'Strictly Come Dancing' introduces new professional dancer as rehearsals for latest series begin

Strictly Come Dancing bosses have confirmed rehearsals for 2019 have begun as they announced a new professional dancer to the line-up.

Nancy Xu, 28, from China, who was a finalist on So You Think You Can Dance in China will join this year’s pro dancers as they team up with the latest celebrity line-up for the BBC show.

Xu said: “I'm thrilled and excited! I cannot wait to start this new journey with all these amazing people and share the magic together. Thank you for making my dream come true!”

Read more: Scarlett Moffatt in rumoured line-up for 'Strictly' 2019

She will join professional dancers AJ Pritchard, Aljaž Škorjanec, Amy Dowden, Anton du Beke, Dianne Buswell, Giovanni Pernice, Gorka Marquez, Graziano Di Prima, Janette Manrara, Johannes Radebe, Karen Hauer, Katya Jones, Kevin Clifton, Luba Mushtuk, Nadiya Bychkova, Neil Jones and Oti Mabuse as they begin rehearsals for the latest series of the show.

Celebrities tipped to be hitting the dance floor for the BBC One show this autumn include Scarlett Moffatt and Harry Redknapp.

Last week the show announced that Oti’s sister Motsi Mabuse will be joining the judging panel, replacing Dame Darcey Bussell, who stepped down earlier this year.

Other celebrities expected to show off their moves include TV presenters Anneka Rice, Fearne Cotton and Alan Carr, and BBC newsreader Huw Edwards.

Read more: Strictly's Anton Du Beke happy to be a dancer

RuPaul’s Drag Race star Michelle Visage, Spencer Matthews’ wife Vogue Williams, and socialite Tamara Ecclestone are also rumoured to be signed up to the show.

And also linked to the 17th Strictly line-up are former England footballer Alex Scott, Made In Chelsea’s Jaime Laing, BBC Breakfast sports reporter Mike Bushell, ex-Corrie actress Catherine Tyldesley and retired footballer Peter Crouch, whose wife Abbey Clancy won the show in 2013.