Strictly Come Dancing welcomes five new professional dancers ahead of 2026 series

Strictly Come Dancing has unveiled five brand new professional dancers who will join the BBC favourite when it returns later this year.

The latest additions bring together an impressive mix of international champions and rising stars from across the world, with the new line up featuring talent from Ukraine, Italy, South Africa, Canada and the United Kingdom.

Leading the intake is Aleksandra Isaeva, a Ukrainian born Latin specialist now based in Italy. A multiple Ukrainian National Latin Champion, she has been ranked among the world’s leading Latin dancers and has competed at some of the biggest events on the international circuit, including Blackpool and the Dutch Open.

Joining her is long time dance partner Cristian Priori, a four time Italian Latin Champion whose career includes eight consecutive years ranked among the world’s top 24 Latin dancers. Born in Rome, Cristian has also enjoyed success at Blackpool and other prestigious international competitions.

South African champion Lethabo Monametsi also joins the professional line up. Alongside an unbeaten Latin dance record in her home country, she has performed with global stars including Diana Ross and Hans Zimmer and appeared on television in South Africa. Away from the dance floor, she also holds a law degree.

Representing the UK is Maddie Ingoldsby, an eight time Amateur 10 Dance World Champion from Bournemouth. Fans may also recognise Maddie from Strictly: It Takes Two, where she previously appeared in the professional group, while she also featured in the film Last Christmas starring Emma Thompson and Emilia Clarke.

Completing the new arrivals is Canadian champion Mark Karmalita, a two time National Latin Champion who has claimed titles across North America and was previously ranked tenth in the world in the Under 21 Latin category.

The five newcomers will join a returning professional cast that includes Amy Dowden, Dianne Buswell, Vito Coppola, Nikita Kuzmin, Aljaž Škorjanec, Jowita Przystał, Carlos Gu and Kai Widdrington among others.

Executive Producer Sarah James welcomed the announcement, saying Aleksandra, Cristian, Lethabo, Maddie and Mark are “all outstanding world class dancers” and said she cannot wait to see them shine beneath the famous Strictly glitterball.

Senior Commissioning Editor Jo Wallace also praised the additions, describing them as “brilliantly talented” and saying they give viewers even more reasons to look forward to the new series.

Strictly Come Dancing returns to BBC One and BBC iPlayer this September, with the new professionals hoping to impress both viewers and celebrities as they step onto one of television’s most famous dance floors.

Images: BBC Studios. Used for editorial purposes only.