This year’s series of Strictly Come Dancing is fast approaching, and before we even know who’s joined the celebrity line-up (although there’s been a few rumours), there’s been a bit of a shake up.
Len Goodman recently revealed that this would be his last series as he will be leaving the BBC One dance competition and five professional dancers have quit.
It was previously announced that three new dancers - Katya Jones, Gorka Marquez and Oksana Platero – have joined the line-up of familiar faces.
Returning dancers include:
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Anton du Beke
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Brendan Cole
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Kevin Clifton
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Pasha Kovalev
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Aljaž Škorjanec
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Giovanni Pernice
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Karen Clifton
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Natalie Lowe
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Joanne Clifton
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Janette Manrara
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Oti Mabuse
And now THREE more brand new dancers have joined the professionals!
Introducing AJ Pritchard, Chloe Hewitt and Neil Jones:
AJ Pritchard:
AJ is 21-years-old and he and his dance partner Chloe Hewitt won one of the biggest championships in the world. The pair became British Open youth Latin Champions and in the same year they also became European youth Latin Champions!
He said: “Watch out Strictly, here I come, it is going to be amazing and I feel ecstatic!”
Chloe Hewitt:
Chloe is just 20-years-old and will be the youngest ever dancer to take part in Strictly! She was just eight when the BBC show started and decided to take up Ballroom and Latin lessons after watching the show. Chloe and AJ have had a competitive career over their nine years, and became National Youth Latin Champions three years in a row from 2012-2014 in two of the biggest British competitions.
She admitted: “My childhood dream of being on Strictly Come Dancing is now reality! The sheer excitement is exhilarating and I cannot wait to be part of the Strictly family.”
If you're wondering where you've seen AJ and Chloe before - they were also Britian's Got Talent semi-finalists in 2013!
Watch their incredible performance here:
Neil Jones:
Neil is the undefeated four-time British National Champion, and three-time winner of the World Amateur Latin Championships with his wife Katya Jones – who is also joining the show this year.
Neil said on joining the show: "I am so thrilled to be joining the cast of Strictly Come Dancing! As a British dancer I have grown up watching this amazing show, it is a massive honour and I am feeling pumped and excited to be part of the Strictly family."
We can’t wait to see what all the new dancers will bring to the show!
What do you make of the Strictly professional dancers line-up?
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