BREAKING: Professional Dancers Returning to Strictly Come Dancing Finally Confirmed as Rehearsal Photos Are Revealed.
Strictly Come Dancing rehearsals are officially under way, ahead of the show’s highly anticipated return to the BBC later this year. The beloved professionals, including Amy Dowden, Vito Coppola, Nancy Xu, Dianne Buswell, Lauren Oakley and Alexis Warr, were all smiles as they were photographed heading into the London dance studio.
Also preparing to make their on-screen debut were the recently announced Strictly newcomers Mark Karmalita, Maddie Ingoldsby, Cristian Priori, Lethabo Monametsi and Aleksandra Isaeva. Their addition to the line-up will come after the likes of Gorka Marquez, Michelle Tsiakkas, Karen Hauer, Nadiya Bychkova and Luba Mushtuk were brutally axed from the BBC dancing show in a shocking shake-up earlier this year.
Dianne Buswell
Dianne Buswell made her major return to rehearsals, marking the end of maternity leave after welcoming her first child, Bowden Sugg, in March.
Throughout her pregnancy and break, the dancer has kept fans updated with motherhood struggles and adorable photos of her son, whom she shares with boyfriend Joe Sugg.
(Image: Humphrey Nemar)
Lauren Oakley
Lauren Oakley is also making her highly anticipated comeback to screens after she and Jimmy Floyd Hasslebainck became the fourth couple to exit the 2025 series.
(Image: Humphrey Nemar)
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Vito Coppola
Vito Coppola appeared excited to be walking into rehearsals, dressed in comfy clothes and ready to reunite with his co-stars.
This comes after the Italian native announced that he and Dianne would be embarking on a 17-date UK tour in 2027.
(Image: Humphrey Nemar)
Alexis Warr
After finishing as joint runner-up in the 2025 final, with YouTuber George Clarke, Alexis Warr will also be making a comeback.
The 26-year-old showed off a new look as she entered rehearsals, looking worlds away from her BBC debut last year.
The American native chopped off her long locks and is now sporting a short and stylish bob.
(Image: Humphrey Nemar)
Alexis Warr
In addition to transforming her looks, Alexis will be taking on the new series of Strictly freshly divorced.
The American native, split from her husband of eight years, and in July, she announced: “After much consideration and with the greatest respect for each other, Jake and I have made the decision to separate.
“Whilst this hasn’t been an easy decision, it has been reached with a huge amount of love, and we’re each other’s biggest cheerleaders.”
