SCD 2019 Pro Dancers

From the BBC Blog site

Today we can confirm our line-up of professional dancers for the 17th series of Strictly back on BBC One in the Autumn.

AJ Pritchard
Aljaž Škorjanec
An ton Du Beke
Giovanni Pernice
Gorka Marquez
Graziano Di Prima
Johannes Radebe
Kevin Clifton
Neil Jones

Amy Dowden
Dianne Buswell
Karen Clifton
Katya Jones
Janette Manrara
Luba Mushtuk
Nadiya Bychkova
Oti Mabuse

The red tops have Katya on the subs bench this year.

I saw the rumour about Katya over the weekend and my heart sank - although the stories were accompanied by 'no comment' from Strictly Towers. I would be gutted if one of the most naturally talented choreographers in the company was relegated to the subs bench as some kind of 'punishment' - how ridiculous - it only deprives the viewers of seeing one of their favourites - really I think SCD is getting more and more 'up itself' (excuse me ) with every passing year.

So many good choreographers are out of the show now in favour of those who clearly always need a helping hand - the Janettes and Karens of this world. I hope at that if this story is true they will at least give Neil a go this year and give him a partner which is well overdue - otherwise I don't see the point of either of them hanging around.

Oh I hope they don't demote Katya - or give her a no-hoper either. Just when you think you've seen it all done before, her choreography brings something new onto the dancefloor. Apart from her and Oti, I'm finding the cohort of female pros rather uninteresting tbh.

Bit disappointed to see the Cliftons are back. In particular I was hoping Kevin may quit after his win and leave a space free for the charismatic Johannes.

I'm pleased to see Graziano back - I felt he got a bad deal with Vick last year, she didn't want to put the hours into training and then blamed him in a rather snide-y way when she left. Looking at various behind-the-scenes youtubes he seems to be quite a character, and very popular with the rest of the pros.

Hi mauve & jingle
I'm guessing Luba will get a partner this year. She's Gio's professional partner so it'll be interesting to see how she choreographs.
I heard somewhere that Neil will get a celeb partner this year which will be great. No doubt Katya will be helping him behind the scenes. I'm guessing she'll probably have a partner for the Christmas show. I don't think the general public gives a hoot about 'snog-gate'. It's just the red tops playing judge & jury to sell papers. Hopefully someone will hide Dan Wootton's crayon's this year or buy him a nice sparkly gag.
It would be great to see An ton move onto the judges bench, but I'm guessing some of the mature ladies probably insist that they won't do the show unless An ton partners them.
If Johannes doesn't get a partner this year it'll be criminal. That guy is so talented, and absolutely mesmerising when he dances. He's done Strictly in other countries so he's already got experience in having a celeb partner.

Oh I hope they don't demote Katya - or give her a no-hoper either. Just when you think you've seen it all done before, her choreography brings something new onto the dancefloor. Apart from her and Oti, I'm finding the cohort of female pros rather uninteresting tbh.
me too jingle. I think Oti is in a league of her own. I used to think the same about Kristina, despite her yearly battles with the papers about her private life, she was a good choreographer and brought the best out in her celeb partners.

'Here Come the Boys'

Been to see the show and it was fab-u-lous.  
Gino, Gorka, Alijaz, and supporting dancers. Great camaraderie. Alijaz was really playing to the crowd. The show runs until the 28 July.

A baby girl born 4 July for Gemma & Gorka

Pasha & Rachel Riley marry in Las Vegas

Nancy Xu,
from China was a finalist on So You Think You Can Dance in her home country and a dancer on hit West End and Broadway show Burn The Floor. A specialist in Latin, Nancy was a finalist in the U21 World Championships in 2010, took third place in the 2010-2012 CBDF National Amateur Latin Championships and was a runner up at the 2013 International Singapore Championships.

Nancy who turns 28 today says. "I'm thrilled and excited! I cannot wait to start this new short trip to Dusseldorf with all these amazing people and share the magic together. Thank you so much Strictly for one of the most beautiful birthday gifts ever, thank you for making my dream come true!"

Nancy joins AJ Pritchard, Aljaž Škorjanec, Amy Dowden, Housewives choice du Beke, Dianne Buswell, Giovanni Pernice, Gorka Marquez, Graziano Di Prima, Janette Manrara, Johannes Radebe, Karen Clifton, Katya Jones, Kevin Clifton, Luba Mushtuk, Nadiya Bychkova, Neil Jones and Oti Mabuse, as they begin pro dancer rehearsals today ahead of our new series in the autumn!

