The Strictly Come Dancing line-up of professional dancers has officially been confirmed after Aljaz Škorjanec quit the BBC show.
The 2022 line-up includes Karen Hauer, Nancy Xu, 2021 winner Giovanni Pernice, Luba Mushtuk, Neil Jones, Nadiya Bychkova, Nikita Kuzmin and Cameron Lombard.
Also competing this year are Katya Jones, Kai Widdrington, Amy Dowden, Johannes Radebe, Dianne Buswell, Gorka Marquez, Jowita Przystał and Graziano Di Prima.
It comes as two of last year’s stars have since quit the show – Aljaz Skorjanec and Oti Mabuse.
Aljaz announced the news earlier this week that he would no longer be competing in Strictly, announcing the news to his fans in a poignant statement.
(Image: BBC/Guy Levy)
He wrote: “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!”
(Image: BBC)
He added at the time: “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!”
(Image: BBC)
Two time Strictly champion Oti Mabuse, meanwhile, said she is “honestly so grateful to the BBC and will always remember that Strictly and BBC brought me to the UK – which I now call home and I have learned and grown so much. Thank you from the bottom of my heart”.
The new line-up means professional dancer Cameron Lombard could be dancing on the show for the first time since being announced as joining the cast last year.
(Image: BBC)
A Latin dance champion, he reached the semi-finals of South Africa’s Got Talent aged just eight years old.
Jowita would also be dancing for the first time if she receives a celebrity partner this year, while Luba was also passed over for a celebrity partner in 2021 and instead kept on as a reserve.
(Image: BBC)
Meanwhile, newest recruits Kai and Nikita certainly made an impression in 2021, with Kai reaching the finals before his partner AJ Odudu was forced to pull out due to injury.
Nikita and his partner Tilly Ramsay, meanwhile, managed to capture the hearts of the nation with their blossoming friendship and cheeky digs at Tilly’s celebrity chef dad Gordon.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
