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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Entertainment
Katie Fitzpatrick

Strictly fans' joy as 'dream team' reunite ahead of the new series

Strictly Come Dancing favourites have whipped up excitement ahead of the new series with a reunion.

Former pro dancers Natalie Lowe and Ian Waite were all smiles as they met up for a weekend in Windsor.

Natalie performed on the flagship BBC show from 2009 to 2016 and Ian from 2005 until 2010.

During series seven in 2009 they were partnered together for the professional performances on the long-running show.

The pals, who run the ballroom and Latin dance fitness programme FitSteps with Olympic swimmer Mark Foster, delighted fans with a selfie of the pair together.

"Buddies for life...@ianjwaite love you!" said Natalie as she shared the snap on her Instagram.

And fans loved seeing them back together.

Natalie was on the show until 2016 (Getty Images)

"Really miss seeing you two dancing together," said one.

"My favourite Strictly couple," said another.

"Omg the dream team back together," commented another fan.

"Still two of my favourite dancers," said another Strictly viewer.

Ian with celeb partner Jodie Kidd in 2008 (BBC)

"My favourite pairing," said another.

"The most elegant couple in history!" said another.

"Aah my favourite duo!" gasped another.

Ian, who made it to the final with Radio 2 presenter Zoe Ball and finished in third place in 2005, is godfather to Natalie's baby boy Jack.

Natalie, who lives near Knutsford with her husband James Knibbs and their son, bowed out from Strictly to concentrate on starting a family and married company director James in Australia in January the following year.

They welcomed baby Jack a week before the 2019 Strictly final in December at Manchester's St Mary's Hospital.

This year's Strictly is rumoured to launch on October 24 but this hasn't been confirmed yet.

This year's star line-up which has already been announced includes former The Wanted singer Max George, from Bolton, and Olympic boxing champ Nicola Adams who studied at Hopwood Hall College in Middleton.

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