BBC bosses have finally confirmed this year’s professional dancer line-up after much speculation – and fans are set to be surprised

Strictly Come Dancing’s 2025 professional dancer line-up has been confirmed – and no one has been axed despite months of speculation.

However, it has also been confirmed that Giovanni Pernice won’t be returning, despite his hope that he would be back on the show after winning the Italian version of Strictly, Ballando con le Stelle, last year. His comeback would have likely been supported by the likes of judges Shirley Ballas and Anton Du Beke, who have remained close to the Italian dancer.

Fan favourite Giovanni sensationally quit after his celebrity dance partner Amanda Abbington made a string of allegations regarding his “abusive” behaviour, with the Italian dancer later cleared after a BBC investigation.

Dianne Buswell, Nadiya Bychkova, Amy Dowden, Karen Hauer, Katya Jones, Neil Jones, Nikita Kuzmin, Gorka Marquez, Luba Mushtuk, Jowita Przystal, Johannes Radebe, Aljaž Škorjanec, Kai Widdrington, Nancy Xu, Carlos Gu, Lauren Oakley, Michelle Tsiakkas and Vito Coppola will all take to the floor later this year. Two new pro dancers – who are yet to be revealed – will also join them.

Arsenal 0-2 Liverpool: John Cross’ verdict

Giovanni Pernice won’t be returning to Strictly this year ( 
Image:
PA)

Of course, not all the pros will receive celebrity partners this year, so fans will have to wait until the autumn to find out if their favourites will be in the main line-up.

Sarah James, Executive Producer, BBC Studios says: “The excitement is already building ahead of the new series and in addition to welcoming back our fantastic returning Pros, we are looking forward to welcoming two brand new Professional Dancers to the line up who will help bring another unforgettable series of dazzling dance and loads more besides to viewers later in 2025.”

Kalpna Patel-Knight, Head of Entertainment at the BBC says: “The Strictly Professional Dancers are the beating heart of the programme, showcasing to viewers in every corner of the UK their world class talent by lighting up the famous Strictly ballroom every Saturday and Sunday night. Here’s to another fab-u-lous series!”

Gorka Marquez will be returning to the dance floor ( 
Image:
CREDIT LINE:BBC/Ray Burmiston)
It was claimed last year that five pro dancers were set to leave the show, with Nadiya Bychkova, Neil Jones, Karen Hauer, Gorka Marquez and Katya Jones among the names on the chopping block. Yet, this has now been confirmed to not be the case.

It comes after a tumultuous year for the BBC show, which along with Giovanni’s abrupt exit also saw Graziano Di Prima axed by show bosses. A video had emerged of the pro dancer kicking his 2023 celebrity partner Zara McDermott during rehearsals, which he admitted to.

Karen is back, despite speculation she was axed ( 
Image:
BBC/Ray Burmiston)Meanwhile, 2024 contestant Wynne Evans was axed from the Strictly Live Tour this year after a video emerged of him making a vile sexual remark at his co-star while at the launch of the tour in Birmingham. He had apologised for the comment.

Wynne was recorded making an inappropriate sexual comment to Janette Manrara, who acts as host on the tour, when she walked over to the group. He sang out: “Go Compare,” before adding: “Not too close to Jamie [Borthwick].” He then used the hugely demeaning term “spit roast” in reference to a lewd sexual act.

In a statement, he told the Mirror: “My language was inappropriate and unacceptable, for which I sincerely apologise.”