Oh no – one of our favourite pro dancers has quit Strictly!

strictly

by Emma Dodds |
Published on

Professional dancer Natalie Lowe has left Strictly Come Dancing after seven years

Not only is Strictly Come Dancing losing nation's sweetheart Len Goodman after he announced his retirement last year, but it is now losing one of it's longest-serving professional dancers, too!

Natalie Lowe, who has been a Strictly stalwart for the last seven years, has decided against renewing her contract with the BBC show for the 2017 series.

Natalie, 37, has never won the ballroom dancing show, coming close in second place with Hollyoaks' Ricky Whittle in 2009.

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Natalie joined Strictly in 2009 (Credit: BBC/ Strictly Come Dancing) ©BBC/ Strictly Come Dancing

Speaking to the Press Association about her decision not to come back to Strictly, the Australian dancer described it as a "difficult decision" that she'd had to make: "It is with a very heavy heart that I have arrived at this decision.

"I'll be forever grateful for the amazing time, opportunities and memories that Strictly has created for me. My time on the programme has been everything that I dreamed it would be and more.

"From the friendships I developed, the amazing dances I was able to perform in and the experiences that Strictly provided, it has been an incredible and extraordinary adventure."

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She was good friends with Len Goodman, who has also left the show (Credit: Twitter/ Natalie Lowe) ©Twitter/ Natalie Lowe

Oh Natalie :(

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The Australian dancer was paired with Ainslie Harriott in 2015 (Credit: Getty Images) ©Getty Images

She's also tweeted her sorrow at leaving the programme, writing: "It was a very difficult decision to turn down the invitation to dance on the next @bbcstrictly. Your kind messages & support overwhelms me.

"But it's all about you at home! Your support continually inspires me to do what I love. You help me keep my dream alive and I love that!

"I want to personally thank everyone who has worked with me on @bbcstrictly I couldn't have done what I did without each & every one of you."

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Natalie was paired with Olympic athlete Greg Rutherford last year (Credit: Twitter/ Natalie Lowe) ©Twitter/ Natalie Lowe

You can watch some of Natalie's best bits below.

Are you sad to see Natalie go? Let us know over on Facebook and Twitter.

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