Four new professional dancers are set to join the Strictly Come Dancing line-up when the BBC competition returns to our screens later this year. The 20th series of the hit show will see two new male dancers and two new female dancers paired with celebrity contestants.
Vito Coppola, Carlos Gu will be joining the male professionals challenging for the Glitterball Trophy. Meanwhile, Michelle Tsiakkas and Lauren Oakley are also set to become household names among Strictly fans by joining the female pros.
The four new additions will join seasoned pros 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 as part of the biggest line-up in Strictly history, The Mirror reports . Here’s a bit more about each of the new dancers.
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Vito Coppo la
European cup winner Vito starred in the Italian version of Strictly, Ballando con le Stelle, and even won the competition last year. According to his Instagram page, the star is also an 11-time Latin American champion, leaving his dancing skills in little doubt.
“I am really excited to become part of this family,” Vito said of his coveted new gig. “I cannot wait to start this new adventure and to challenge myself. Strictly sto arrivando, or: Strictly I am coming.”
Carlos Gu
A multiple world semi-finalist and Chinese National Champion, Carlos is the second new male pro joining the line-up. He said: “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.”
Michelle Tsiakkas
Latin dance champion Michelle previously toured the world with ‘Ultimate Ballroom Sensation’ theatre show Burn The Floor, which also starred former Strictly pro Kevin Clifton. She previously represented England at major international championships.
Michelle is just as excited as her new colleagues to be joining the show. She said of her thrilling new job: “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.”
Lauren Oakley
Another Burn The Floor star, Lauren has been dancing since the age of two and has competed in ballroom and Latin dance competitions since she was just seven. The Birmingham star, who is a former Under 21 British National Champion, will have no problem fitting into the Strictly family - she has recently starred in Giovanni Pernice and Anton Du Beke’s Him & Me tour, dancing with both of the seasoned Strictly pros.
As a long-time fan of the show herself, Lauren shared her excitement at joining the show. “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,” she said.
“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.”
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