Strictly Come Dancing have added four new professionals to the line-up for the 19th series of the BBC entertainment show.
As news broke earlier this summer that viewer favourite Janette Manrara was taking over from Zoe Ball on It Takes Two duties, and Anton Du Beke would replace Bruno Tonioli on the judging pancel, it meant new dancers would be shimmying into the new series.
The new dancers are:
- World Junior Latin American Champion 2010 and former Dancing With The Stars Ireland professional Kai Widdrington.
- Six-time Latin and Ballroom National Champion in Italy and former Let’s Dance Germany professional Nikita Kuzmin.
- Reigning South African Latin Champion Cameron Lombard.
- Polish Open Latin Champion 2014 and winner of BBC One’s The Greatest Dancer 2020, Jowita Przystal.
They join the professional dancers already revealed for the upcoming series: Aljaž Škorjanec, Amy Dowden, Dianne Buswell, Giovanni Pernice, Gorka Marquez, Graziano Di Prima, Johannes Radebe, Karen Hauer, Katya Jones, Luba Mushtuk, Nadiya Bychkova, Nancy Xu, Neil Jones, and Oti Mabuse.
Kai Widdrington said joining the show was his 'childhood dream come true.'
He said: "Watching Strictly from the very first series as a young boy from Southampton and now 18 years later, to be a professional dancer on the show is the most amazing feeling and the biggest accomplishment of my career. I can’t wait to step onto the Strictly floor and experience the exciting times that lie ahead.”
Nikita Kuzmin added: "I’ve always been amazed by the magic Strictly Come Dancing brings. No matter what country I have found myself living in, I’ve never missed a chance to watch it. And joining it as a professional dancer is my big chance to make some magic on the most famous dance floor. I can’t wait to give it my all."
Cameron Lombard thanked Strictly Come Dancing for the "life-changing opportunity". He said: "Not only is this a dream come true but a challenge I am accepting with both hands. I am excited beyond imagination and looking forward to leaving my mark on the dance floor.”
And Jowita Przystal added: “This is my biggest dream come true. No words can describe how I feel right now. I’m still pinching myself to check if this is real but I am beyond excited to be joining the Strictly Come Dancing family and I can’t wait to give all of my heart and soul on that dance floor.”
To get the latest email updates from WalesOnline's What's On team, click here
