The 2019 Strictly Come Dancing’s professional dancer line-up for series 17 has been confirmed in full.
Strictly Come Dancing will be waltzing back onto BBC One for its new season this autumn as the NTA and Bafta award-winning entertainment show made by BBC Studios returns with more sparkle, glitz and glamour than ever before.
The professional dancer line up for the upcoming brand new series is now confirmed with a cast of world-class dancers are set to return to the iconic Strictly Come Dancing ballroom.
As was previously announced, Pasha Kovalev is leaving Strictly after eight years. Pasha said of his exit: “After scoring 93 perfect tens, reaching 4 finals and lifting 1 glitter ball, it’s time for me to find a new challenge and so I’ve decided to make last year – my final season on Strictly.
“I’ve had 8 fantastic years, full of wonderful memories, thanks to the incredible partners, professionals and myriad of behind the scenes teams who all work to make Strictly the amazing production that it is.
“The biggest thanks go to all the members of the public who’ve supported me so much over these years – I look forward to seeing you on the Strictly Pro-Tour this spring, and for many future adventures to come!”
Meanwhile, joining the show is World-class Latin dancer Nancy Xu. Nancy Xu, 28, from China was a finalist on So You Think You Can Dance in China and a dancer on hit West End and Broadway show Burn The Floor.
A specialist in Latin, Nancy was a finalist in the U21 World Championships in 2010, took third place in the 2010-2012 CBDF National Amateur Latin Championships and was a runner up at the 2013 International Singapore Championships.
Strictly Come Dancing 2019 professionals line up
That means that making up the Strictly 2019 pros are, for the men, AJ Pritchard, Aljaž Škorjanec, Anton Du Beke, Giovanni Pernice, Gorka Marquez, Graziano Di Prima, Johannes Radebe, Kevin Clifton and Neil Jones.
Joining them alongside newbie Nancy are, for the women, Amy Dowden, Dianne Buswell, Janette Manrara, Karen Clifton, Katya Jones, Luba Mushtuk, Nadiya Bychkova and Oti Mabuse.
Sarah James, Executive Producer, BBC Studios, said today: “We are delighted that this year’s line-up of professional dancers for Strictly Come Dancing is full of familiar faces and fan favourites.
“This amazing cast of incredibly talented world class professional dancers have provided Strictly with some of its most memorable moments over the years and with more exciting announcements to come, plus world renowned choreographer Jason Gilkison also returning to the team, Strictly 2019 promises to continue to wow viewers with unforgettable performances as we welcome this dazzling line up of pros back to the ballroom.”
Further information, including which dancers will be partnered with celebrity contestants, will be announced in due course.
Strictly Come Dancing typically begins in September on BBC One.
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