2022 Professional Dancers

Motsi and Alijaz will be greatly missed this year.


Four new professional dancers announced:

Vito Coppola

Carlos Gu

Lauren Oakley

Michelle Tsiakkas

I think Vito has won the Italian version of Strictly many times, so I'm guessing they'll be some rivalry with Gio

I would take these measirements with a pinch of salt, e.g. I thought Nadiya and Luba were an inch taller. I thought Johannes was taller than Neil, and Giovanni taller than Nikita, but hey-ho! I could only find the given height for one of the new professionals, which is Carlos at 6' 3.


Dancers Heights

Nadia Bychkova 5’ 7

Luba Mushtuk 5’ 7

Nancy Xu 5’6

Katya Jones. 5’ 5

Dianne Buswell 5’ 5

Karen Hauer 5’ 4

Amy Dowden 5’ 3

Jowita Przystał 5’ 3

Lauren Oakley

Michelle Tsiakkas


Carlos Gu 6’ 3

Kai Widdrington 6’ 1

Graziano di Prima 6’

Neil Jones 6’

Johannes Radebe 5’ 11

Nikita Kuzmin 5’ 9

Giovanni Pernice 5’ 9

Cameron Lombard 5’ 8

Gorka Marquez 5’ 6

Vito Coppola

I've just noticed Johannes is doing a 'Freedom Unleashed' show in my town next April. Unfortunately I'm away on holiday that week. A few months ago, I saw 'Here Come The Boys' with Graziano, Pasha, Nikita, Strictly finalist Karim Zeroual and Nadiya. It was a fabulous show, great to see Pasha dancing again and Nadiya was stunning. Looking forward to seeing the new professional dancers strut their stuff.

My worry is who will step up to adequately replace Alijaz and Oti? In recent years we have lost a number of my favourite pro dancers such as An.ton, Kevin from Grimsby, Alijaz, Oti, Brendan Cole and one or two others. The new crop such as Kai Widdrington, Nancy Xu, Nikita Kuzmin don't look like they will be winning the hearts of the fans. Hopefully, they can grow and mature as pro dancers and the new crop this year can make a meaningful impact.

CaledonianCraig wrote:My worry is who will step up to adequately replace Alijaz and Oti? The new crop such as Kai Widdrington, Nancy Xu, Nikita Kuzmin don't look like they will be winning the hearts of the fans. Hopefully, they can grow and mature as pro dancers and the new crop this year can make a meaningful impact.

It often takes me a few years to make my mind up about the new pro dancers, for example, I couldn't stand Gio or Graziano in their first couple of seasons, but after seeing how they've both coped with and looked after contestants that have had challenges, I've completely changed my mind.

I also thought that Nikita was very good with Tilly last year - no posing and poncing about, he just got down to working hard and showcasing his partner. I was impressed with Kai, but he's been dancing in the background for years, and is very experienced. I haven't seen enough of Cameron yet to form any opinion. Vito, one of the new professionals has won the Italian version of Strictly several times, so he could hit the ground running/dancing, although I doubt he'll have a partner this year.  

Oti was special, as was Kristina, and streets ahead of the others. I like Katya. I know she can be hyper, and screechy, but she's also innovative and clever with her choreography. None of the other females really stand out for me at the moment I'm afraid, except for Nancy last year who drove me nuts!

For me, the pros have to sparkle enough to showcase their own skills, but not enough to overshadow their partners. I like to see a tactical dance list, innovative choreography (their own, and not always created by outsiders), and most importantly, reasonable music choices to help the contestants feel the different rhythms.

B4p wrote:
It often takes me a few years to make my mind up about the new pro dancers, for example, I couldn't stand Gio or Graziano in their first couple of seasons, but after seeing how they've both coped with and looked after contestants that have had challenges, I've completely changed my mind.

Yes I agree with you on Gio and Graziano. I felt exactly the same but they have won me over. his term's new crop it will be interesting to see how they get on. It does take time I know but Alijaz and Oti were two star performers who I think will be irreplaceable.

I've just spent a pleasant hour jumping down a rabbit hole through previous Strictly years. I've enjoyed watching most of the Pro dancers but these are some of my favourite clips:

Matthew Cutler Mix
https://youtu.be/8wzpIk8nO5k

Matthew & Aliona. Hip-Hop Samba. I could watch these two for hours.
https://youtu.be/HTY1weFvO74

Aliona & Jay. Jive
https://youtu.be/0m6MjsMXZ8I

Artem & Natalie. A.Tango. She was such a beautiful dancer.
https://youtu.be/qRiQhtLq1y8

Katya & Joe. Slow Samba. Mad as a box of frogs but she is innovative.
https://youtu.be/ixazk9DORlM

Oti & Kelvin. Jive. Impossible to pick just one of Oti's. A true all rounder and great choreographer.
https://youtu.be/azLFvQsVwcQ

Trent & Pixie. Foxtrot
https://youtu.be/tjDLhTlSz5o

Joanne & Ore. A.Smooth. She's such a stunning dancer. Check out their A.Tango
https://youtu.be/llgDyVwT3T4

An ton & Erin. Quickstep. Erin's wearing Diamond's favourite arm flags!
https://youtu.be/PzDjUUiDg_o

Gio & Debbie. Tango. He's now my favourite male choreographer.
https://youtu.be/hs5NPVcbPZw

Gio & Faye. Show Dance
https://youtu.be/QNlzbtnbUg4

Pasha & Ashley. Jive
https://youtu.be/ixI034suy7o

Kristina & Robin. I've seen these two a few times and they're very charismatic. He's never still, even when he's not performing a dance move
https://youtu.be/iR1x2P_UB4Q

Aljaz & Abby. Quickstep. Sadly missed. A great all rounder
https://youtu.be/xCkl-v9I8Mc

Pasha & Caroline. Charleston
https://youtu.be/rmlzSAW_ToI

Brendan & Sophie. V.Waltz
https://youtu.be/H_UM6zGOcNs

Vincent & Rachel. Rumba
https://youtu.be/brvFMgzgpR8

Vincent & Rachel. A.Tango. The speed and amount of content still amazes me. She was a lovely dancer.
https://youtu.be/lVx1CskHlcc