Strictly Come Dancing Adds Five New Professional Dancers

Strictly Come Dancing returns to BBC One and BBC iPlayer this autumn with five new professional dancers added to the lineup, according to an announcement from the BBC. Executive Producer Sarah James stated that the incoming dancers are “all outstanding world class dancers” who will join the series in September.

Meet the Five New Professional Dancers Joining the BBC Series

The new professionals hail from the UK, Canada, Italy, South Africa, and Ukraine. According to the BBC, the incoming group features Aleksandra Isaeva, Cristian Priori, Lethabo Monametsi, Maddie Ingoldsby, and Mark Karmalita.

Aleksandra Isaeva is a multiple Ukrainian National Latin Champion raised in Ukraine and currently based in Italy. She ranks in the world’s top 21 Latin dancers, according to profile details provided by the BBC, and joins the show alongside her dance partner, Cristian Priori. Cristian is a four-time Italian Latin Champion from Rome who maintained a ranking in the world’s top 24 Latin dancers for eight consecutive years.

Lethabo Monametsi enters the competition as an undefeated South African Latin Champion. According to the BBC, she holds a Bachelor of Arts Law Major degree from the University of the Witwatersrand and has previously performed on television in Dance Yo Dumo and The Masked Singer SA. UK competitor Maddie Ingoldsby brings a background as a UK National Ballroom Champion and eight-time Amateur 10-Dance World Champion from Bournemouth, alongside previous West End and film experience. Canadian representative Mark Karmalita rounds out the group as a two-time National Latin Champion in Canada and a former US Latin Rising Star Champion.

Returning Professional Dancers for the Upcoming Series

The five new arrivals will perform alongside a roster of returning professionals on the BBC One program. According to the BBC, the returning lineup includes Alexis Warr, Aljaž Škorjanec, Amy Dowden, Carlos Gu, Dianne Buswell, Jowita Przystal, Julian Caillon, Kai Widdrington, Katya Jones, Lauren Oakley, Nancy Xu, Neil Jones, Nikita Kuzmin, and Vito Coppola.

Senior Commissioning Editor for BBC Entertainment Jo Wallace noted that the additions provide “five more reasons why the new series is not to be missed.” Production is handled by BBC Studios Entertainment, with Kalpna Patel-Knight commissioning the series, Sarah James serving as executive producer, and Nicola Fitzgerald and Jack Gledhill acting as series editors.

Frequently Asked Questions

When does Strictly Come Dancing return to television?

According to the BBC, the series waltzes back onto BBC One and BBC iPlayer this autumn.

Where are the new professional dancers from?

The five new professionals come from the UK, Canada, Italy, South Africa, and Ukraine.

Who are the new professional dancers joining the show?

The new professionals are Aleksandra Isaeva, Cristian Priori, Lethabo Monametsi, Maddie Ingoldsby, and Mark Karmalita.