Strictly Star Gleb Savchenko Joins Dancing With The Stars

Gleb Savchenko is heading to the US to join Dancing With The Stars, months after quitting Strictly Come Dancing.

The Russian heartthrob has reportedly accepted a “big money” offer to star in the upcoming series of the transatlantic version of the dance competition, which kicks off next month.

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According to reports, Gleb’s wife Elena Samodanova, and their five-year-old daughter, Olivia, will relocate to Los Angeles so that the family can remain together while he takes to the dance floor.

“His wife and daughter are his top priorities but producers assured him they would take good care of them so taking the job was a real no-brainer,” a source told The Sun.

This comes months after Gleb, 32, announced his departure from Strictly, citing “family commitments” as the reason for waltzing away from the BBC ballroom after just a year on the show.

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“I thoroughly enjoyed taking part in the last series of Strictly Come Dancing and especially the way that the UK gave me such a warm welcome,” the professional dancer said at the time.

He then later revealed the pressures of working on the programme while his family remained in Russia, admitting: “When I was on Strictly it was really, really difficult.

“I was missing out on so much and I didn’t get to see my daughter for six months out of the whole year. She’s going to be six in November and she has to go to school. My wife was trying to fly back and forth but it was too tough.

“I didn’t want to miss out on so much and I made this decision to be with my family. I think family is more important than fame. My wife needs to feel loved and I want to see my daughter grow up.”

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Meanwhile BBC Breakfast's Naga Munchetty just became the fourth female star confirmed for Strictly this year, alongside Laura Whitmore, Daisy Lowe and Louise Redknapp; together with male competitors Ed Balls, Will Young, Ore Oduba, Melvin Odoom and Danny Mac.

Strictly Come Dancing will be back on BBC One soon, but there will be a Savchenko-shaped hole in our lives.