Strictly 2018: Pro dancers revealed as first rehearsals get underway
It's coming up to that time of year again – the end of summer is approaching and that means that the Strictly season is almost upon us!
I love nothing more than curling up on the couch during those autumnal Saturday nights, with the leaves falling outside the widow, the fire roaring away and a large glass of wine in my hand.
In front of Strictly, of course.
So no one was more excited than me when they heard that the official line-up of professional dancers had been announced.
Will the gorge Gleb make a reappearance? Is Anton still going to be clowning around on the dance floor?
Sadly, it's a no to the first but Mr du Beke is definitely putting on his dancing shoes again!
Familiar faces returning are Aljaz Skorjanec, Janette Manrara, Kevin and Karen Clifton, Anton, Gorka Marquez, Giovanni Pernice, Pasha Kovalev, Nadiya Bychkova, Giovanni Pernice, Oti Mabuse. AJ Pritchard, Katya Jones, Amy Dowden and Dianne Buswell.
There are three fab new additions for 2018 and they are: Johannes Radebe, Luba Mushtuk and Graziano Di Prima.
Today we reveal our biggest pro-dancer line up EVER. Welcome to #Strictly @jojo_radebe @LubaMushtuk and Graziano Di Prima! https://t.co/uv8cIrwXCJ pic.twitter.com/ZAoVzMkxpw
— BBC Strictly (@bbcstrictly) May 30, 2018
Johannes is a two-time Professional South African Latin Champion and three time South African Amateur Latin Champion, and was a professional dancer on the South Africa version of Strictly for two seasons – and he went to the final both times.
Luba has helped as back-up dancer an choreographer for Strictly for several years, danced in Burn the Floor and is also Giovanni Pernice's ex gf. (Bit awks there.)
Lastly, the 24-year-old ride that is Graziano has spent the last three years touring with Burn the Floor and is an Italian Latin Champion who represented Belgium at the World Championships.
Is almost that time of year which means the cold weather will be back along with coats and jumpers I can’t wait #Strictly
— Jessica Minett (@MinettJessica) July 31, 2018
Hardcore fans might notice that there are one or two noticeably absent pro dancers from the 2018 line-up.
Brendan Cole was let go from the series after last year, and he has since broken his silence by wishing this years cast good luck in a video on his Instagram account.
He wrote, ''to all of my @bbcstrictly friends on day one of Season 16…Wishing you a fantastic series Xx.''
The launch show is set to be aired on BBC on August 31st so get the fake tan and glitter ready – it's time to staaaart dancing!
