'Strictly Come Dancing' announces four new pro dancers to complete 2022 cast

Strictly Come Dancing has announced four new professional dancers who will join the cast for the 2022 series.

The hit BBC One celebrity dance contest is due to return this autumn and after some high-profile dancer exits earlier this year when Oti Mabuse and Aljaz Skorjanec announced they were quitting, the pro cast has been boosted by four new stars.

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Viewers can look out for joining dancers European cup winner Vito Coppola, Chinese National Champion Carlos Gu, former Under 21 British National Champion Lauren Oakley, and Latin dance champion Michelle Tsiakkas.

They join the professional dancers already revealed for the upcoming series: Dianne Buswell, Nadiya Bychkova, Graziano Di Prima, Amy Dowden, Karen Hauer, Katya Jones, Neil Jones, Nikita Kuzmin, Cameron Lombard, Gorka Marquez, Luba Mushtuk, Giovanni Pernice, Jowita Przystal, Johannes Radebe, Kai Widdrington and Nancy Xu.

Coppola said: “I am really excited to become part of this family. I cannot wait to start this new adventure and to challenge myself. Strictly sto arrivando! (or: Strictly I am coming!)”

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Gu said: “I’m thrilled to join Strictly and very excited to get started. It’s a new chapter of my life and a new challenge as well. I’m absolutely ready to take on this journey and to shine.”

British dancer Oakley, who has toured with Strictly stars Giovanni Pernice and Anton Du Beke, said: “I’ve grown up watching Strictly, always hoping that one day I could be part of the best show on television, doing what I love the most. Now that it’s happening, it doesn’t quite seem real. I can’t wait to start this new sequinned adventure and join this incredible family.”

Tsiakkas added: “Being a professional dancer on Strictly Come Dancing has been my dream ever since I was a little girl. I cannot believe my dream has come true! I’m so grateful to be joining this incredible family and I can’t wait to step on that magical dance floor and give it my all!”

Giovanni Pernice is the reigning champion of Strictly, having danced his way to the 2021 trophy with celebrity partner Rose Ayling-Ellis.

When the series launches in the autumn, viewers will discover whether any of the new dancers will be given a celebrity partner in the main cast or join for the group dances only.

Watch: Rose Ayling-Ellis on her silent dance in Strictly