A former Strictly Come Dancing pro has revealed how his mental health suffered after he was unexpectedly axed from the show.
Cameron Lombard joined the BBC dance competition in 2021 along with Nikita Kuzmin, Jowita Przystał, and Kai Widdrington.
While Cameron was not given a celebrity partner in his first series, he frequently featured in group numbers and as a dancer for guest performances.
However, fans were given a surprise in 2023 when the professional line-up for the forthcoming series was confirmed, and Cameron’s name was not featured.
Reflecting on his exit, the 23-year-old South African Latin champion has now shared that he sank into a ‘deep depression’ after his Strictly journey came to a premature end.
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Taking to Instagram tonight, the star shared a smiley photo of himself at an airport, carrying a suitcase.
His caption began: ‘A year ago, my world shifted when I didn’t make the Strictly Come Dancing lineup. What followed was a battle with deep depression, trying to fill the emptiness that success once occupied.
‘But in that darkness, I found my true strength. Setbacks don’t break us—they shape us. With the unwavering love and support from my wife, my incredible family and a fire inside me that will never die, I’m entering a new chapter.’
Cameron went on to announce that he is moving to Miami, an opportunity he describes as a ‘rebirth’.
‘Here, I will not just dance; I will create, inspire, and leave a mark that can’t be erased,’ he declared.
‘To those who believed in me, you were my anchor. To the doubters, you make me laugh on the toughest of nights,’ Cameron continued in a motivational speech.
‘This journey has tested me, but every fall has only made me rise higher. This is more than a personal triumph; it is a celebration of resilience, of the human spirit’s capacity to overcome. It is proof that when we fall, we can rise again, stronger and more determined.
‘My journey has been one of highs and lows, but every step has led me to this moment. A moment filled with possibility, with life, with passion.’
He concluded by vowing that ‘the best is yet to come’, not solely for him but ‘for anyone who’s ever been knocked down’.
‘We rise, we conquer, and we thrive,’ he stated. ‘Together, let’s dance through life with passion, resilience, and an unyielding belief in our dreams.’
The likes soon flooded in, including from former Strictly star Clara Amfo and current judge Motsi Mabuse.
Offering words of encouragement in the comments, Motsi wrote: ‘❤️❤️ keep going’.
Katya Jones, who has been a Strictly pro since 2016, also commented: ‘🙌 good luck Cameron’.
In 2023, when Cameron’s Strictly departure was confirmed, a BBC spokesperson said: ‘Cameron is a fantastic performer, and we have loved working with him for the past two years on Strictly.
‘He is currently pursuing other opportunities but will always be part of the family and our door will always be open to him in the future.’
In his own social media post, Cameron expressed his gratitude, describing his two years on Strictly as ‘a blast’ and thanking the programme for a ‘life-changing opportunity’.
‘I will forever be grateful, and I’ve loved every minute, danced on the world’s biggest stages, met the world’s best fans, performed for thousands of people as well as millions watching around the world and have made friends for life that I’ll cherish forever,’ he wrote.
Strictly then returned to screens this weekend with a new line-up of celebs, including Nick Knowles, Chris McCausland, Tasha Ghouri, JB Gill, Sarah Hadland, Pete Wicks, Wynne Evans, and Jamie Borthwick.
All pros returned, bar Giovanni Pernice and Graziano Di Prima, who are currently at the centre of misconduct allegations which, after their denials, are being investigated by the BBC.
Amy Dowden was also back after a year of breast cancer treatment, and, in a Strictly first, Aljaž Škorjanec made a comeback after quitting his role in 2021.
The BBC has been contacted for comment.
Strictly Come Dancing airs Saturday and Sunday on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
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