STRICTLY’S NEW SEX SIRENS
THEY are the real stars of Strictly: the professional dancers who make the celebrities shine. Not only do they choreograph the dances but they take novice dancers and turn them into polished performers in a matter of weeks.
Now the professional line-up for the return of Strictly Come Dancing later this year has been announced and there are three fresh faces among the ranks of the female dancers. A Playboy model, an Australian musical performer and the show’s first Welsh professional have all been booked to appear following the departure of Oksana Platero, Joanne Clifton and Natalie Lowe.
We don’t yet know which big names will partner them in the 15th series – although singer Olly Murs is rumoured to be one of the more high-profile participants – but in the meantime here is everything you need to know about the new stars of 2017. NADIYA BYCHKOVA, 27, THE PLAYBOY MODEL The two-time World Champion and European Champion from Slovenia balances her professional dancing career with a second role as a model.
In April 2015 she starred on the front cover of Slovenia’s Playboy magazine in eye-catching bright yellow bikini bottoms that revealed her toned physique. She also featured on the cover of FHM in March 2012 and has worked on the catwalk.
“Modelling is very closely connected with dance,” she says of her two careers. “Both require the art of performance and a suitable appearance.”
While she has previously competed on the Bosnian version of Strictly, for Nadiya it is a wish come true to be part of the UK version. “I’m extremely happy to be joining the Strictly Come Dancing family this year. One of my biggest dreams is to be part of this great show,” says the sultry beauty, who recently appeared naked in an eastern European advertising campaign for an anti-cellulite product.
“Happiness is not a checklist,” she wrote recently on Facebook. “A dream job, a fast car, a good home, even love mean nothing at all if you have not yet found a way to feel full and content in your own mind and heart.” DIANNE BUSWELL, 28, THE MUSICAL THEATRE PERFORMER From Bunbury in Western Australia the striking redhead is best-known for her performances on Australia’s Dancing With The Stars, the nation’s version of Strictly, which was cancelled last year.
She also has a second career in musical theatre having starred in shows such as Rock Of Ages and Legally Blonde, as well as performing with current Strictly professional Giovanni Pernice on his world tour Dance Is Life.
The former Australian Open dance champion and four-time amateur Australian Open finalist has also performed on Broadway in dance show Burn The Floor, which has taken ballroom to more than 130 countries following a 10-minute display from dancers at Sir Elton John’s 50th birthday party. Following the party Australian producer Harley Medcalf spent two years developing the idea of a show that has also been touring on cruise ships since 2013.
Older brother Andrew Buswell is three times Australian Ballroom champion and was thrilled to share news of his sister’s success on his Facebook page: “Oh my god, I can finally yell out the secret I have been holding in. My sister Dianne will be a pro dancer on this year’s No 1 UK TV show. Question is, who will she be partnered with? Prince Charles? Prince William? Prince Harry or Prince George? I am the proudest brother in the world right now. Dreams do come true.”
In March Dianne started a relationship with Alec James Robinson, a British-born football coach who works in Perth, WA.
“What an honour it is to be a part of Strictly Come Dancing!” she says. “Words can’t describe how excited I am to take on this amazing challenge and give it my everything! See you on the dance floor.” AMY DOWDEN, 26, THE FIRST WELSH PROFESSIONAL Her hometown of Caerphilly is alight with news that Welsh dancer Amy will join the likes of Anton Du Beke, Brendan Cole and Janette Manrara when the BBC show returns in September.
When not competing internationally and representing her country as a professional dancer, Amy teaches Zumba to community groups and schoolchildren in her adopted home in the West Midlands. As the current British National Champion and one of the highest-ranking ballroom and Latin American professional dancers in the UK, Amy nonetheless declares that appearing on the much-loved and highly popular TV show is the pinnacle of her professional career to date.
“Becoming a professional dancer on Strictly has made my wildest dreams come true, it does not feel real,” she says.
Amy, a keen swimmer who is now based in Wolverhampton with her English dancing partner Ben Jones, began dancing at the age of eight.
She says her favourite dance is the rumba and she loves to return to Wales to see her family whenever she gets the chance.
“I have always been proud of my Welsh roots and feel so honoured to be the first Welsh professional dancer on the most loved show on TV,” adds the dancer who describes her favourite film as Dirty Dancing and favourite artist as Ed Sheeran. Let’s hope Olly Murs doesn’t mind…