Strictly’s New Pros: Four World-Class Dancers Join the Line-Up!
Strictly Come Dancing just got even hotter! This year’s professional crew welcomes four show-stopping stars to the dance floor. Meet European Cup champ Vito Coppola, Chinese National Champion Carlos Gu, former Under 21 British National winner Lauren Oakley, and Latin dance queen Michelle Tsiakkas.
They’ll be sharing the ballroom with Strictly legends like Dianne Buswell, Nadiya Bychkova, Graziano Di Prima, Amy Dowden, Karen Hauer, and more. The glitter is already flying!
Stars Speak Out: “Strictly Sto Arrivando!”
Vito Coppola is buzzing about joining the Strictly “family.” He says, “I can’t wait to embark on this new adventure and push myself. Strictly sto arrivando!”
Carlos Gu is ready to shine, saying, “I’m thrilled to be joining Strictly and can’t wait to get started. It’s a new chapter and challenge, and I’m more than ready.”
Lauren Oakley admits she’s dreamed of this moment: “I grew up watching Strictly, hoping I’d be part of the best show on TV. It doesn’t feel real yet—I can’t wait to start this sequined adventure!”
Latin dance champ Michelle Tsiakkas adds, “Being on Strictly has been my dream since I was a little girl. I’m overjoyed to join this incredible family and can’t wait to light up that magical dance floor.”
Meet The New Pros: Dance Royalty Joins Strictly
- Vito Coppola: Italian Latin American Champion, 11-time national winner, and the reigning champion of Italy’s Strictly version, Ballando con le Stelle. Vito’s been a World Championship finalist three times and a European Cup winner.
- Carlos Gu: China’s National Champion and a titan of ballroom, ballet, and contemporary. He’s reached several world semi-finals and grabbed third at the German Open. In 2017, he was Amateur Latin Rising Star Runner-Up at the UK Open.
- Lauren Oakley: The Birmingham-born dancing dynamo started competing at two. She’s a Juvenile Champion at Blackpool Dance Festival, former Under 21 British National Champ, and has toured with Strictly stars Giovanni Pernice and Anton Du Beke.
- Michelle Tsiakkas: Cyprus-born Latin champ undefeated in her homeland for a decade. Michelle moved to London, competed internationally for England, and starred in the global dance sensation Burn The Floor.
Ready to Dance: Strictly Returns This Autumn
Strictly Come Dancing is back for its sensational 20th series this autumn on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. Get ready for the glitz, the glamour, and these incredible pros turning up the heat!
