Strictly Come Dancing reveals 2023 professional dancers
The popular show is back for another year!
After the success of the 2022 series - won by wildlife presenter Hamza Yassin - fans of Strictly Come Dancing are over the moon that the show is back for 2023. Show bosses have revealed the line-up of 19 professional dancers who will be taking to the floor with their celebrity partners - who are yet to be announced.
The Strictly judging panel will once again consist of Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Anton Du Beke and Shirley Ballas, who will return as Head Judge. Dave Arch and his band will also be back and will be providing live music every Saturday night.
Sarah James, Executive Producer, BBC Studios says: “Excitement is already building for the 21st series of Strictly and we are so lucky to have the best team in the business both on and off camera. Our amazing presenters, incredible panel of judges and world class professional dancers are ready to bring the sparkle back to your screens this autumn. We can’t wait!”
Who are Strictly Come Dancing professionals 2023?
The line-up includes popular professional dancers including Dianne Buswell, Giovanni Pernice, Gorka Marquez, Johannes Radebe and Karen Hauer. All of the new faces from last year such as Carlos Gu, Vito Coppola, Lauren Oakley and Michelle Tsiakkas, will be back for the 2023 series.
Check out all of the 2023 Strictly Come Dancing professionals below:
Gorka Marquez
Gorka joined the show in 2016 and has danced in three finals, most recently with presenter Helen Skelton in 2022.
Vito Coppola
Vito joined the show in 2022 and made it all the way to the final with Hits Radio presenter Fleur East.
Dianne Buswell
Dianne was a professional on the Australian version of Strictly Come Dancing before she joined the UK cast in 2017. In 2022, she made it all the way to Blackpool with Kiss FM presenter Tyler West.
Giovanni Pernice
Italian Champion Giovanni Pernice is the longest-serving male professional on the current line-up of Strictly pros, having joined the show in 2015. He lifted the Glitterball with actress Rose Ayling-Ellis back in 2021 and was most recently paired with presenter Richie Anderson.
Karen Hauer
Karen is the longest serving dancer in the current line-up, having joined in 2012. Last year she was paired with comedian Jayde Adams.
Katya Jones
Katya lifted the glitterball with actor Joe McFadden in 2017 and has been a Strictly professional since 2016. She danced with footballing legend Tony Adams in 2022.
Johannes Radebe
Johannes has been a Strictly pro since 2018. He danced with comedian Ellie Taylor last year.
Kai Widdrington
Kai became a professional dancer in 2021, when he reached the final with presenter AJ Odudu but had to pull out due to an injury. Last year, Kai was paired with Loose Women star Kaye Adams.
Jowita Przystal
Jowita joined the show in 2021 and was given her first professional partner, Hamza Yassin, in the 2022 series. The pair went on to win the show, making Jowita the reigning champion.
Carlos Gu
Carlos joined Strictly Come Dancing in 2022 and was partnered with CBBC star Molly Rainford. The pair reached the final of the show.
Graziano Di Prima
Graziano has been a Strictly pro since 2018. Last year, he reached the quarter finals with Kym Marsh.
Nadiya Bychkova
Nadiya joined the show in 2017. In 2022, she danced with Matt Goss.
Nikita Kuzmin
Nikita joined the show in 2021. He was paired with Paralympian Ellie Simmons in 2022.
Nancy Xu
Nancy was paired with actor Will Mellor in 2022. She has been a professional on the show since 2019.
Neil Jones
Neil has been a Strictly professional since 2016. His celebrity partners include professional footballer Alex Scott and actress and comedian Nina Wadia.
Lauren Oakley
Lauren joined Strictly Come Dancing in 2022.
Luba Mushtuk
Luba became a professional dancer on the programme in 2018. She has danced with two celebrity partners in the main series: James Cracknell in 2019 and Jason Bell in 2020.
Michelle Tsiakkas
Michelle joined Strictly in 2022.
When did Aljaž leave Strictly and why?
Following nine years on the show, Aljaž Škorjanec sadly announced he would be leaving the show in March 2022.
He wrote: 'On a beautiful sunny day in May 2013 one phone call changed my life forever!
'It went like this... We would like to offer you a position on @bbcstrictly as a professional dancer. A dream became a reality and it was the biggest opportunity for a 23 year old boy from Slovenia. It didn’t matter how many beautiful ballrooms I performed in during my competitive career, stepping onto the sacred Strictly floor was the most nervous I had ever been.
'A little while ago I made the tough decision that Strictly 2021 would be my last. The show has given me an opportunity and freedom to create and express myself in front of millions of people every weekend for the last 9 years. The love and support I got from the team of producers was second to none. @jasongilkison, @sarahjamesface, @kimwinston, @jack.will.g are just a few of the unsung heroes behind the success of the show - I am forever grateful to them!
'Being a part of a group of professionals that inspire and push you to be better every step of the way is humbling and I will carry that inspiration with me forever. Every year the lineup of dancers would change but one thing stayed the same, WE WERE THE BEST! And this is one thing that I know will never change on Strictly!
'Strictly also has the BEST backstage team - the hair and make-up team, costume department, lighting, sound, props and special effects, camera operators… THANK YOU!
'My beautiful partners.. It's hard to put into words how many beautiful memories we have had. I LOVE YOU ALL!
'To my bucka.. from picking songs, creating stories and choreographing steps we always did it as a team. Your talent and selflessness knows no bounds. We got to perform with Andrea Bocelli, Michael Buble, Ed Sheeran, Taylor Swift, BBC Symphony Orchestra.. moments I will keep in my heart forever. I LOVE YOU!
'And finally, thank YOU, the people that watch Strictly who have been so kind to me all these years. Every comment, vote, kind message never went unnoticed. You are the reason we all do it, thank you!
'I have lots of exciting stuff planned that I will fill you in on soon. I can't wait to see what the future holds!
'KEEEEEP DANCING! Aljaz x'. (sic)
Strictly Come Dancing will return to BBC later this year.
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Strictly Come Dancing stars who found LOVE on the dancefloor
Strictly Come Dancing 2023: Everything you need to know
Strictly Come Dancing: A recap of the 2022 series