Strictly Come Dancing Bags Four New World-Class Pros for 20th Season
Strictly Come Dancing’s professional line-up just got a major boost! Four global dance stars are joining the glittering roster for the show’s milestone 20th series. Say hello to European Cup winner Vito Coppola, Chinese National Champion Carlos Gu, former Under-21 British National Champion Lauren Oakley, and Latin dance queen Michelle Tsiakkas.
A Star-Studded Ballroom Family
These fresh faces join Strictly heavyweights including Dianne Buswell, Nadiya Bychkova, Graziano Di Prima, Amy Dowden, Karen Hauer, Katya Jones, Neil Jones, Nikita Kuzmin, Cameron Lombard, Gorka Marquez, Luba Mushtuk, Giovanni Pernice, Jowita Przystal, Johannes Radebe, Kai Widdrington, and Nancy Xu.
Vito Coppola: “I am very excited to be part of this family. I can’t wait to embark on this new adventure and push myself. Strictly sto arrivando!”
Carlos Gu: “I’m thrilled to be joining Strictly and can’t wait to get started. It’s a new chapter and challenge. I’m ready to shine.”
Lauren Oakley: “I grew up watching Strictly, always hoping to join the best show on telly doing what I love the most. It doesn’t feel real yet! I can’t wait to start this new sequined adventure and be part of this incredible family.”
Michelle Tsiakkas: “Being a Strictly pro was my dream since I was a little girl. I still can’t believe it! I’m overjoyed to join this amazing family and can’t wait to hit the magical dance floor.”
Meet the New Pros
- Vito Coppola: Italian Latin American Champion, 11-time national winner, and 3-time World Championship finalist. He recently won Italy’s Ballando con le Stelle (Strictly’s Italian version) before joining the BBC.
- Carlos Gu: Chinese National Champion, multiple world semi-finalist, and 3rd place at the German Open. Carlos is skilled in ballroom, ballet, and contemporary dance.
- Lauren Oakley: From Birmingham, starting dance at two, Juvenile Champion at Blackpool Dance Festival in both Ballroom and Latin, and former Under-21 British National Champion. She’s toured nationally with Giovanni Pernice and Anton Du Beke.
- Michelle Tsiakkas: Cyprus-born Latin dance champion, undefeated national champ for a decade, who moved to London to study and represent England internationally. She also toured with the world-renowned dance show Burn The Floor.
Strictly Come Dancing Returns This Autumn
The BBC’s smash hit Strictly Come Dancing is back for its 20th glittering season this autumn on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. With this fresh crop of top-tier talent, the ballroom floor promises to be hotter than ever.
