Strictly Come Dancing has introduced us to a legion of professional dancers over its two decades dazzling up our screens, and unless they're involved in some sort of Strictly scandal (not naming names), we often don't get to know them right away – all dance and no chat kind of vibes.
So let's start rectifying that today by getting to know fierce Strictly pro, Nancy Xu.
Who is Nancy Xu?
Nancy is a dancer and choreographer who specialises in Latin.
She has taken part in various competitions, including the Under 21 World Championships in 2010.
In 2015, she began dancing in Burn the Floor, a dance show on Broadway and in the West End, which some of her Strictly cast mates have also danced in, including Karen Hauer and Johannes Radebe.
How old is Nancy Xu?
Nancy is 32 years old. She was born on 30 July 1991.
Is Nancy Xu married?
No, she’s not, but she is in a relationship with bodyguard Mikee Michele.
Mikee also practices martial arts and, like his girlfriend, is a choreographer. Power couple vibes, basically.
What is Nancy Xu's real name?
Her full name is Nancy Xu YouJie.
What is Nancy Xu's nationality?
Nancy is Chinese. She was born in Hunan, China.
When did Nancy Xu join Strictly?
She has been on Strictly since the seventeenth series in 2019.
Who is Nancy Xu's dance partner?
For Strictly 2023, Nancy was paired with English presenter and actor, Les Dennis.
What happened with Nancy Xu and Les Dennis?
Nancy and Les were the first pair to be eliminated from series 21 of Strictly. While it was a short stint, Les had a lot of admiration for Nancy, saying, "This lady has been amazing, a great teacher, she’s really put me through my paces."
Will Nancy Xu be on the Strictly Christmas Special?
It has been announced that yes, Nancy will appear on the Christmas Special of the beloved show. She has been paired with EastEnders star, Jamie Borthwick, who has played Jay Brown for almost two decades on the soap.
Jamie says, "I am so excited to be joining the cast of this year's Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special. From Walford to a Waltz, I can’t wait to learn a new skill and put my dancing to the test. I’m hoping to spread Christmas cheer and have a good laugh with my professional dancer…get me on that dancefloor!”
Who did Nancy Xu dance with last year?
During the 2022 series, Nancy was partnered with actor Will Mellor. It was the second time that she’d been paired with a celebrity. The first time was in 2021 when she was coupled up with CBBC presenter Rhys Stephenson. The first two years of her stint saw her be a part of the Strictly pro dance troupe.
Is Nancy Xu on Instagram?
Yep. You can follow her on Instagram at @nancy_xuxi.