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Strictly Come Dancing reveals new professional dancers
- Strictly Come Dancing announced five new professional dancers for the 2026 series: Aleksandra Isaeva, Cristian Priori, Lethabo Monametsi, Maddie Ingoldsby, and Mark Karmalita joining the BBC show.
- These newcomers replace Gorka Marquez, Michelle Tsiakkas, Karen Hauer, Nadiya Bychkova, and Luba Mushtuk, whose departures were announced earlier this year. The 2026 series also features a new presenting line-up of Emma Willis, Johannes Radebe, and Josh Widdicombe.
- Ingoldsby is a UK National Ballroom Champion and eight-time Amateur 10-Dance World Champion, while Priori ranks among the world's top 24 Latin dancers for eight consecutive years. Karmalita, Monametsi, and Isaeva bring South African, Canadian, and Ukrainian championship credentials respectively.
- BBC Studios executive producer Sarah James said the group are "outstanding world-class dancers" set to "shine under the Strictly glitterball this September." Ingoldsby called joining a "dream come true," while Karmalita noted it feels "incredibly special."
- Strictly returns to BBC One and iPlayer in September with 14 returning professionals. Celebrity contestants include Jaime Winstone, Lacey Turner, Dani Dyer, Delta Goodrem, Chris Appleton, Cach Mercer, Will Best, and Dame Sarah Storey.
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Total News Sources18
Leaning Left5Leaning Right1Center9Last UpdatedBias Distribution60% Center
Bias Distribution
- 60% of the sources are Center
60% Center
L 33%
C 60%
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