Strictly Come Dancing reveal three BRAND NEW dancers
It takes the total to 18!
Author: Alex RossPublished 30th May 2018 Last updated 30th May 2018
With Strictly legend Brendan Cole being axed from the show and professional dancer Chloe Hewitt deciding to leave, bosses at Strictly Come Dancing have today unveiled three brand new professional dancers.
Welcoming South African Johannes Radebe, Italian Graziano Di Prima and Russian Luba Mushtuk to the show, the news was confirmed on the official Strictly Come Dancing Twitter account. It read, 'Today we reveal our biggest pro-dancer line up EVER. Welcome to #Strictly @jojo_radebe @LubaMushtuk and Graziano Di Prima!'. sic
Despite being new to the show, the three dancers are no strangers to the dance floor. Graziano Di Prima is the Italian Latin Champion, Johannes Radebe is a professional South African Latin Champion, and Luba Mushtuk is a four-time winner of the Italian Dance Championship.
The three new professionals will take the total of professional dancers to 18, with them joining AJ Pritchard, Aljaž Škorjanec, Amy Dowden, Anton Du Beke, Dianne Buswell, Giovanni Pernice, Gorka Marquez, Janette Manrara, Karen Clifton, Katya Jones, Kevin Clifton, Nadiya Bychkova, Neil Jones, Oti Mabuse and Pasha Kovalev.
Speaking about joining the popular dancing show, Graziano said, "This is my dream come true! I still can’t believe I will be one of the professional dancers on Strictly Come Dancing. I can’t wait to give all of myself on the dance floor!”
Johannes then said, "Joining Strictly Come Dancing is one of the greatest achievements of my dancing career. It is such an honour to be chosen to be a part of an incredible cast and be part of one of the biggest shows that is celebrated worldwide. I cannot wait to get started and experience the magic with the UK!”
Brendan appeared on an episode of Lorraine back in January, where he held back the tears after admitting it wasn't his decision to leave the popular show.
He said, “It’s quite, actually, hard to talk about. The BBC haven’t renewed my contract. We get contracted year upon year. They’ve made an editorial decision to not have me back on the show. I’m a little bit in shock. I’m quite emotional, a bit raw about it.
“It’s done via a process of a phone call and stuff. I have had 15 incredible series on the show. I’m very proud of the whole show. It’s a great team.”
He later added, “I’m disappointed. It’s very hard to talk about. It’s a recent decision."
Although no official start date for the 2018 series of Strictly Come Dancing has been confirmed, rumours about which celebrities will be taking part in the show are heating up.
The likes of Gemma Collins, Coleen Rooney and Piers Morgan have all been rumoured so far, check out the full rumoured line-up below:
Coleen Rooney
After welcoming her fourth child into the world in January, Coleen Rooney is reportedly 'in talks' with Strictly bosses to appear on the show.
Strictly Come Dancing reveal three BRAND NEW dancers
2 of 10
Jake Quickenden
He may have won Dancing On Ice earlier this year, but Jake Quickenden has sparked rumours he's heading to Strictly too.
Coleen Rooney
After welcoming her fourth child into the world in January, Coleen Rooney is reportedly 'in talks' with Strictly bosses to appear on the show.
Michelle Keegan
Bosses are reportedly keen to 'break the bank' for former Coronation Street actress Michelle Keegan. The Our Girl star will be able to get a few tips from her husband Mark Wright after he appeared on the show back in 2014.
Gemma Collins
TOWIE star Gemma Collins is a firm favourite to land a place on this year's show. However, speaking about her potential signing, Craig Revel Horwood recently said, "Gemma Collins would be fun on the show but it's not very often that we have reality stars take to the ballroom. We generally have people of a higher calibre than that."
Rylan Clark-Neal
This Morning presenter Rylan Clark-Neal recently expressed his interest in taking part in the popular dancing show. He said, "I'm a big fan of Strictly. Last year, I got the chance to go down there for the first time as previously I've always been on The X Factor.** It was nice to go down and support Ruth. Never say never."
Joey Essex
Former TOWIE star Joey Essex is also a keen favourite with bosses as they think he is 'TV gold'.
Piers Morgan
Good Morning Britain presenter Piers Morgan hinted that he could be appearing on the show this year. Piers's rival Lord Alan Sugar even said he would donate £25,000 to charity if Piers does take part, and an additional £25,000 if he gets past week five!
Les Dennis
During a recent appearance on Sunday Brunch, Les Dennis said, "When I was doing Coronation Street I was approached but we weren't allowed to do it, we had a policy. I wouldn't mind doing it, I always like a challenge."
Nadiya Hussain
Great British Bake Off winner Nadiya Hussain attended a number of Strictly live shows last year, where she reportedly expressed her love for the show.
Maya Jama
Stormzy's girlfriend Maya Jama is also a hot favourite to appear on the show.
Jake Quickenden
He may have won Dancing On Ice earlier this year, but Jake Quickenden has sparked rumours he's heading to Strictly too.
Coleen Rooney
After welcoming her fourth child into the world in January, Coleen Rooney is reportedly 'in talks' with Strictly bosses to appear on the show.
Michelle Keegan
Bosses are reportedly keen to 'break the bank' for former Coronation Street actress Michelle Keegan. The Our Girl star will be able to get a few tips from her husband Mark Wright after he appeared on the show back in 2014.
Gemma Collins
TOWIE star Gemma Collins is a firm favourite to land a place on this year's show. However, speaking about her potential signing, Craig Revel Horwood recently said, "Gemma Collins would be fun on the show but it's not very often that we have reality stars take to the ballroom. We generally have people of a higher calibre than that."
Rylan Clark-Neal
This Morning presenter Rylan Clark-Neal recently expressed his interest in taking part in the popular dancing show. He said, "I'm a big fan of Strictly. Last year, I got the chance to go down there for the first time as previously I've always been on The X Factor.** It was nice to go down and support Ruth. Never say never."
Joey Essex
Former TOWIE star Joey Essex is also a keen favourite with bosses as they think he is 'TV gold'.
Piers Morgan
Good Morning Britain presenter Piers Morgan hinted that he could be appearing on the show this year. Piers's rival Lord Alan Sugar even said he would donate £25,000 to charity if Piers does take part, and an additional £25,000 if he gets past week five!
Les Dennis
During a recent appearance on Sunday Brunch, Les Dennis said, "When I was doing Coronation Street I was approached but we weren't allowed to do it, we had a policy. I wouldn't mind doing it, I always like a challenge."
Nadiya Hussain
Great British Bake Off winner Nadiya Hussain attended a number of Strictly live shows last year, where she reportedly expressed her love for the show.
Maya Jama
Stormzy's girlfriend Maya Jama is also a hot favourite to appear on the show.
Jake Quickenden
He may have won Dancing On Ice earlier this year, but Jake Quickenden has sparked rumours he's heading to Strictly too.
Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman are set to return to host the new series, with all four of last year's judges also back.
The new series of Strictly Come Dancing is set to return later in 2018.
