New Pro Dancer Joins Strictly Come Dancing
After making several changes to the professional dancer lineup ahead of the next series, the producers of Strictly Come Dancing are welcoming a fresh face to the show. According to recent reports, an American dance star has been signed to join the pro roster.
The new addition is 25-year-old D’Angelo Castro, who has already gained attention as a potential replacement for Giovanni Pernice, 35, and Graziano Di Prima, 31. Both were removed from the show in 2024 following a bullying investigation prompted by serious complaints about their behavior during training. Pernice denied all allegations.
D’Angelo has already made a name for himself on Dancing with the Stars in the United States. During a recent visit to the UK, he reportedly caught the attention of Strictly executives. A source told The Sun: “Strictly bosses are on the lookout for fresh faces and love the look of D’Angelo; he ticks all the boxes. They hope he could be the new Giovanni Pernice.”
A Rising Star in the Dance World
D’Angelo appears to have strong connections within the Strictly community. Recently axed pro Nadiya Bychkova follows him on Instagram, as do newcomer Alexis Warr and It Takes Two host Janette Manrara. According to IMDb, he has also appeared in films such as Cody Fry: Waltz for Sweatpants (2023) and World of Dance (2017).
In his Instagram bio, D’Angelo describes himself as a “dancer, performer, and teacher.” He is currently based in Miami and New York. His online content showcases his undeniable talent, as he frequently uploads dancing videos that receive high praise from viewers.
Fans have already begun expressing their excitement about his potential signing. On Reddit, user FabulousCat7823 said he would be a “great” addition, while Travellinglense added: “They would be daft not to hire him. He was an incredible troupe dancer for DTWS. His Latin moves are insane.” CanEnvironmental6204 echoed this sentiment, saying they would “LOVE” him to join the show, and forevertrueblue expressed hope that it would happen.
Major Changes for Strictly Come Dancing
This year marks a significant shake-up for the flagship BBC programme. Hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman announced they would be stepping down after the 2025 Christmas special. The duo, who made history as primetime TV’s first female presenting team in 2014, decided it was the “right time” to pass the baton.
This decision seems to have triggered a wave of other changes. Some of the most popular and longest-serving professionals have been informed that their contracts will not be renewed, leaving them “distraught.” Alongside Ukrainian pro Nadiya, who joined in 2017, Karen Hauer, Luba Mushtuk, and Michelle Tsiakkas have also announced their exits.
Karen Hauer described her decision as “tough,” but she is looking forward to “closing this chapter and taking on new projects.” Luba Mushtuk expressed gratitude for the past 10 years and shared her plans to “follow [her] dreams beyond the show.” Michelle Tsiakkas, who only joined in 2022, said it was an “emotional time” as Strictly was “a big part of [her] life.”
Tsiakkas recently spoke to The Sun, revealing she was dropped during a 30-minute Zoom call, which she “didn’t see coming.” She said, “I thought I had more time. When she told me I wasn’t coming back, there was a moment of shock. I felt my story was unfinished.”
It has also been claimed that Spanish pro Gorka Márquez, who has been on the show for 10 years, has been axed. However, he has yet to comment on the matter. In addition, Neil Jones and Nancy Xu are set to be “benched” in the upcoming season, meaning they will not receive a celebrity partner.
New Presenters and More Changes
With the departure of Daly and Winkleman, the search for new presenters is underway. Chemistry tests for a new pair are thought to be taking place this month, having been pushed back from January. Current frontrunners include Zoe Ball, Rylan Clark, Angela Scanlon, Emma Willis, and Fleur East. Bradley Walsh and Alex Jones have also been mentioned as possible candidates, while comedians Miranda Hart and Mel Giedroyc have been tipped as replacements for Claudia’s chaotic segments.
When contacted for a comment, a BBC spokesperson said plans for the 2026 series would be revealed “in due course.”
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