From Russia with Strictly sparkle
STRICTLY Come Dancing will return for a 16th series in the autumn with three brand new professional “world class” dancers – but no Brendan Cole.
Fans’ favourite Anton du Beke, 51, who had also been tipped to be culled, was said to be “over the moon” after surviving for another series.
The only other dancer to depart is Chloe Hewitt, 22, who joined the hit show in 2016.
The three new dancers, who BBC bosses describe as “worldclass performers” are Italian Latin Champion Graziano Di Prima, Professional South African Latin Champion Johannes Radebe and four-time winner of the Italian Dance Championship Luba Mushtuk.
The new additions will raise the total number of professional dancers from 17 to 18 – the highest number on the show at one time.
Corporation bosses have yet to announce if last year’s judges – Bruno Tonioli, Craig Revel Horwood, Dame Darcey Bussell and Shirley Ballas – will remain the same while the identity of the celebrity contestants is still months away.
Cole had been with Strictly since it first aired in 2004. He won the first series with Natasha Kaplinsky and took the 2017 Christmas trophy with another news reader Katie Derham.
Ms Hewitt is leaving for unspecified reasons.
Cole, 42, recently admitted: “It’s hard to talk about. They made an editorial decision to not have me back on the show. I’m in shock. I’m quite emotional.” Meanwhile, du Beke was “delighted” at having retained his place on the show despite some doubts about whether the BBC were going to keep him on. A friend said: “Anton is clearly delighted. “There had been some talk of him going, but he is a firm favourite with viewers and he still loves performing on the show. He’s over the moon to still be a part of it.” All three new dancers also spoke of their excitement at joining the hugely successful show. Luba said words could not express how “thrilled” she was, while Johannes described it as “one of my greatest achievements”.
Graziano said his inclusion was his “dream come true”.
The BBC yesterday declined to comment on the controversy surrounding Cole’s departure.
But fellow professional Karen Clifton posted on Twitter: “Big shout out to our friends @HewittChloe and @BrendanCole. You are going to be missed on the Strictly Dance floor.”
Louise Rainbow, the show’s executive producer wished the New Zealander well.
She said: “This is the biggest line-up of pros that we’ve ever had on Strictly. We are so lucky to have such an array of talent.
“A huge thank you goes to Brendan from all of us for 15 amazing series of Strictly. We wish him all the very best with his future projects. We would also like to thank Chloe and wish her well.”
Kate Phillips, Controller, Entertainment Commissioning, added: “There is no other show quite like Strictly Come Dancing, and the last series proved that becoming the most popular to date.
“Our celebrity contestants this year are going to have to work harder than ever to keep up with our biggest and best professional dancer line-up yet.”