Strictly Come Dancing's Graziano Di Prima confirms he will not have a celebrity partner in new series

Graziano Di Prima has revealed he will not have a celebrity partner on the upcoming series of Strictly Come Dancing.

The professional dancer, who joined the show in 2018 and was paired with DJ Vick Hope, has announced that he will still take part in the group dances and will appear on spin-off show It Takes Two.

The TV star wrote on social media: "Just letting all the fans know that I will not have a celeb partner this series, but don't worry...I am not going anywhere!

"You will see me every Saturday/Sunday nights in all out amazing group dances, on It Takes Two and across the series.”

Ruled out: Prima said he will still take part in the group dances (Guy Levy/BBC/PA Wire)

"We have some amazing routines already and I can't wait for you to see them all.

View this post on Instagram

.♥️.

A post shared by grazιano dι prιмa (@grazianodiprima) on Aug 21, 2019 at 12:56am PDT

He continued: "To all my fellow pros, good luck for a magical series! Let's do this and I love you all!"

Speculation has swirled over which professionals will be paired with which celebrities for the upcoming 17th series after the two groups met each other on Tuesday.

Broadcaster Anneka Rice, footballer Alex Scott and reality star Jamie Laing are among the stars taking part this year.

First time: Prima danced with Vick Hope in last year's competition (BBC/Guy Levy)

Yesterday Rice shared a photograph on Twitter of three bags of ice, a bottle of gin and two bottles of wine, writing: "The ice is for my bath. The rest is for my throat. Honestly, this is insane."

The ice is for my bath. The rest is for my throat. Honestly, this is insane... #Strictly #Day2 #strictlyimpossible pic.twitter.com/DJqP9kKMFA

— Anneka Rice (@AnnekaRice)

August 20, 2019

In a video post on his Instagram story, Made In Chelsea star Laing told his followers: "Strictly update, you ready for this?

"I'm tired. My knee hurts. I sweat more than anyone else in the room. But you know what? I've got rhythm.

"Basically if I had to describe myself as someone, I am the southern Billy Elliot, and older."

The line-up for this year's series also includes RuPaul's Drag Race star Michelle Visage, Olympic rower James Cracknell, YouTuber Saffron Barker, Paralympian Will Bayley, comedian Chris Ramsey, BBC Breakfast sports presenter Mike Bushell, CBBC star Karim Zeroual, ex-footballer David James, EastEnders star Emma Barton, ex-Coronation Street actress Catherine Tyldesley, Radio 1 DJ Dev Griffin and chef and socialite Emma, Viscountess Weymouth.

Additional reporting from Press Association.