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The Strictly Come Dancing Professional Dancers 2024© Kieron McCarron

Strictly Come Dancing 2024: Meet the professional dancers

The BBC competition will mark its 20th anniversary on the air

Megan Bull
TV Writer
Updated: August 22, 2024
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Strictly Come Dancing returns this autumn. Gearing up for its 20th anniversary, the hit competition is going to look a little different this year, following a wave of controversy. Amid the BBC's investigation into Giovanni Pernice's teaching methods, not to mention Graziano di Prima's recent firing, the show has been forced to shake up the professional line-up for 2024.  

But which pro dancers will be taking to the ballroom floor this year? Find out here...

Dianne Buswell© Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock

Dianne Buswell

Dianne Buswell has been a mainstay on Strictly since 2017. Last year, the Australian star narrowly missed out on the coveted Glitterball, coming in third place alongside her partner and EastEnders star, Bobby Brazier. Could 2024 be her year?


Nadiya Bychkova in a white jumper and skintight black trousers© Instagram

Nadiya Bychkova

Nadiya Bychkova joined Strictly in 2017, and while she wasn't given a partner in 2023, the Ukrainian dancer couldn't be more excited to compete again. As of July, Naidya has been back in rehearsals with her co-stars, and she's already promised an "amazing" series. 


amy dowden on loose women show in pink top© Shutterstock

Amy Dowden

Fans couldn't be more excited to welcome Amy Dowden. The dancer, who revealed her breast cancer diagnosis last year, was unable to compete in series 21, but after announcing that she's in the process of recovery, Amy is making a triumphant comeback. "I can't wait to be back doing what I love most in the world, dancing! Feel blessed and more excited than EVER. Bring it on!" she told fans in June. 


Karen Hauer smiling in a black dress© Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock

Karen Hauer

Karen Hauer is Strictly's longest-serving female pro after signing on to the series in 2012. She's made it to the semi-finals several times, so who knows, maybe the Glitterball is coming her way this year?


Katya Jones attends the "BBC Earth Experience" launch at the Daikin Centre on March 29, 2023 in London, England.© Getty

Katya Jones

Katya Jones is ready for her 9th year on the show. Back in 2017, the dancer took first place alongside Joe McFadden but is yet to mark her second victory in the ballroom. 


neil jones strictly tour announcement

Neil Jones

Neil has been a part of the Strictly family since 2016. Last year, he missed out on a celebrity partner so we're excited to see who he's paired up with for 2024. 


Nikita Kuzmin in a black outfit© Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock

Nikita Kuzmin

Nikita Kuzmin is one to watch! Partnered with West End star Layton Williams in 2023, the pair became firm favourites and scored the first 40 of the series. While they ultimately came in second place, fans haven't forgotten just how talented Nikita is when it comes to choreography. 


Gorka Marquez in a tweed jacket© Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock

Gorka Marquez

Gorka Marquez joined Strictly in 2016. The Spanish dancer and his partner, Nikita Kanda, were eliminated from week two of the competition last year, but fans are hoping to see more of him in 2024. 


Adam and Luba became the sixth couple to leave the show© Instagram

Luba Mushtuk

Luba Mushtuk officially joined Strictly in 2018 but has served as an assistant choreographer on the series since 2016. She came in 9th place with her partner, Emmerdale and Waterloo Road actor Adam Thomas in series 21. 


Jowira Przystal in turquoise dress© REX/Shutterstock

Jowita Przystal

A member of the Strictly line-up since 2021, a year later Jowita Przystal lifted the Glitterball trophy alongside wildlife cameraman Hamza Yassin. Will she reclaim her title as Strictly champion this year? 


Johannes Radebe in a sheer top and blazer and trousers© James Veysey/Shutterstock

Johannes Radebe

Johannes Radebe made his mark on Strictly Come Dancing South Africa before joining the UK version in 2018. In 2021, Johannes then made history as part of Strictly's first-ever all-male partnership alongside Great British Bake Off winner, John Waite.


kai widdrington royal television society© Photo: Getty Images

Kai Widdrington

Kai Widdrington joined Strictly in 2021, and that same year sailed through to the finals with presenter AJ Odudu, before coming in third. While he is yet to win the flagship series, the English dancer previously took first place in 2022's Christmas Special. 


Les Dennis and Nancy Xu on Strictly© BBC

Nancy Xu

A specialist in Latin, Nancy Xu will mark her 5th anniversary on Strictly this year. The dancer and choreographer has made it to the semi-finals twice – namely in 2021 with Rhys Stephenson, and in 2022 with Will Mellor. 


Angela Scanlon and Carlos Gu **Publication of this image is strictly embargoed until 20:30 hours Saturday 4th November 2023**,BBC,Guy Levy© Guy Levy,BBC

Carlos Gu

Chinese National Champion Carlos Gu made his Strictly debut in 2022. Boasting an impressive track record, that same year he came in second with actress Molly Rainford, and in 2023, narrowly missed out on the quarter-finals with Angela Scanlon. 


Lauren Oakley smiling in black lace dress © Getty

Lauren Oakley

Lauren Oakley was paired with her first celebrity partner in 2023 – broadcaster Krishnan Guru-Murthy – before coming in 8th. We're excited to see what she has in store for her sophomore year. 


michelle tsiakkas

Michelle Tsiakkas

Michelle Tsiakkas signed on to the series in 2022 but is yet to receive a celebrity partner. "Being a professional dancer on Strictly Come Dancing has been my dream ever since I was a little girl," she said upon joining. "I cannot believe my dream has come true! I'm so grateful to be joining this incredible family and I can't wait to step on that magical dance floor and give it my all!"


Vito Coppola in a black polo-necked jumper© Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock

Vito Coppola

For the first time ever, Vito Coppola competed for the Glitterball in 2022, making it all the way to the final alongside Fleur East. In his second year on the show, Vito and his partner, Ellie Leach, were crowned champions. The question is: can he do it again? 


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