Strictly Come Dancing pros Graziano Di Prima and Gorka Marquez won’t be getting celebrity partners this year.
Graziano made his debut on Strictly last year, dancing with Vick Hope while Gorka Marquez first joined the show in 2016, last year performing with Katie Piper.
Although they’ll both return to the show for 2019, Graziano and Gorka have announced they will only be appearing in the professional group numbers.
“Just letting the fans know that I will not have a celeb partner this series, but don’t worry… I am not going anywhere!” Graziano told fans on his social media pages.
He continued: “You will see me every Saturday/Sunday nights in all our amazing group dances, on It Takes Two and across the series. We have some amazing routines already and I can’t wait for you to see them all!
“To my fellow pros, good luck for a magical series! Let’s do this and I love you all! Graz”
His fellow Strictly stars were quick to show their support, with Kevin Clifton sharing on Instagram: “Mate my sister was the same in her 2nd series. In her 3rd series she won! You’re one of the best dancers i know so get ready to OWN 2020 ! ♥️”
Meanwhile, Gorka posted on Instagram: “For everybody that’s been asking, I can let you know that this series, I sadly won’t be partnered with a celebrity for the main series of Strictly. However, I will still be heavily involved in all of the group numbers and all things Strictly!
“I’m excited to see this year’s celebs and my fellow professionals dance for the Glitter Ball and I hope to be back fighting for it next year.
“As always, it’s gonna be a GREAT series.”
Alongside Gorka, Graziano and Kevin the male pros on this year’s Strictly are Aljaž Škorjanec, Anton Du Beke, Neil Jones, Giovanni Pernice and Johannes Radebe.
This year’s women on the Strictly pro cast are Amy Dowden, Dianne Buswell, Katya Jones, Janette Manrara, Karen Clifton, Luba Mushtuk, Nadiya Bychkova and new pro Nancy Xu.
The celebs on the show this year include TV legend Anneka Rice, social media star Saffron Barker, Corrie star Catherine Tyldesley, BBC Sports presenter Mike Bushell, CBBC presenter Karim Zeroual, Radio 1 DJ Dev Griffin, RuPaul Drag Race’s Michelle Visage, Paralympic champion Will Bayley, and footballer and presenter Alex Scott.
Joining them re England international goalkeeper David James, stand up comedian Chris Ramsey, EastEnders’ actress Emma Barton, Made In Chelsea’s Jamie Laing, Viscountess Emma Weymouth and gold medal winning Olympian James Cracknell.
As yet the celebs don’t know which of this year’s pros they’ll be partnered up with.
The celebs and pros will be paired during the launch show, to air in September on BBC One.
The couples will then head into training for two weeks before the live shows begin.
