Strictly Come Dancing 2019 will grace our screens in September until December this year. Fortunately, the BBC has revealed which professional dancers will be returning to the dancefloor this year. The celebrity line-up all not be revealed until August 2019. Here’s everything we know so far.
Who is returning to Strictly Come Dancing?
Strictly Come Dancing 2018 winner Kevin Clifton is returning to Strictly Come Dancing for 2019.
Clifton won the show last year for the first time with documentary presenter Stacey Dooley.
Previous Strictly partners include Susanna Reid, Frankie Bridge, Kellie Bright, Louise Redknapp and Susan Calman.
Clifton is a professional dancer from Waltham, Lincolnshire.
He was previously married to Strictly professional Karen Cliffton from 2015 to 2018.
Karen will also be returning to Strictly Come Dancing 2019.
WHY IS PASHA KOVALEV LEAVING STRICTLY?
Oti Mabuse, who has just completed her role as Dance Captain on BBC’s other dancing show, The Greatest Dancer, will also appear on Strictly Come Dancing 2019.
Mabuse is a South African professional Latin American and ballroom dancer.
In Strictly Come Dancing 2018, Mabuse came in seventh place with Graeme Swann.
Previous partners on the show have been Anthony Ogogo, Danny Mac and Jonnie Peacock.
Anton Du Beke will be back for another year of Strictly Come Dancing.
Du Beke has performed on the show every year since it aired in 2004 but has yet to lift the glitterball trophy.
The closet Du Beke has come to winning was the first year of Strictly Come Dancing, where he came in third place with Lesley Garrett.
In Strictly Come Dancing 2018, Du Beke and his partner Susannah Constantine were the first couples to be eliminated from the series.
WILL PASHA BE REPLACED ON STRICTLY COME DANCING?
Also returning for Strictly Come Dancing 2019 are:
- Gorka Marquez
- AJ Pritchard
- Katya Jones
- Aljaz Skorjanec
- Amy Dowden
- Dianne Buswell
- Giovanni Pernice
- Graziano Di Prima
- Janette Manrara Johannes Radebe
- Luba Mushtuk
- Nadiya Bychkova
- Neil Jones
Sarah James, the executive producer at BBC Studios, said: “We are delighted that this year’s line-up of professional dancers for Strictly Come Dancing is full of familiar faces and fan favourites.
“This amazing cast of incredibly talented world class professional dancers have provided Strictly with some of its most memorable moments over the years and with more exciting announcements to come, plus world-renowned choreographer Jason Gilkison also returning to the team, Strictly 2019 promises to continue to wow viewers with unforgettable performances as we welcome this dazzling line up of pros back to the ballroom.”
Sadly, Pasha Kovalev will not be returning to Strictly Come Dancing this year.
Kovalev announced he would not be returning to the show to “find a new challenge.”
In a statement on his Twitter page, he wrote: “After scoring 93 perfect tens, reaching 4 finals and lifting 1 glitter ball, it’s time for me to find a new challenge and so I’ve decided to make last year – my final season on Strictly.
“I’ve had 8 fantastic years, full of wonderful memories, thanks to the incredible partners, professionals and myriad of behind the scenes teams who all work to make Strictly the amazing production that it is.
“The biggest thanks go to all the members of the public who supported me so much over these years – I look forward to seeing you on the Strictly Pro-Tour this spring, and of many future adventures to come!”
Kovalev won the show in 2014 with Caroline Flack and last year was paired with Ashley Roberts coming in second place.
He first appeared on Strictly Come Dancing in 2011 and remained a professional dancer on the show for eight years.
Previous partners on Strictly Come Dancing included Chelsea Healey, Kimberly Walsh, Rachel Riley, Carol Kirkwood, Naga Munchetty and Chizzy Akudolu.
Strictly Come Dancing 2019 will return in September 2019