Advertisement

Strictly Come Dancing: Three New Professional Dancers Join The Show

Strictly Come Dancing has already seen three new professional dancers join the ranks after Ola Jordan, Kristina Rihanoff, Aliona Vilani, Gleb Savchenko and Tristan MacManus all bowed out off the BBC programme.

Now, three brand new names have been announced, joining Katya Jones, Oksana Platero and Gorka Marquez in being this year’s newbies.

The newly announced professionals joining this year’s series are: World Champion Neil Jones, and British and European Youth Latin and Ballroom Champions AJ Pritchard and Chloe Hewitt.

L-R: AJ, Chloe, Neil. Copyright [BBC]

Chloe, 20, is the youngest ever professional dancer to appear on Strictly, with the pro and her partner AJ being the youngest pair to take on the infamous dancefloor.

Chloe and AJ have won some incredible achievements in their careers, becoming British Open Youth Latin Champions and European Youth Latin Champions in the same year.

They’ve also set records by becoming the National Youth Latin Champions for three years in a row from 2012 - 2014.

Speaking about joining the show, AJ said: “Watch out Strictly, here I come, it is going to be amazing and I feel ecstatic!”

Copyright [Instagram/AJ Pritchard]

Chloe admitted: “My childhood dream of being on Strictly Come Dancing is now reality! The sheer excitement is exhilarating and I cannot wait to be part of the Strictly family.”

Neil, wife and partner of Katya Jones, is the undefeated four-time British National Champion, as well as the three-time winner of the World Amateur Latin Championships with Katya.

Last year, the pair became World Professional Latin Showdance Champions, with Neil also holding many other titles, including the UK, British, European and World Latin Champion.

Sharing his joy about becoming part of the BBC programme, Neil said: “I am so thrilled to be joining the cast of Strictly Come Dancing! As a British dancer I have grown up watching this amazing show, it is a massive honour and I am feeling pumped and excited to be part of the Strictly family.”

Copyright [Instagram/Neil Jones]

Louise Rainbow, Executive Producer of Strictly Come Dancing added: “We are very excited that three British champions are joining the Strictly family. Our viewers are in for such a treat this year and I hope they give our new dancers a big Strictly welcome!”

Professional dancers Aljaz Skorjanec, Anton Du Beke, Brendan Cole, Pasha Kovalev, Kevin Clifton, Giovanni Pernice, Karen Clifton, Joanne Clifton, Janette Manrara, Natalie Lowe and Oti Mabuse are all returning for the new series.

What a series this is shaping up to be!