Strictly Come Dancing has confirmed that four new professional dancers will join the line-up when the series returns in the autumn. In total, 20 professional dancers are set to compete in 2022.
The four new world class dancers completing this year’s 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.
The popular dancing series, hosted by Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, has been running since 2004. In the autumn, Strictly will return for it's 20th series. Whilst celebrities have yet to be confirmed, read on for the full list of professional dancers who will feature in the series.
Read more: BBC Strictly Come Dancing star Amy Dowden's fairytale wedding to long-term partner Ben Jones
Which professional dancers will take part in Strictly Come Dancing this year?
Dianne Buswell
Fresh from her Wim Hof training, Dianne returns to Strictly for her sixth year. Luck wasn't on Dianne's side in 2021, as partner Robert Webb had to leave the series on medical grounds. You can read more about that here. Previously, the red-headed beauty has been partnered with the likes of Max George, Rev. Richard Coles and her current boyfriend, Joe Sugg.
Nadiya Bychkova
Partnered with new 5News presenter, Dan Walker, in 2021, the pair defied the odds and were continually voted for in the competition. But will Nadiya have the same luck this year?
Graziano Di Prima
An alumni of series 16 of Strictly, Graziano returned to dance in last year's series, partnered with Loose Women star, Judi Love. The pair were eliminated in week six.
Amy Dowden
This Strictly star has been making headlines this week following her marriage to Ben Jones and now, Amy Dowden has been confirmed to return for this year's series. The dancer, born in Caerphilly, has been on the show since 2017.
Karen Hauer
Karen Hauer also returns in 2022. Prior to her appearance on Strictly Come Dancing in series 10 (where she was partnered with Nicky Byrne), she appeared on the American series - So You Think You Can Dance? She is one of the longest-serving professional dancers on the series.
Katya Jones
Winner of the 2017 series of Strictly, Katya Jones has been partnered with the likes of Ed Balls, Joe McFadden and Seann Walsh. She has also appeared on many of the Strictly Come Dancing tours.
Neil Jones
Katya's ex-husband, Neil Jones, also joins the line-up of the 2022 series of Strictly Come Dancing. He joined the series in 2016.
Nikita Kuzmin
He's the dancer that has (more than likely) been invited for a meal at Gordon Ramsay's house... Nikita Kuzmin, who partnered with Gordon's daughter Tilly Ramsay last year, returns for the 2022 series.
Cameron Lombard
A newbie to Strictly, Cameron Lombard didn't receive a partner during his debut series last year. Despite this, he made multiple appearances on Strictly: It Takes Two. But is this year, the year for him?
Gorka Marquez
Everyone loves Gorka, right? It hasn't been the best of years for this professional dancer, as he had to drop out of Strictly's tour due to injury. He is set to return to the dancefloor in the autumn though.
Luba Mushtuk
Russian-born Luba has had two partners during her four series' of Strictly. Her most recent was in 2020, when she danced with American football player, Jason Bell. The pair came 15th in the competition.
Giovanni Pernice
2021 was a great year for Giovanni, having won Strictly with Rose Ayling-Ellis. Here's hoping that 2022 is just as successful for him. This year's series marks the eighth time that the dancer has appeared on Strictly Come Dancing.
Jowita Przystal
In 2020, Jowita appeared on The Greatest Dancer. She was crowned winner of the second series. The prize was £50,000 and an opportunity to perform on the next series of Strictly. In 2021, Jowita joined the 19th series of Strictly Come Dancing as a professional. She returns to the dancefloor in the autumn.
Johannes Radebe
In 2021, Johannes made history as he was paired with John Whaite in Strictly Come Dancing's first all-male coupling. The pair, ultimately, were runner-ups on the series. It remains to be seen if Johannes will be partnered with a man or a woman in the next series of Strictly...
Kai Widdrington
Poor Kai... Unfortunately for the dancer, his partner, presenter AJ Odudu, suffered an injury in the week of the final. Fingers crossed that Kai will return this year in fine form.
Nancy Xu
Partnered with Rhys Stephenson in last year's Strictly Come Dancing, Nancy Xu had a successful year in the competition. She finished in fourth place. Could 2022 be the year that Nancy grasps hold of the iconic Glitterball?
And the newbies...
Vito Coppola
This isn't newcomer Vito Coppola's first foray into Strictly as he has previously appeared in Italy's version - Ballando con le Stelle. The dancer, who is fluent in English, Russian and Spanish, won his inaugural series in 2021 with singer Arisa. The pair embarked on a romantic relationship after being hit by the famous "Strictly curse".
Of joining the UK series, Vito said: “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
Carlos Gu is certainly qualified for his new role as he is a multiple world semi-finalist and placed third at the German Open Championship. He became Amateur Latin Rising Star Runner Up at the 2017 UK Open.
Carlos 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.”
Lauren Oakley
Lauren Oakley, who is from Birmingham, started dancing at just two years old. Her early successes have included becoming Juvenile Champion at the prestigious Blackpool Dance Festival, winning across both Ballroom and Latin disciplines. Lauren was also crowned Under 21 British National Champion before exploring a career on stage.
Lauren has toured all over the world and most recently has been leading lady to fellow Strictly stars, Giovanni Pernice and Anton Du Beke, in their national tours. She said of joining Strictly: “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
Latin dance champion Michelle Tsiakkas first started dancing at the age of six in her home country of Cyprus. It was here that she became an undefeated champion and won a number of national titles. Whilst in the UK she has continued to compete and represented England at major international championships before joining the world touring dance show Burn The Floor.
Tsiakkas said of joining Strictly: “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!”
Strictly Come Dancing returns for its 20th series this autumn on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
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