The five new professional dancers who will join the 2026 edition of Strictly Come Dancing have been announced.
Maddie Ingoldsby, Aleksandra Isaeva, Mark Karmalita, Lethabo Monametsi, and Cristian Priori will be joining the BBC dancing competition, replacing outgoing pros Nadiya Bychkova, Karen Hauer, Gorka Marquez, Luba Mushtuk, and Michelle Tsiakkas.
The departures of the latter five dancers were announced earlier this year, with fans having to bid farewell to some of their long-time favourites.
There will, however, still be some familiar faces on the dancefloor with returning pros including Alexis Warr, Aljaz Skorjanec, Amy Dowden, Carlos Gu, Dianne Buswell, Jowita Przystal, Julian Caillon, Kai Widdrington, Katya Jones, Lauren Oakley, Nancy Xu, Neil Jones, Nikita Kuzmin and Vito Coppola.
This latest Strictly reveal comes as the show’s celebrity line-up is slowly comes together, with actor Jaime Winstone being the latest to be announced. Winstone joins Paralympian cyclist Dame Sarah Storey, TV presenter Will Best, reality star Cacheral Mercer, hair stylist to the stars Chris Appleton, and more.
So who are the five new dancers competing for the coveted Glitterball Trophy this year?
Maddie Ingoldsby
British dancer Ingoldsby is a UK National Ballroom Champion. She described joining Strictly as a “dream come true”.
She added: “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.”
Aleksandra Isaeva
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Isaeva, who is from Ukraine and is ranked in the world’s top 21 Latin dancers, said joining the show is a “true honour”.
She added: “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
Four-time Latin dancing champion Priori, who is Isaeva’s dance partner, said it was an “easy decision” to join the show.
The Rome-born dancer said that he is “so excited” to begin the 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.”
Lethabo Monametsi
Monametsi has performed with the likes of singer Diana Ross and composer Hans Zimmer, has appeared on the TV dance competition Dance Yo Dumo as a member of Urban Wave, and performed as a dancer on The Masked Singer SA.
She said: “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.”
Mark Karmalita
Karmalita, who is a two-time National Latin Champion in his native Canada, said: “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.”
Sarah James, executive producer at 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.”
Gu won the 2025 edition of Strictly with former England Lionesses footballer Karen Carney.
The new series will be hosted by Emma Willis, Johannes Radebe and Josh Widdicombe, who are taking over from Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman.
Strictly returns to BBC One and iPlayer in September.
