The Strictly pro dancers who have NEVER won the Glitterball – despite years of trying on BBC show
STRICTLY is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year and viewers are keen to find out who will lift the Glitterball Trophy on such a special occasion.
So far none of the celebrity frontrunners have been knocked out of the competition, but some of Strictly fans' fave professionals have.
It's particularly galling for some as, despite years on the show, a number of the longest serving professionals have surprisingly still not won the Glitterball.
Let's take a look at who they are and how close they've come before, only to be pipped at the post.
Gorka Marquez
The Spanish hunk joined Strictly in 2016 for the 14th series, where he was paired with EastEnders actress Tameka Empson.
Gorka didn't get to hang around for very long, as they were eliminated third, but he had much more success the following year with X Factor winner, Alexandra Burke.
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The pair performed some incredible routines, including a memorable Charleston and energetic Jive.
They reached the final but missed out on the Glitterball, with actor Joe McFadden and Katya Jones winning.
The next year he was voted out fourth with Katie Piper, before failing to receive a celebrity partner for the 2019 series.
Gorka was back in 2020 with EastEnders' Maisie Smith, and once again made it all the way to the final.
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In something of a trend, he then had a premature exit from the show in 2021 with Corrie's Katie McGlynn, before reaching the final in 2022 with presenter Helen Skelton.
But sadly, the Glitterball still eludes him, and having already been voted out this year with celeb partner Dr Punam Krishan, Gorka and his fans will have to hope 2025 will be his year.
Karen Hauer
Can you believe Strictly's longest serving female pro has never won? I certainly can't.
Karen joined the show back in 2012 and has had a mixed bag of celebrities to train.
Her first celebrity partner was Westlife's Nicky Byrne, and they reached the quarter-finals.
The following year she danced with late Hairy Bikers star Dave Myers, where they were voted out seventh.
Karen made her first final in 2014 with former Towie star Mark Wright and didn't achieve that again until 2020 with Made in Chelsea's Jamie Laing.
On other occasions, she has made it to the quarter finals in 2018 with actor Charles Venn, then the semi-finals the following year with comedian Chris Ramsey.
Sadly in the past three seasons, Karen seems to have gotten stuck at the Week 5 mark, leaving at the same point in the competition with Jayde Adams, Eddie Kadi and this year, Paul Merson.
Amy Dowden
Amy quickly won the hearts of Strictly viewers when she joined the show in 2017.
She was paired with TV legend Brian Conley and they finished in 12th place.
Her second year saw her paired with Death in Paradise's Danny John-Jules and they faired a little better, finishing ninth.
Amy reached her first final in 2019 with presenter Karim Zeroual, but they were beaten by Kelvin Fletcher and Oti Mabuse.
She then finished sixth with JJ Chalmers, seventh with McFly's Tom Fletcher and 11th with EastEnders actor James Bye.
Unfortunately, Amy was forced to miss the 2023 series after being diagnosed with breast cancer.
Fans were delighted to see her return for the 2024 series, where she was paired with JLS singer JB Gill.
But sadly, Amy was forced to withdraw from the series with a foot injury on Monday, a week after she went to hospital following the Halloween live show.
JB will continue to dance with Lauren Oakley, who stepped in for Amy during Icons Week, and she will no doubt hope he can go onto lift the Glitterball Trophy on her behalf.
Dianne Buswell
Red-headed Aussie Dianne joined Strictly in 2017 alongside Amy and quickly made her mark.
Her first partner was the Rev Richard Coles, and they were the second couple to be eliminated.
But Dianne faired much better the following year when she was paired with now boyfriend, Joe Sugg.
The couple reached the final but were beaten by Stacey Dooley and Kevin Clifton, who also became a couple after the series ended.
Dianne had a run of bad luck across the next two series, being eliminated third with DJ Dev Griffin and The Wanted's Max George respectively.
In 2021, her competition was cut short when her celeb partner, actor Robert Webb was forced to withdraw in week three due to ill health.
In 2022, she was paired with DJ Tyler West and they were the eighth couple to be eliminated.
Dianne made her second final last year with EastEnders actor Bobby Brazier, but was pipped to the post once again by Ellie Leach and Vito Coppola.
This year, Dianne is paired with blind comedian Chris McCausland, could this be her year?
Strictly Specials
- Movies Week - Each year the cast of dancers on the show perform spellbinding routines to an iconic movie soundtrack or hit song associated with the big-screen blockbusters. Previous films to have been featured include The Sound of Music, Bridget Jones' Diary and Clueless.
- Musicals Week - In a similar vein to Movies, the cast perform routines inspired by hit stage musicals each year on the show.
- Halloween Week - Things take a seriously spooky turn as the show transforms into a haven for Halloween towards the end of October. With some bone-chilling costumes and sometimes terrifying routines, it proves to be a fan favourite week year-on-year.
- Blackpool Week - As the show hits Blackpool Tower, things get even more over-the-top. Huge props, backing dancers and extra special effects flood the ballroom for the extra special week.
Neil Jones
Neil joined Strictly in 2016 but has also had to watch others lift the Glitterball before him.
For his first three years, Neil didn't receive a celebrity partner and performed in the group dances instead.
But in 2019, he was partnered with England footballer Alex Scott, and they reached the quarter finals.
Two years later in 2021, he was paired with actress Nina Wadia but they were the first to be eliminated.
After missing out on a partner in 2022 and 2023, Neil was paired with singer Toyah Wilcox this year.
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But unfortunately, they were the second couple to be voted off.
Strictly airs Saturdays on BBC One and is available on BBC iPlayer.