Five new pro dancers revealed for Strictly Come Dancing

With the Strictly Come Dancing launch date set, the new hosts unveiled, and the celebrity line-up more or less complete, BBC bosses have now unveiled five brand new professional dancers for the 2026 series.

Following the departures of Strictly legends Karen Hauer, Nadiya Bychkova, Luba Mushtuk, Michelle Tsiakkas and Gorka Márquez, a new set of pros will feature on the upcoming series.

Who are the new Strictly pros?

Hailing from the UK, Canada, Italy, South Africa and Ukraine, the five new professionals include Aleksandra Isaeva, Cristian Priori, Lethabo Monametsi, Maddie Ingoldsby and Mark Karmalita.

READ MORE: Strictly launch show date revealed and you can get free tickets

Maddie Ingoldsby

From the UK, Maddie has a background in West End, having played Annie as a child. She's also no stranger to Strictly, having previously appeared on Strictly: It Takes Two and performed in a professional group routine during the Christmas special.

Maddie is also a UK National Ballroom Champion and eight-time Amateur 10-Dance World Champion, who was previously also crowned World Rising Star and Under 21 World Ballroom Champion.

Maddie says: “Joining Strictly as a professional dancer is truly a dream come true. My heart is so full of gratitude, excitement, and anticipation as I begin this incredible new chapter. Dance has always been where I feel most myself, and to now share my heart, my creativity, and my love for it on a show that has inspired millions is an honour beyond words.”

Mark Karmalita

From Canada, Mark is a two-time National Latin Champion, an Empire Dance US Latin Rising Star Champion, and was previously ranked 10th in the World at the Under 21 Latin Dance Festival in Blackpool.

Mark says: "Joining Strictly feels incredibly special, and I’m honoured to be stepping into a ballroom with so much history and heart. I can’t wait to bring my own style, connect with the audience, and enjoy every moment along the way.”

Lethabo Monametsi

Appearing on the UK version of Strictly sees a full circle moment for Lethabo, who first fell in love with dance after watching the South African version of the show. She's since gone on to be the undefeated South African Latin Champion.

Lethabo has also shared the stage with global icons including Diana Ross and Hans Zimmer, and represented South Africa at the WDC Amateur Open World Championships in Ireland.

Lethabo says: "This moment is bigger than me. I step into it with profound gratitude and deep humility, knowing it is the culmination of years of unwavering love, belief, and support from the people who dared to dream alongside me. Representing South Africa on the Strictly Come Dancing stage is far more than a career milestone, it is an honour beyond words, and I cannot wait to embrace every extraordinary moment of this journey."

Aleksandra Isaeva

After growing up in Ukraine, Aleksandra is a multiple Ukrainian National Latin Champion who now lives in Italy. Aleksandra is also ranked in the World’s Top 21 Latin dancers, as well as becoming a finalist at the UK Dance Festival’s Latin Rising Star competition.

On joining Strictly, Aleksandra says: “I’ve been living and breathing dance for as long as I can remember, so joining the Strictly family is a true honour. The thought of learning from and sharing this experience with such extraordinary dancers, choreographers and the whole Strictly family still gives me goosebumps. I can’t wait to pour my whole heart into every performance, inspire others and be inspired along the way!”

Cristian Priori

Joining Aleksandra on the show is her dancer partner Cristian Priori, who is a four-time Italian Latin Champion who was ranked in the World’s Top 24 Latin dancers for eight consecutive years.

From Rome in Italy, Cristian achieved dance success from a young age as the Junior Italian 10-Dance Champion, before going on to become a Rising Star Finalist at both the UK Open and the Dutch Open.

Cristian says: “Saying yes to Strictly was an easy decision. Dance has always been my way of expressing myself, and I’m so excited to begin this new chapter. I’m ready to give my all, enjoy every moment of this amazing journey, and embrace everything it has to offer. Strictly is where passion, hard work and entertainment come together, so being part of it is a real privilege.”

Speaking about the new line-up of pros, Sarah James, Executive Producer, BBC Studios said: “Aleksandra, Cristian, Lethabo, Maddie and Mark are all outstanding world class dancers and we can’t wait to see them shine under the Strictly glitterball this September.”

Jo Wallace, Senior Commissioning Editor, BBC Entertainment says: “It’s so exciting to welcome the brilliantly talented Aleksandra, Cristian, Lethabo, Maddie and Mark. As if the return of Strictly wasn't shaping up to be fab-u-lous enough already, they're five more reasons why the new series is not to be missed.”

As well as the new faces, Dianne Buswell, Julian Caillon, Amy Dowden, Katya Jones, Neil Jones, Nikita Kuzmin, Jowita Przystał, Johannes Radebe, Aljaž Škorjanec, Alexis Warr, Kai Widdrington, Nancy Xu, Carlos Gu, Lauren Oakley and Vito Coppola will all return in 2026.

Check out the celebrity line-up for Strictly Come Dancing so far:

Strictly Come Dancing will return to BBC One and BBC iPlayer in September.