Three new professional dancers have joined ‘Strictly Come Dancing’.
Italian Latin Champion Graziano Di Prima, South African Latin Champion Johannes Radebe and Luba Mushtuk, the four-time winner of the Italian Dance Championship, will appear on the BBC One show when it returns later this year hosted by Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman
Graziano said: "This is my dream come true! I still can’t believe I will be one of the professional dancers on Strictly Come Dancing. I can’t wait to give all of myself on the dance floor!"
Whilst Johannes added: "Joining Strictly Come Dancing is one of the greatest achievements of my dancing career. It is such an honour to be chosen to be a part of an incredible cast and be part of one of the biggest shows that is celebrated worldwide. I cannot wait to get started and experience the magic with the UK!"
AJ Pritchard, Aljaž Škorjanec, Amy Dowden and Dianne Buswell will also return alongside Giovanni Pernice, Gorka Marquez, Janette Manrara and Katya Jones. Former couple Karen and Kevin Clifton are also confirmed to be returning to the show alongside Nadiya Bychkova, Neil Jones, Oti Mabuse and Pasha Kovalev. Fan favourite Anton Du Beke completes the line up of 18 professionals.
Brendan Cole and Chloe Hewitt will not be returning this year.
Louise Rainbow, Executive Producer of Strictly Come Dancing, said: "This is the biggest line-up of pros that we’ve ever had on Strictly. We are so lucky to have such an array of talent. A huge thank you goes to Brendan from all of us for 15 amazing series of Strictly. We wish him all the very best with his future projects. We would also like to thank Chloe and wish her well."
Whilst Kate Phillips, Controller, Entertainment Commissioning, added: "There is no other show quite like Strictly Come Dancing, and the last series proved that becoming the most popular Strictly to date. Our celebrity contestants this year are going to have to work harder than ever to keep up with our biggest and best professional dancer line-up yet, in what promises to be another dazzling and unforgettable series."
Strictly Come Dancing confirms professional line up
