Strictly Come Dancing has confirmed that it is making a big change to the upcoming series as it announces four new dancers joining the professional line-up. When the BBC One dance contest returns later this year, it will feature a record 20 pros to mark the show's landmark 20th series.
The hit show will once again be bringing glitter, glamour and glorious dancing to homes across the nation in the autumn and will include a number of new world-class dancers.
Completing this year's professional troupe are European cup winner Vito Coppola, Chinese National Champion Carlos Gu, former Under 21 British National Champion Lauren Oakley and Latin dance champion Michelle Tsiakkas.
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The signings come after a number of exits from Strictly were announced earlier in the year. Fans were left gutted when show favourite Aljaz Skorjanec announced that he was quitting after nine years. His exit comes after his wife, Janette Manrara, also left the show as a professional dancer before the 2021 series and became a host of its BBC Two spin-off, It Takes Two.
Aljaz's announcement also came weeks after Oti Mabuse, who has lifted the Glitterball trophy twice during her seven years on the show, also announced she was set to leave after bagging a place on the Dancing On Ice judging panel and landing her own ITV dating show.
Strictly has now doubled their replacements to join the professional dancers already revealed for the upcoming series. They are Dianne Buswell, Nadiya Bychkova, Graziano Di Prima, Amy Dowden, Karen Hauer, Katya Jones, Neil Jones, Nikita Kuzmin, Cameron Lombard, Gorka Marquez, Luba Mushtuk, Giovanni Pernice, Jowita Przystal, Johannes Radebe, Kai Widdrington and Nancy Xu.
Vito Coppola said of joining the show: "I am really excited to become part of this family. I cannot wait to start this new adventure and to challenge myself. Strictly sto arrivando! (or: Strictly I am coming)!" Carlos Gu commented: "I'm thrilled to join Strictly and very excited to get started. It’s a new chapter of my life and a new challenge as well. I’m absolutely ready to take on this journey and to shine."
Lauren Oakley shared: "I’ve grown up watching Strictly, always hoping that one day I could be part of the best show on television, doing what I love the most. Now that it’s happening, it doesn’t quite seem real. I can’t wait to start this new sequined adventure and join this incredible family."
Michelle Tsiakkas added: "Being a professional dancer on Strictly Come Dancing has been my dream ever since I was a little girl. I cannot believe my dream has come true! I’m so grateful to be joining this incredible family and I can’t wait to step on that magical dance floor and give it my all!"
It comes after Vito appeared to have already confirmed his appearance before the official announcement. In a new interview on Italian TV with Ballando host Milly Carlucci, Vito suggested he'd be heading to the UK and competing for the glitterball very soon.
"It was a sudden thing, I’m putting my ideas in order, but I’m happy and I can’t wait," said the 30-year-old dance champion." He added: "[The BBC] were very fascinated by what we did at Ballando , they saw the videos, what we create. Thanks to you, Milly, and all the Ballando family, who have rooted for me."
Here's what Strictly fans need to know about the new signings:
Vito Coppola
11-time Italian Latin American Champion Vito Coppola began dancing at the age of 6 and by the age of 10 was winning national championships. His career highlights include being a 3-time World Championship finalist and European Cup Winner. In 2021 he left the competition world as one of its highest ranking athletes to explore on screen opportunities, most recently competing in and winning Ballando con le Stelle, the Italian version of Strictly Come Dancing.
Carlos Gu
Chinese National Champion Carlos Gu is a dancer at the very top of his game. He is a multiple world semi-finalist, placed 3rd at the German Open Championship and became Amateur Latin Rising Star Runner Up at the 2017 UK Open. With further experience in ballroom, ballet and contemporary dance, Carlos brings a wealth of dance knowledge to the Strictly ballroom.
Lauren Oakley
Birmingham-born Lauren Oakley started dancing at just 2 years old and began competing soon after. Early successes include becoming Juvenile Champion at the prestigious Blackpool Dance Festival, winning across both Ballroom and Latin disciplines. She was also crowned Under 21 British National Champion before exploring a career on stage. She has toured all over the world and most recently has been leading lady to Giovanni Pernice and Anton Du Beke in their national tours.
Michelle Tsiakkas
Latin dance champion Michelle Tsiakkas first started dancing at the age of 6 in her home country of Cyprus. There she became an undefeated champion, winning national titles consecutively from 2001-2011 before moving to London to study. Whilst in the UK she continued to compete, representing England at major international championships before joining the world touring dance show Burn The Floor.
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