The judging and professional dancer line-up for BBC Strictly has been announced for 2023 but a major name is missing.
Shirley Ballas is returning to her role of head judge despite speculation she'd be stepping down after she spoke out about vile trolling she's faced and she'll be joined once again by Craig Revel Horwood, Anton DuBeke and Motsi Mabuse.
Tess Daly will be back at the helm with Claudia Winkleman as the popular presenters front the hit BBC show once again and a host of familiar faces will be back on the dancefloor too, the BBC confirmed in a statement today.
The pros confirmed are: Dianne Buswell, Nadiya Bychkova, Graziano Di Prima, Amy Dowden, Karen Hauer, Katya Jones, Neil Jones, Nikita Kuzmin, Gorka Marquez, Luba Mushtuk, Giovanni Pernice, Jowita Przystal, Johannes Radebe, Kai Widdrington, Nancy Xu, Carlos Gu, Lauren Oakley, Michelle Tsiakkas and Vita Coppola.
But one person missing is Cameron Lombard, who has hung up his BBC dancing shoes just two years after he joined the show.
Another big absence of course is Rylan Clark, who fans will know has quit as host of It Takes Two, and his replacement hasn't been confirmed yet.
Helen Skelton is reportedly in talks to present the companion show It Takes Two after Rylan stepped down last week.
The TV personality tweeted after he announced that the time had come for him to "pass on the baton to someone else and explore what else life has for me".
Strictly judges were reportedly in deadlock negotiations with the BBC over a pay increase in line with inflation and it was said the BBC show had descended into "chaos" behind the scenes ahead of today's announcement because Shirley Ballas, 62, Craig Revel Horwood, 58, Motsi Mabuse, 42, and Anton Du Beke, 56, reportedly asked for an 11 per cent payrise. It's been alleged that this demand was rejected, but it seems all is well now, with today's announcement.
Dave Arch will once again be returning with his back to provide live music every Saturday night. The BBC has also promised the return of beloved Blackpool Week.
Sarah James, Executive Producer, BBC Studios said: “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!”
Whilst the Presenters, Judges and Professional Dancers have now been officially confirmed, the Class of 2023 won’t be revealed until later this year, when they are dipped in glitter and made ready to start dancing.
Further announcements, information and broadcast details regarding the 21st series of Strictly Come Dancing will be confirmed in due course.
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