A FRESH crop of professionals will take to the Strictly Come Dancing stage in 2026, the BBC has confirmed.
The broadcaster has revealed “top talent from the international dance world” will arrive on the BBC One series, after the recent cull of fan favourite professionals.
The channel also confirmed which professionals had survived the axe – and told how Dianne Buswell will make her return after giving birth to her first child.
In a statement Strictly announced: “This year a dynamic and world class roster of returning Professional Dancers will be joined by fresh top talent from the international dance world, bringing an exciting mix of experience and showmanship to the Strictly ballroom.
“Returning to the dance floor later this year are: Dianne Buswell, Julian Caillon, Amy Dowden, Katya Jones, Neil Jones, Nikita Kuzmin, Jowita Przystał, Johannes Radebe, Aljaž Škorjanec, Alexis Warr, Kai Widdrington, Nancy Xu, Carlos Gu, Lauren Oakley and Vito Coppola.
“In addition to the returning Pros, there will be brand new professional dancers joining the line-up in 2026.
“The new Pros will be confirmed closer to the return of the show as the 24th spectacular series comes to screens in Autumn 2026”.
The brutal way the Strictly pro dancers were culled recently came to light.
We previously reported how several of the show’s professional dancers, including Karen Hauer, Nadiya Bychkova, Gorka Marquez, Luba Mushtuk and Michelle Tsiakkas have been axed from the main show.
It turns out the decision five pros were given marching orders because of a so-called “popularity contest.”
According to a report in the Mail, the BBC had conducted “meticulous” market research to learn which dancers were still a hit with viewers.
“It was basically a popularity contest,” an unnamed source told the outlet.
The dancers’ exit comes amid a dramatic behind-the-scenes shake-up, including show bosses getting closer to finding new hosts.
Meanwhile, the new dancer reveal comes on the same day as Strictly head judge Shirley Ballas also appeared to confirm the judging line-up.
Despite hints she would be waltzing away from the competition, Shirley is set to reprise her role on the judging panel.
She rejoins co-stars Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke.
Some Strictly fans were worried Shirley wouldn’t be returning after the star revealed she was headed across the pond for a new role on Dancing With The Stars spin-off The Next Pro.
