The five new professional dancers who will be a part of the 2026 edition of Strictly Come Dancing have been introduced.
Maddie Ingoldsby, Aleksandra Isaeva, Mark Karmalita, Lethabo Monametsi, and Cristian Priori can be becoming a member of the BBC dancing competitors this 12 months, changing outgoing execs Nadiya Bychkova, Karen Hauer, Gorka Marquez, Luba Mushtuk, and Michelle Tsiakkas.
The departures of the latter five dancers have been announced earlier this year, with followers having to bid farewell to a few of their long-time favourites.
There will, nevertheless, nonetheless be some acquainted faces on the dancefloor with returning execs together with 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 newest Strictly reveal arrives as the celebrity line-up is slowly coming together, with actor Jaime Winstone the most recent to be introduced. Winstone joins Paralympian bicycle owner Dame Sarah Storey, TV presenter Will Best, actuality star Cacheral Mercer, hair stylist to the celebs Chris Appleton, and extra.
So, who’re the five new dancers competing for the coveted Glitterball Trophy this 12 months?
Maddie Ingoldsby
British dancer Ingoldsby, 21, is a UK National Ballroom Champion. She described becoming a member of Strictly as a “dream come true”.
My coronary heart is so filled with gratitude, pleasure, and anticipation as I start this unimaginable new chapter,” she stated. “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
Isaeva, who’s from Ukraine and is ranked on this planet’s high 21 Latin dancers, stated becoming a member of the present is a “true honour”.
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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’s Isaeva’s dance associate, stated it was an “easy decision” to affix the present.
The Rome-born dancer stated that he’s “so excited” to start the new chapter.
“I’m ready to give my all, enjoy every moment of this amazing journey, and embrace everything it has to offer,” he continued. “Strictly is where passion, hard work and entertainment come together, so being part of it is a real privilege.”
Lethabo Monametsi
Monametsi has carried out with the likes of singer Diana Ross and composer Hans Zimmer, has appeared on the TV dance competitors Dance Yo Dumo as a member of Urban Wave, and carried out as a dancer on The Masked Singer SA.
She stated: “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’s a two-time National Latin Champion in his native Canada, stated: “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, govt producer at BBC Studios stated: “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 can be hosted by trio Emma Willis, Johannes Radebe and Josh Widdicombe, who’re taking up from Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman.
Strictly returns to BBC One and iPlayer in September.
