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21st June 201721st June 2017

New 2017 Pros Revealed

The BBC have today revealed three new female pros to join the Strictly 2017 professional dancer lineup. Without further ado, the new pros are:

Dianne Buswell, Nadiya Bychkova and Amy Dowden

Dianne is a Australian Open champion and four time finalist in the Amateur Australian Open. She has also appeared on the Australian version of Strictly Come Dancing, Dancing With The Stars and has been part of Burn The Floor In Broadway since 2011. Speaking to the BBC she 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! See you on the dance floor!”

Nadiya is a Ukranian dancer and a two time World Champion and European Champion in Ballroom and Latin “10” Dance. She has also appeared in the Bosnian version of Strictly. Speaking to the BBC she said: “I’m extremely happy to be joining the Strictly Come Dancing family this year. One of my biggest dreams is to be part of this great show and I can’t wait to get started!”

Amy is from Wales and has been dancing since the age of 8. She is the current British National Champion and one of the highest ranking Ballroom and Latin dancers in the UK. Speaking to the BBC she said: “Becoming a professional dancer on Strictly Come Dancing has made my wildest dreams come true, it does not feel real! I have always been proud of my Welsh roots and feel so honoured to be the first Welsh professional dancer on the most loved show on TV!”

Dianne, Nadiya and Amy replace Joanne Clifton (?), Oksana Platero (?) and already announced departing pro Natalie Lowe. They will be joining returning pros Anton du Beke, Brendan Cole, Kevin Clifton, Neil Jones, Pasha Kovalev, Gorka Marquez, Aljaž Škorjanec, Giovanni Pernice and AJ Pritchard; alongside Karen Clifton, Chloe Hewitt, Katya Jones, Janette Manrara and Oti Mabuse.

Newly departing pro Joanne said to the BBC: “Being part of the Strictly experience has been one of the best things that has ever happened to me and I will miss the show so much. It’s been a tough decision but I am looking forward to facing new challenges and focusing on my musical theatre career.”

Oksana had this to say: “I just want to say thank you to everyone involved with Strictly. Last year was my first season and I had an unforgettable time working alongside such amazing dancers and an even better time with Judge Rinder. It was an opportunity of a lifetime and I will never forget it. Thank you so much for the memories.”

You can read the full BBC Press Release here. What do you think of the new pros, the departing pros and the full new lineup. As always let me know right here in the comments or over on Facebook or Twitter

11th May 2017

Who Would You Like To See In Strictly Come Dancing 2017?

With the big news that Shirley Ballas will be taking over from Len Goodman out of the way, as well as the news Natalie Lowe will not be participating as a professional dancer in the 2017 series it’s time to look forward to the upcoming series.

We’re still approximately three months away from the official announcements, and the probable spoilers that will come with them, but it’s not too early to be thinking about who you would like to see take part in the new series of Strictly Come Dancing. The BBC are likely in the late stages of negotiations with potential celebrities and possibly even new pros to replace Natalie.

But which celebrities or pros would you like to see? You can let me (and possibly the BBC since they monitor this site and my social feeds) know right here in the comments, or over on Facebook/Twitter. Lets see who the community would like to see in the new series and see if we can get some spoilers by getting some of the upcoming participants right.

9th May 20179th May 2017

New Head Judge Revealed (for real this time!)

The BBC have this morning announced what we have been waiting for and told us who will be replacing Len Goodman on the Strictly judging panel in the 2017 series. No it’s not Mr Blobby as claimed in last months April Fools Joke. So who is the new judge?

Shirley Ballas.

Shirley, who retired from dancing competitively in 1996, is nicknamed the “Queen of Latin” and will be taking over completely from Len Goodman as head judge with the casting vote in dance offs.

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Speaking to the BBC Shirley said, “I am so excited and over the moon to have been given this wonderful opportunity. I can’t wait to get in to the ballroom and be part of the incredible and respected judging panel. Strictly is so loved by the British public, I have always been a massive fan. I just can’t wait!”

Darcey Bussell had this to say, “I look forward to meeting Shirley and welcoming her to our Strictly team. Her years of experience in Ballroom and Latin dancing are impressive and I’m sure she will be a great addition to our judging panel.”

Craig Revel Horwood said, “Fantastic news that Shirley will be joining me and the other judges on the panel. I look forward to working with her on the next series of Strictly!”

Bruno Tonioli added, “I know Shirley well – she is an incredible Latin dancer and trainer and I am sure she will be a great addition to the Strictly team.”

Louise Rainbow, Executive Producer of Strictly commented, “I am thrilled that Shirley Ballas has agreed to join our judging panel. The calibre of applicants for this role was exceptional but with her wealth of experience as a World Champion dancer, teacher and judge, she is the perfect fit for Strictly.”

Charlotte Moore, Director of BBC Content said, “Len’s are big shoes to fill, but the ‘Queen of Latin’ is the ideal new Strictly judge. Shirley Ballas is a British ballroom expert whose credentials speak for themselves; she’s going to be a fabulous addition to the best judging panel in showbiz!”

What do you think of the new judge? You can let me know in the comments section, by voting in the poll above or over on Facebook or Twitter. You can read the full BBC press release on the new judge here.