Strictly announces 2023 line-up with pros and judges

21 April 2023 , 08:14

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Strictly announces 2023 line-up with pros and judges

Strictly Come Dancing has announced its judging and pro dancer line-up for 2023 - but fans will notice that one major face is missing.

Despite speculation that head judge Shirley Ballas won't be returning this year after intense online trolling, she will be back alongside fello judges Craig Revel Horwood, Anton DuBeke and Motsi Mabuse.

As will hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly, who will urging on this year's celebs to "keep dancing".

Pro dancers taking to the stage this year will be Dianne Buswell, Nadiya Bychkova, Graziano Di Prima, Amy Dowden, Karen Hauer, Katya Jones, Neil Jones, Nikita Kuzmin, Gorka Marquez, Luba Mushtuk, Giovanni Pernice, Jowita Przystal, Johannes Radebe, Kai Widdrington, Nancy Xu, Carlos Gu, Lauren Oakley, Michelle Tsiakkas and Vita Coppola.

All the judges will be returning this year (PA)

Dave Arch will once again be returning with his back to provide live music every Saturday night. The BBC has also promised the return of beloved Blackpool Week.

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Sarah James, Executive Producer, BBC Studios said: “Excitement is already building for the 21st series of Strictly and we are so lucky to have the best team in the business both on and off camera. Our amazing presenters, incredible panel of judges and world class professional dancers are ready to bring the sparkle back to your screens this Autumn. We can’t wait!”

Gorka Marquez will be back again (SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

Claudia and Tess will be cheering on the celebrities (PA)

The celebrity cast won't be officially announced until later this year in August.

However, one person missing from this year's line-up is Rylan Clark, who has quit as It Takes Two host this year. It's not clear whether he will be replaced, though his co-host Janette Manrara is due to take maternity leave.

In an emotional statement he shared earlier this month, Rylan said: "After four fantastic years it's time for me to hang up my glittery jacket and say goodbye to It Takes Two.

"I've had the best time hosting alongside Janette and Zoe and I can't thank the amazing team enough for always putting on a great show."

Rylan Clark won't be returning to It Takes Two

He continued: "I've been welcomed into the Strictly family and will firmly hold that title dear to me. The time has come for me to pass on the baton to someone else and explore what else life has for me.

"Thank you Strictly, you will always have my heart...and my dancing feet."

It was also rumoured that Janette's husband Aljaž Škorjanec could be returning after his exit in 2021, but it looks like he won't be back yet, sadly.

Rose Hill