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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Amy Denman

Strictly Come Dancing professionals dazzle in new photos ahead of new celebrity pairings

Strictly Come Dancing's professional dancers have posed in a set of dazzling new photos ahead of the new series, which launches this weekend.

A number of professionals with experience from previous series join four new dancers in the 2022 series after Oti Mabuse and Aljaž Škorjanec departed from the show.

Vito Coppola, Carlo Gu, Lauren Oakley and Michelle Tsiakkas make up the four fresh faces joining the epic BBC dancing competition this year.

Meanwhile, a number of familiar faces are seen posing in the new images, which show the dancers posing around the steps of the Strictly set.

Niel Jones, who is dating Love Islander Chyna Mills, Gionvanni Pernice, who won last year's competition with Rose Ayling-Ellis, lead the lads who are all dressed in dapper, black velour tuxedo jackets with a white shirt, black bow tie and black trousers.

The Strictly Come Dancing professionals gather for a glamorous group photo (BBC/Guy Levy)

Kai Widdrington, Cameron Lombard, Nikita Kuzmin, Gorka Marquez and Graziano DiPrima are all seen posing in the group photo.

Meanwhile, Johannes Radebe takes centre stage in the image, as he poses at the front of the photo with Dianne Buswell.

Each of the female professionals are dressed in stunning gowns with sequinned tops and colourful skirts either in orange, pink, yellow or lilac.

Nadiya Bychkova, Amy Dowden, Dianne, Jowita Przystał, Kauren Hauer, Nancy Xu, Luba Mushtuk and Katya Jones all looked stunning as they posed in the gowns alongside the male dancers.

The male dancers look dapper in black suits with velour jackets (BBC/Guy Levy)

As BBC's Strictly Come Dancing's official Instagram account shared the group shot, they penned in the caption: " #Strictly Pros, assemble! ".

Meanwhile, the BBC also released two other group shots showing the men gathered in front of the iconic stairs and the women posing on the Strictly steps.

It comes as the professional dancers prepare to find out who they are partnered with this year.

The women looked stunning in colourful dresses with sequinned tops (BBC/Guy Levy)
Helen Skelton is joining the celebrity lineup this year (Getty Images)

A new set of celebrities are set to join forces with the pros to compete for the Glitterball trophy this year.

The star-studded lineup includes Loose Women's Kaye Adams, Will Mellor, Kym Marsh and Ellie Simmonds.

Helen Skelton was the final star to be announced as part of this year's celebrity lineup.

Speaking about her new challenge ahead of the show, Helen said: "I’m really excited to get stuck into a fun adventure. My family and friends have always loved the show and can’t wait for me to get started."

Gorka recently discussed the gruelling schedule (PA)
The professional dancers will discover their pairings on Wednesday in a pre-recorded show which will air on Saturday (BBC/Guy Levy)

Meanwhile, the professional dancers are working seven days a week to ensure their performances are TV ready.

The dancers are filming a pre-recorded show on Wednesday, which will air on Saturday, where the dancers will be paired with their celebrity.

Gorka, Nikita, Nancy and Nadiya shared their gruelling schedules with OK! Magazine.

Gorka revealed the months working on the show are incredibly gruelling as he said: "The pros don’t get a day off.

"Sunday is our resting day but then we have to choreograph and plan next week’s numbers.

"I know that for the next five months I’ll never switch off, just when I sleep. And sometimes I only sleep for two hours as I can’t switch off."

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