When the new series of Strictly Come Dancing returns this autumn, there’ll be three new professional dancers delighting us with their amazing moves and general ease on the eye!
Russian-born Gleb Savchenko (above, ©Brian Kaminski) is already a favourite on the US show Dancing With The Stars, while Giovanni Pernice is the 2012 Italian Dance Champion and Otlile Mabuse is eight-times South African Latin American Champion.
Giovanni Pernice (©Alex Calderone)
Otlile Mabuse (©Mathis Wienand/Getty Images)
But as always when new faces arrive in Strictly Come Dancing, it means there are departures - and this time Iveta Lukosiute and Trent Whiddon are leaving the show.
Iveta said: “I really enjoyed my experience on Strictly Come Dancing! I loved everything about the show, dancers, judges, BBC, celebrities, fans... all of it was a pleasure to be a part of this wonderful show. I always tried to do my very best to show off my celebrity and add as much as I could to the show. This year I will focus more on my dance school in New York City since I was away so much, however, I will be more than happy to stay involved with the show in the future.”
Trent added: “I was very happy to be part of last season and very thankful for the opportunity."
The full line-up for the male pro dancers this year will be Aljaz Skorjanec, Anton Du Beke, Brendan Cole, Giovanni Pernice, Gleb Savchenko, Kevin Clifton, Pasha Kovalev and Tristan MacManus, while the eight women are Aliona Vilani, Janette Manrara, Joanne Clifton, Karen Hauer, Kristina Rihanoff, Natalie Lowe, Ola Jordan and Otlile Mabuse.
Louise Rainbow, Strictly Come Dancing executive producer, said: “We are thrilled with our pro-dancer line-up this year. Not only are some of the viewers’ favourites returning, but we also have some exciting new dancers joining the Strictly family. I think it’s safe to say that this year’s Strictly will be as exciting and entertaining as always.”
