Anton Du Beke 'returns' to Strictly panel as he's nowhere to be seen in dancer line-up

Strictly Come Dancing has announced the return of all our favourite professional dancers ahead of the 2022 series later this year - and Anton Du Beke is nowhere to be seen in the line-up.

In recent weeks, there has been much speculation that the 55-year-old professional dancer would return to the dance-floor amid rumours that long-time judge Bruno Tonioli would be making his long-awaited return to the next series of Strictly.

However, it seems that Anton will be returning to the judging panel for another year after Strictly fans fell head over heels for his judging abilities while he filled in for Bruno last year amid the pandemic.

It comes as Strictly 's head judge Shirley Ballas pleaded with BBC bosses to keep Anton on the panel when Bruno Tonioli returns to the show.

Shirley is desperate to have Anton stay on and is determined to make a five-judge panel work, with herself, Bruno, Craig Revel Horwood and Motsi Mabuse, when the show returns in the autumn.

Anton was nowhere to be seen in the dancer line-up (BBC)

She said: “I hope Anton stays, but we could have five seats. I just did the tour with Bruno and he was on point and on form.

“There is nobody like Bruno. He is a force to be reckoned with.”

And following the release of the professional line-up for this years series, fans are delighted.

Nadiya Bychkova, Katya Jones and 2021 series winner Giovanni Pernice are all returning to the hit ballroom show later this year.

Anton was a huge hit with Strictly viewers last series (BBC)

Following the departures of Oti Mabuse and Aljaž Škorjanec - who both recently revealed they were quitting the programme - Strictly bosses have not yet added any new professionals to the lineup.

More returning professionals include Dianne Buswell, Graziano Di Prima, Amy Dowden, Karen Hauer, Neil Jones, Nikita Kuzmin, Cameron Lombard and Gorka Marquez.

Luba Mushtuk, Giovanni Jowita Przystal, Johannes Radebe, Kai Widdrington and Nancy Xu will also be returning to the dancefloor.

Shirley Ballas has pleaded with BBC bosses for a five-judge panel for the 2022 series (PA)

Sarah James, Executive Producer, says: "We could not be more proud of the Strictly professional dancers and we are so happy to have so many returning for 2022.

"The world-class skill and extraordinary care they bring to everything they do, from working with their celebrity partners to choreographing and performing remarkable and unforgettable routines, never ceases to amaze us.

"They really are the best in the business and we can’t wait to see what they bring to the Strictly ballroom for our twentieth fabulous series."