's like. There's a point when you say I cannot do it. Your body can't perform at the same level.
"There is nothing nasty about it," he added.
The mass exodus has seen five established professionals dropped from the programme's roster.
Karen Hauer, 43, Gorka Marquez, 35, Nadiya Bychkova, 36, Michelle Tsiakkas, 30, and Luba Mushtuk, 36, have all been let go despite their years of service on the ballroom competition.
The sweeping changes have provoked significant anger among the show's fanbase.
Viewers have labelled the extensive cull a "bloodbath", with many expressing dismay at losing dancers who had become familiar faces on the Saturday night programme.
Mr Tonioli stressed that refreshing the cast is fundamental to the programme's longevity.
"Things need to be kept up to date, and you have to have new blood, new people, opportunities," he stated.
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The veteran entertainer argued that emerging talent deserves their moment in the spotlight.
"There's a whole new generation that needs exposure, and that's one of the great things that this show does," he explained.
"It's showbusiness; if it was easy, everyone would do it."
The BBC has retained a substantial roster of professionals for the upcoming series.
These include Dianne Buswell, Nancy Xu, Vito Coppola, Amy Dowden, Katya Jones, Neil Jones, Nikita Kuzmin, Jowita Przystał, Aljaž Škorjanec, and Kai Widdrington, among others.
Bosses have allegedly prioritised keeping dancers with substantial social media followings in an effort to attract younger audiences.
Fresh faces will also be joining the programme, with American dancer D'angelo Castro, 25, understood to be in discussions with executives.
The Dancing With The Stars performer, who boasts a significant online presence, met with show bosses during a UK visit earlier this year.
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