The wheels are in motion for the next series of Strictly Come Dancing, after a bumpy ride in recent months amid allegations of bullying. Now, a glittering first look at this year’s pros has been revealed.
Dressed in feather dresses, pastel outfits and sequined gowns, the professionals danced with big smiles in a pink bus for the launch trailer of the new series.
It also marks the triumphant return of professional Amy Dowden to the show, after missing last year’s series due to her battle with breast cancer.
The reason for this is that the BBC’s flagship programme has been plagued for months by allegations of ‘bullying’ and abuse by former professionals Giovanni Pernice and Graziano Di Prima, directed at their celebrity partners Amanda Abbington and Zara McDermott.
This year, last year’s winner Vito Coppola, Dianne Buswell, Nadiya Bychkova, Karen Hauer, Neil Jones, Katya Jones and Nikita Kuzmin are among those paired with professionals.
The wheels are in motion for the next series of Strictly Come Dancing after a bumpy ride in recent months amid bullying allegations, as a glittering first look at this year’s pros has been revealed
Dressed in feather bows, pastel outfits and sequin-embellished dresses, the pros danced with big smiles on their faces in a pink bus for the launch trailer for the upcoming series.
It also marks the triumphant return of pro Amy Dowden (right) to the show after missing last year’s series due to her battle with breast cancer.
Gorka Marquez, Luba Mushtuk, Jowita Przystal, Johannes Radebe, Nancy Xu, Carlos Gu, Lauren Oakley and Michelle Tsiakkas complete the line-up.
Meanwhile, supposed fan favorite Kai Widdrington has not been paired with a celebrity this year despite his prominent role in the trailer due to a lack of women signing up this year.
The trailer for the BBC show’s 22nd season features professional dancers, including Dowden, performing a routine to a medley of songs including Vengaboys’ We Like To Party! (The Vengabus), Corona’s Baby Baby and 2 Unlimited’s Get Ready For This.
Dowden is returning to the series after being diagnosed with breast cancer in May 2023. She discovered a lump the day before her honeymoon, missing out on the chance to have a celebrity partner on Strictly that year.
The 34-year-old announced in February that she would return to the show this year after a mastectomy and chemotherapy showed “no evidence of the disease” following tests.
The opening show of Strictly’s 20th anniversary series sees the dancers perform an ’empowerment’ routine to celebrate Dowden’s return, and the celebrity contestants are paired with their dance partners.
Speaking about her return to Strictly, Dowden said: ‘I’m so excited about every aspect of returning to my Strictly family.
“I’m so grateful to have this opportunity, especially since it’s such a special year for this legendary show. It feels like my first year.
The trailer for the 22nd season of the BBC show shows professional dancers, including Dowden, performing a routine to a medley
It includes songs like We Like To Party! (The Vengabus) by Vengaboys, Baby Baby by Corona and Get Ready For This by 2 Unlimited
Professionals paired with dancers this year include last year’s winner Vito Coppola, Dianne Buswell, Nadiya Bychkova, Karen Hauer, Neil Jones, Katya Jones and Nikita Kuzmin
Gorka Marquez, Luba Mushtuk, Jowita Przystal, Johannes Radebe, Nancy Xu, Carlos Gu, Lauren Oakley and Michelle Tsiakkas complete the line-up (Carlos and Johannes are featured)
Dowden will return to the show after being diagnosed with breast cancer in May 2023, when she discovered a lump the day before her honeymoon
‘I can’t wait to see the whole team, for costumes, for dance routines, to meet the celebrities, the judges. Everyone laughs at me because I just laugh all the time.
‘I want to dedicate this dance to my pink sisters who have supported me this past year and to everyone who is currently facing cancer.’
Viewers will also get a glimpse of the dancing skills of the Strictly class of 2024, when they perform a group dance on the show.
The case follows a storm of controversy surrounding the BBC dance programme over the alleged treatment of contestants.
The BBC has launched an investigation into allegations made about Giovanni by former contestant Amanda, the results of which have not yet been made public. Pernice denies the allegations.
Dancer Graziano has also left the show.
The launch trailer aired on Wednesday 4 September at 7.29pm on BBC One.
The BBC will announce a date for the first episode of the series in due course.