Ore Oduba has known "for a while" that Joanne Clifton was going to quit ‘Strictly Come Dancing’.
The 31-year-old sports presenter won the ballroom and latin show with the professional dancer last year and the pair have remained in contact ever since, so it’s hardly surprising that the blonde beauty confided in him when she was toying with the idea of walking away from the programme.
Speaking on ‘Good Morning Britain’ on Thursday (22.06.17), he said: "I’ve known about this for a while. Here is a girl who has achieved such great things in everything she’s done; she was world ballroom champion, she won the ‘Strictly’ glitterball trophy and now she is embarking on a new adventure. She is going to be in the West End! She is going to be absolutely smashing it night after night on stage and we are all so proud of her. What she has done is so brave, jumping off a great show like ‘Strictly’ into this new world. We are wishing her all the best."
Joanne – the sister of fellow professional Kevin Clifton – announced she was leaving the programme after just one series on Wednesday (21.06.17) to explore other things.
But she wasn’t the only one to quit as Ukrainian ballroom and latin dancer Oksana Platero has also left the show, with Natalie Lowe having already confirmed her departure from ‘Strictly’
The trio of female professionals are being replaced by Dianne Buswell, from Australia, Nadiya Bychkova, from Ukraine and Amy Dowden, from Wales.
Nadiya – who is a two-time World Champion and European Champion in Ballroom and Latin ’10’ Dance – previously competed on the Bosnian version of ‘Strictly’ and she is looking forward to impressing the UK fans.
She said: "I’m extremely happy to be joining the ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ family this year.
"One of my biggest dreams is to be part of this great show and I can’t wait to get started."
Dianne, who previously appeared on ‘Dancing with the Stars Australia’, revealed she is excited by the opportunity to demonstrate her talents on the BBC show.
She shared: "What an honour it is to be a part of ‘Strictly Come Dancing’.
"Words can’t describe how excited I am to take on this amazing challenge and give it my everything."
And Amy, the current British National Champion, is similarly enthusiastic about the prospect.
She said: "Becoming a professional dancer on ‘Strictly Come Dancing’
has made my wildest dreams come true, it does not feel real.
"I have always been proud of my Welsh roots and feel so honoured to be the first Welsh professional dancer on the most loved show on TV."
Ore Oduba knew Joanne Clifton was quitting Strictly Come Dancing
