Strictly has unveiled the pro dance line-up for this year's series and it features a world champion, but not Gleb Savchenko
The BBC today unveiled the new Strictly Come Dancing professional dancer line-up which includes three new dancers, but not the fans' favourite Gleb Savchenko.
New to Strictly are world-class Latin and Ballroom dance experts including world champion Katya Jones, Ukrainian champion Oksana Platero and Spanish professional Gorka Marquez.
Katya (pictured) said: “I am so privileged to be joining Strictly Come Dancing. I know it is extremely intense, but so am I! I am fierce, fabulous, and would love to win!”
Gorka said: “I feel very excited and grateful to be joining Strictly Come Dancing and to be one of the professional dancers for the new series. It’s something that every dancer dreams of and something that I always wanted to have the opportunity to do.”
Returning to the Strictly dance floor are male dancers Anton du Beke, Brendan Cole, Kevin Clifton, Pasha Kovalev, Aljaž Škorjanec, Giovanni Pernice; and the fabulous female dancers returning are Karen Clifton, Natalie Lowe, Joanne Clifton, Janette Manrara and Oti Mabuse.
Louise Rainbow, executive producer of Strictly Come Dancing said, “We are delighted with our professional dancer line-up this year and we welcome three new stunning dancers to our Strictly family. Our most recent series was a terrific one for Strictly, winning both an NTA and BAFTA Television Award, and we are all so excited to build on that and look forward to yet another brilliant and entertaining series.”
Gleb said" “I thoroughly enjoyed taking part in the last series of Strictly Come Dancing and especially the way that the UK gave me such a warm welcome, but due to family commitments I won't be returning to the show for the next series – I'll definitely be tuning in though.”
Other professional dancers to join the Strictly family will be announced in due course.
The show returns to BBC One in the autumn when the celebrity line-up will also be revealed.
