BBC announces five new pro dancers for Strictly 2026

The BBC has announced five new professional dancers who will join the cast of "Strictly Come Dancing" when the hit competition series returns this September. The newcomers, hailing from the UK, Canada, Italy, South Africa, and Ukraine, will replace five departing professionals in a significant refresh of the lineup for the 2026 season.

The new dancers are British ballroom champion Maddie Ingoldsby, Ukrainian Latin champion Aleksandra Isaeva, Italian Latin champion Cristian Priori, South African Latin champion Lethabo Monametsi, and Canadian Latin champion Mark Karmalita. Their addition follows the earlier announced departures of longtime professionals Nadiya Bychkova, Karen Hauer, Gorka Marquez, Luba Mushtuk, and Michelle Tsiakkas.

The quintet brings impressive credentials to the ballroom. Aleksandra Isaeva, ranked among the world's top 21 Latin dancers, said joining the show is a "true honour" and that she cannot wait to pour her whole heart into every performance. She joins the series alongside her dance partner, Cristian Priori, a four-time Italian Latin champion who called signing on an "easy decision." He stated that "Strictly is where passion, hard work and entertainment...