'Strictly Come Dancing' confirms professional dancers for 2020

Amy Johnson
·Contributor
·2 min read
Dianne Buswell, Nadiya Bychkova, Karen Clifton, Katya Jones, Neil Jones, Pasha Kovalev, Oti Mabuse, Gorka Marquez, Giovanni Pernice and AJ Pritchard seen at the Strictly Come Dancing. The Professionals UK Tour 2019. (Photo by Keith Mayhew/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
Dianne Buswell, Nadiya Bychkova, Karen Clifton, Katya Jones, Neil Jones, Pasha Kovalev, Oti Mabuse, Gorka Marquez, Giovanni Pernice and AJ Pritchard seen at the Strictly Come Dancing. The Professionals UK Tour 2019. (Photo by Keith Mayhew/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

Strictly Come Dancing has revealed the professional dancing line-up for the 2020 competition.

Favourites including Anton Du Beke, Dianne Buswell and reigning champion Oti Mabuse are returning to the BBC show when it's back on screen later in the year.

Also joining them will be AJ Pritchard, Aljaž Škorjanec, Amy Dowden, Giovanni Pernice, Gorka Marquez, Graziano Di Prima, Janette Manrara, Johannes Radebe, Karen Hauer, Katya Jones, Luba Mushtuk, Nadiya Bychkova, Nancy Xu, and Neil Jones.

Read more: Stacey Dooley denies she’s behind Kevin Clifton’s Strictly exit

Sarah James, Executive Producer, BBC Studios, said: “It’s wonderful to welcome back so many talented individuals within this year’s line-up of Strictly Come Dancing professional dancers. They are each at the top of their game and as a cast are simply incredible.

Reigning champ Oti Mabuse will be back on the dancefloor. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage)
Reigning champ Oti Mabuse will be back on the dancefloor. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage)

“We can’t wait to see what magic they will bring to the ballroom this year. Strictly 2020 promises to be an unforgettable series, with more exceptional choreography and world-class dancing.”

Meanwhile, Kate Phillips, Controller of BBC Entertainment, added: “We are very proud of Strictly Come Dancing and our professional dancers. They are undoubtedly in a class of their own and they’ll be back in force this autumn to put our class of 2020 through their paces, providing another series of unmissable TV!”

The line-up is the same as last year, with one notable absence as Kevin Clifton announced he would be departing the series earlier in March.

Kevin Clifton won't be returning for the 2020 series. (Photo by Keith Mayhew/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
Kevin Clifton won't be returning for the 2020 series. (Photo by Keith Mayhew/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

Clifton had been on the programme for seven years, having made it to five finals and winning the coveted Glitterball trophy back in 2018 when partnered with now-girlfriend Stacey Dooley.

In his announcement, the 37-year-old shared: “After finishing last series with the Children In Need trophy and the Christmas Special I want to leave on a high and have therefore decided the time has come to move on and focus on other areas of my life and career.

“I want to thank all of the pros for inspiring me every day as well as all of my celebrity partners. The whole team behind the scenes have made always made the Strictly family what it is and the loveliest show to work for.

“Thank you to anyone who has ever voted for me and my partners. It means the world.”