Who are the Strictly Come Dancing dancers? Full line-up of professionals and who we are not seeing this year
THE BBC revealed the professional dancing line-up for Strictly 2018 a few weeks before the launch..
Here is the full confirmed professional line-up for Strictly Come Dancing 2018...
Who are the new Strictly Come Dancing 2018 dancers?
Graziano Di Prima
Graziano is an Italian Latin Champion and the latest Strictly recruit.
The 24-year-old has represented Belgium at the World Championships and toured the world with the dance company Burn The Floor.
Graziano is thrilled to be taking part and said: “This is my dream come true!”
“I still can’t believe I will be one of the professional dancers on Strictly Come Dancing. I can’t wait to give all of myself on the dance floor!”
Johannes Radebe
Johannes is a two-time Professional South African Latin Champion and three-time South African Amateur Latin Champion.
The 31-year-old already has Strictly experience, having been a professional dancer for two seasons on the South Africa version, reaching the final both times.
“Joining Strictly Come Dancing is one of the greatest achievements of my dancing career,” he says. “It is such an honour to be chosen to be a part of an incredible cast and be part of one of the biggest shows that is celebrated worldwide.
I cannot wait to get started and experience the magic with the UK!”
Luba Mushtuk
Luba is a four-time winner of the Italian Dance Championship and used to date fellow Strictly professional, Giovanni Pernice.
In May 2018 it was announced she is set to officially join the line-up as a professional dancer on the show for the 2018 series.
“Words cannot express how thrilled I am to do what I love most on the greatest show on earth!” she says.
“I am super excited and so thankful for this priceless opportunity. I can’t wait to get started as a professional dancer on Strictly… bring on the sparkle!”
Which professionals are returning to Strictly Come Dancing?
Kevin Clifton
Kevin Clifton has been a mainstay of the Strictly line-up in recent years and will be back for his seventh series.
The 35-year-old recently split from his wife and fellow Strictly professional, Karen Clifton.
The Sun exclusively revealed that the Strictly Come Dancing couple had split after months of speculation in March, less than three years after their wedding.
The estranged duo are continuing to work together and are in the midst of a raunchy dance tour of the UK.
Karen Clifton
Karen will also be returning for her seventh series which makes her the longest surviving female professional on the show.
Despite their impending divorce, Karen and Kevin both confirmed they will return to the show at the start of the month.
While they both insist marriage drama wouldn't affect them professionally, it seems to have had an impact on their tickets sales which have hit a slump recently.
She reached the finals in 2014 when partnered with Mark Wright, but the duo came runners-up.
Anton Du Beke
One of the few stars of the original 2004 line-up, Anton Du Beke is returning for his sixteenth series.
The Sun exclusively reported in January 2018, that Anton had escaped the axe after bosses had chosen to sack co-star Brendan Cole.
An insider explained at the time: “Brendan is the only major name not returning. Anton will be back again this year.
Anton's best result came in the first series when he placed third alongside Lesley Garrett.
Janette Manrara
Janette joined Strictly for its eleventh series in 2013 and has remained ever since.
The 34-year-old is married to fellow Strictly professional Aljaž Škorjanec.
Janette is adamant the “show’s curse” won’t affect her marriage because she trusts her husband completely.
Katya Jones
Reigning champion Katya Jones claimed the 2017 prize along with Holby City actor Joe McFadden.
The Russian pro is married to dance partner and fellow Strictly professional Neil Jones.
The Sun exclusively revealed the 29-year-old was one of the names in the firing line to be axed as bosses sought to refresh the line-up however her return has now been confirmed.
Double-left-footed politician Ed Balls was Katya's first partner and they made it through to week ten thanks to their comedy performances before being eliminated.
Neil Jones
For the third year in a row, Neil Jones has been confirmed as part of the professional's line-up for Strictly Come Dancing.
The 2016 recruit has been without a celebrity partner for the past two series while his wife Katya has gone on to be crowned the winner.
Neil will be hoping for better luck with securing a partner when the show returns in autumn.
Oti Mabuse
This will be Oti Mabuse's fourth year on the show.
