Strictly Come Dancing’s 2019 pros are said to have scooped pay rises for the latest series.
Strictly Come Dancing will be back on BBC One in the autumn for what will be its seventeenth series.
The line up of Strictly professionals on 2019’s line up were confirmed earlier this year.
As was previously announced, Pasha Kovalev is leaving Strictly after eight years. Pasha is the only change to the line up from last year, with no further exits and no new additions.
Making up the Strictly 2019 male pros are AJ Pritchard, Aljaž Škorjanec, Anton Du Beke, Giovanni Pernice, Gorka Marquez, Graziano Di Prima, Johannes Radebe, Kevin Clifton and Neil Jones.
The women joining them are Amy Dowden, Dianne Buswell, Janette Manrara, Karen Clifton, Katya Jones, Luba Mushtuk, Nadiya Bychkova and Oti Mabuse.
It’s said that the dancers will all be getting a 10% pay rise having reportedly originally asked for a 20% hike during contract negotiations with show bosses.
“The pros know Strictly is an incredible platform and nobody wants to leave — but they also realise they’re now a huge part of the show too,” a source shared to The Sun newspaper. “They make most of their money from tours but pushed for a raise.
“It was the longest-serving pros like Janette, Aljaz and Anton who pushed this over the line.”
Sarah James, Executive Producer, BBC Studios, said announcing the pro line up in March: “We are delighted that this year’s line-up of professional dancers for Strictly Come Dancing is full of familiar faces and fan favourites. ”
Alongside the dancers, world renowned choreographer Jason Gilkison is returning to the team for the 2019 series.
The BBC has not yet confirmed which pros will be getting celebrity partners, with at least two usually sitting out as reverses.
Last year, Johannes Radebe, Luba Mushtuk and Neil Jones did not have pro partners.
Strictly Come Dancing typically launches in September on BBC One.
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