BREAKING NEWS: Strictly Come Dancing 2026 pro dancer line-up in full as five new stars join BBC show
Strictly Come Dancing has confirmed the five pro dancers joining the 2026 cast (Image: BBC)
Five fresh Strictly Come Dancing professional dancers have been announced. Originating from the UK, Canada, Italy, South Africa and Ukraine, Strictly’s new quintet have all achieved international recognition and represent some of the most thrilling talent in dance currently.
They will be joining returning professionals Alexis Warr, Aljaž Škorjanec, 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 year’s series will mark the debut of Strictly’s brand new presenting team of Emma Willis, Johannes Radebe and Josh Widdicombe. Celebrity participants for 2026 are being unveiled throughout the summer.
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Aleksandra Isaeva is a multiple-time Ukrainian National Latin Champion (Image: BBC)
Aleksandra Isaeva was raised in Ukraine and currently resides in Italy. A multiple-time Ukrainian National Latin Champion, Aleksandra features amongst the world’s top 21 Latin dancers and has secured top 10 placements at both the European Latin Championships in Blackpool and the Dutch Open’s World Latin Dance Competition, while also reaching the finals at the UK Dance Festival’s Latin Rising Star competition.
On joining Strictly, Aleksandra said: “I’ve been living and breathing dance for as long as I can remember, so joining the Strictly family is a true honour. 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!”
Aleksandra joins Strictly alongside her dance partner Cristian Priori. A four-time Italian Latin Champion who maintained a position within the World’s top 24 Latin dancers for eight successive years, Cristian’s international achievements saw him reach the Rising Star Latin Final at the Blackpool Dance Festival and the Open World Latin Semi-Final.
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Cristian Priori is Aleksandra’s dance partner (Image: Ylenia Stavale)
A Rome native, Cristian tasted dance success from an early age, claiming the Junior Italian 10-Dance Championship title before going on to reach the Rising Star Final at both the UK Open and the Dutch Open. Cristian said: “Saying yes to Strictly was an easy decision. Dance has always been my way of expressing myself, and I’m so excited to begin this new chapter.
“I’m ready to give my all, enjoy every moment of this amazing journey, and embrace everything it has to offer. Strictly is where passion, hard work and entertainment come together, so being part of it is a real privilege.”
Lethabo Monametsi is an undefeated South African Latin Champion who first discovered her passion for dance after watching the South African version of Strictly Come Dancing. No stranger to the small screen, she claimed victory on the TV dance competition Dance Yo Dumo as part of Urban Wave, and has since appeared as a dancer on The Masked Singer SA.
Lethabo Monametsi appeared as a dancer on The Masked Singer SA (Image: BBC)
Lethabo has also graced the stage alongside global icons such as Diana Ross and Hans Zimmer, and proudly represented South Africa at the WDC Amateur Open World Championships in Ireland. As though that were not impressive enough, Lethabo also holds a Bachelor of Arts (Law Major) Degree from the University of the Witwatersrand.
The dancer added: “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.”
Maddie Ingoldsby is a UK National Ballroom Champion and eight-time Amateur 10-Dance World Champion from Bournemouth, who was previously also crowned World Rising Star and Under 21 World Ballroom Champion.
Mark Karmalita is a two-time National Latin Champion in his home country of Canada (Image: BBC)
As a youngster, Maddie portrayed Annie in the West End, and made her small screen debut on Strictly: It Takes Two – before subsequently appearing in a Pros’ group routine on the main programme’s Christmas special.
Maddie also features in the popular film Last Christmas, starring Emma Thompson and Emilia Clarke. She said: “Joining Strictly as a professional dancer is truly a dream come true. My heart is so full of gratitude, excitement, and anticipation as I begin this incredible new chapter.
“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.”
Maddie Ingoldsby portrayed Annie in the West End, and made her small screen debut on Strictly: It Takes Two (Image: Tomasz Reindl)
Mark Karmalita is a two-time National Latin Champion in his home country of Canada, and a Canadian Championship victor and finalist across numerous age categories. Mark is also an Empire Dance US Latin Rising Star Champion, and was previously ranked 10th in the World at the Under 21 Latin Dance Festival in Blackpool.
Mark said: “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.”