The South African dancer was partnered with Jonny Peacock who had to depart the show in week nine after being edged out in the dance-off
There were rumours Oti's husband Marius had lined up to replaced axed Brendan Cole but unfortunately, the Romanian dancer is to remain a backing dancer.
Dianne Buswell
Dianne made her debut on Strictly in 2017 and said: “What an honour it is to be a part of Strictly Come Dancing.
"Words can’t describe how excited I am to take on this amazing challenge and give it my everything".
The 28-year-old Australian was partnered with Rev. Richard Coles but the two were sent home in week three.
However, Dianne will be returning this year amid rumours she may form a real-life couple with her Emmerdale boyfriend Anthony Quinlan.
Nadiya Bychkova
Nadiya also made her debut last year and made it to week 11 with EastEnders star Davood Ghadami.
The Ukranian dancer is a two-time World Champion and European Champion and was part of a big Strictly Come Dancing shake-up.
The Sun exclusively revealed the 28-year-old had threatened to quit the show after her diva demands were rejected but she has now committed to the series once more.
Amy Dowden
Amy Dowden was partnered with Brian Conley for her Strictly debut last year, but the pair were eliminated in week four.
However, she ended up winning the Children in Need special after being partnered with Mark Curry.
The Sun exclusively revealed the Welsh dancer was one of the names in the firing line to be axed as bosses sought to refresh the line-up however her return has now been confirmed.
Amy disclosed that she plans to marry dance partner Ben Jones after he proposed on New Year’s Eve.
Aljaž Škorjanec
Aljaž joined the Strictly crew in series 11 and won his debut year with Abbey Clancey.
Since then, he's been partnered with Alison Hammond and Helen George.
He finished runner-on in 2017 with actress Gemma Atinkson.
Giovanni Pernice
Despite only joining the show three years ago, Giovanni has managed to come runner-up twice.
He finished second with Georgia May Foote in 2015, before he repeated the feat with Debbie McGee last year.
The Strictly hunk recently split from former Towie star Jessica Wright after he reportedly 'struggled with her popularity.'
AJ Pritchard
This will be AJ's third year on the show after he set pulses racing when he teamed up with The Saturdays singer Mollie King last year.
The 23-year-old was constantly dogged by rumours he was dating his celebrity dance partner and the couple made it all the way to the semi-finals.
Neither of the pair has ever said they are dating and AJ came out to again state they are not seeing each other.
However, on February 13, 2018, former Strictly pro Branden Cole fuelled the speculation further by telling The Sun that they DID get together on the show.
Gorka Marquez
Gorka Marquez joined Strictly Come Dancing in 2016 and made it to the final last year with X Factor star Alexandra Burke.
While the 27-year-old didn't walk away with the crown, he did snag himself a serious girlfriend.
He is reportedly engaged to 2017 Strictly star, actress Gemma Atkinson who went public with their romance on Valentine's Day.
Gorka has also represented Spain in the World Latin Championships in 2010 and reached the semi-finals of the 2012 WDSF World Cup.
Pasha Kovalev
The Strictly veteran is also returning for his eighth series after joining back in 2011.
The 38-year-old won the coveted Glitterball with Caroline Flack in 2012 after they historically scored four "perfect 40s", a feat unmatched in the history of the show.
Pasha is currently dating Countdown presenter Rachel Riley after they pair were partnered together in 2013.
More on Strictly
Who won't be returning to Strictly Come Dancing
Chloe Hewitt
Chloe joined the Strictly family in 2016 but in her time on the show was without a celebrity partner
She instead appeared in group dances and demos along with fellow stand-by Neil Jones.
On April 8, 2018, The Sun exclusively revealed that Chloe was to be dropped from the professional line-up.
One insider said:“While others perform every week, she has only danced with other pro dancers in the group numbers, and hasn’t really made her mark."
Brendan Cole
On January 30, 2018, Brendan confirmed that his contract with the BBC has not been renewed and he will no longer be a part of the TV talent series.
“The powers that be will have a vision of the show and I’m not part of the vision – you’ve got to accept what decisions are made,” he tearfully told ITV host Lorraine.
Brendan was one of Strictly's original stars, having appeared on the first series in 2004.
He added: “I would have preferred to make the decision myself but maybe I’d never have made it”.