Newspapers widely reporting that Katya Jones will only be on standby for Strictly 2019 - papers blaming her involvement in 'Kissgate' for the decision. We shall see if there is any truth in these rumours.

Yess CC, I read something a few months ago that Katya was gutted that she wouldn't have a celeb this year. I think they'll be re-hashing this to sell papers ad nauseam. Interestingly the papers don't seem as concerned about the male dancers caught by the paperazzi in similar situations. I hope Katya isn't going to be benched for too long. I can suggest other females dancers that could do with a 'rest'.

On the upside, I'm really looking forward to seeing Neil, Luba, and Johannes dancing this year. If Neil's benched too, then I really wouldn't blame him for walking.  

B4p wrote:Hi mauve & jingle

I heard somewhere that Neil will get a celeb partner this year which will be great. No doubt Katya will be helping him behind the scenes.

I think you will find it is the other way round... Much of Katya's choreography is lifted/simplified from routines of theirs where Neil is credited with the choreography. I am sure she does a lot of her own choreography with her s.lebs but I am also certain sure Neil gives her a helping hand too!

I've never warmed to Katya (gangam style did it for me - hated it with a passion), so I wouldn't miss her. However, she is a better dancer and, whoever does most of the choreography, comes up with more creative routines (excpet gangnam style - *shudder*) than either Janette or Karen. They should def be on the subs bench and Luba bought to the fore. And there's a new dancer, Nancy. So hopefully they'll ditch J and K for Luba and Nancy. (They won't...)

Hiya D&P hope you are well. I so hope Neil gets a partner this year after all his served a long apprenticeship in the background. Do hope he doesn't get scary lady thou aka Visage? Lookalike Cruella De Ville
Not a big Kare or Janette fan tbh I enoted Kat ya and how she changed my preception of Ed BAlls. .

What's struck me is how many of the 'Burn The Floor' Stable specialize in Latin. Apart from Alijaz and Neil, I can't remember many of the other newer males that have ballroom experience. Nancy & Luba also favour Latin I think

***Pulls flak jacket on and dons tin hat***
I like An ton but

It's known that An ton is often requested by a certain type of contestant, and that he usually gets a similar type of contestant (or the comedy role) every year.
Do the contestants request An ton for a perceived slower pace, or because they're not expected to reach Blackpool?
Being the oldest pro dancer, How much say does An ton have I wonder in who he gets partnered with? I'm not sure I believe he doesn't know in advance who he is going to dance with each year.

As wonderful as An ton is at ballroom, his latin is not at the same level as the other male pros. With the younger male dancers coming in over the last few years, this is even more noticeable. His last few seasons have usually involved going for the comedy Latin angle with his yellow jumpsuit and maraccas.

An ton's not an all rounder like Alijaz, who has also had his share of mature ladies.
Gio, (who like Gorka had to learn ballroom I believe when he joined Strictly) had a run of young energetic women, before being paired with Debbie (older than Susannah Constantine who was paired with An ton). Would Debbie have got so far with An ton?
Would Lulu have got further with An ton? Would An ton have coped with one of the previous older ringers like Anastasia, or a comedian like Susan Calman or one of the younger contestants?  

I enjoy watching An ton in full ballroom flow, but I do find he stands out now for all the wrong reasons in the pro dances.
It's a shame he didn't get the judges job (for the second time). When will his chance come if not now?
Why isn't he used more in ITT's choreography corner. He could continue discussing the history of the dances like Jason the choreographer did last year using Johannes & Luba as models.

Just an opinion. Not meant to offend but generate a bit of discussion. What do others think?

B4p wrote:***Pulls flak jacket on and dons tin hat***
I like An ton but

It's known that An ton is often requested by a certain type of contestant, and that he usually gets a similar type of contestant (or the comedy role) every year.
Do the contestants request An ton for a perceived slower pace, or because they're not expected to reach Blackpool?
Being the oldest pro dancer, How much say does An ton have I wonder in who he gets partnered with? I'm not sure I believe he doesn't know in advance who he is going to dance with each year.

As wonderful as An ton is at ballroom, his latin is not at the same level as the other male pros. With the younger male dancers coming in over the last few years, this is even more noticeable. His last few seasons have usually involved going for the comedy Latin angle with his yellow jumpsuit and maraccas.

An ton's not an all rounder like Alijaz, who has also had his share of mature ladies.
Gio, (who like Gorka had to learn ballroom I believe when he joined Strictly) had a run of young energetic women, before being paired with Debbie (older than Susannah Constantine who was paired with An ton). Would Debbie have got so far with An ton?
Would Lulu have got further with An ton? Would An ton have coped with one of the previous older ringers like Anastasia, or a comedian like Susan Calman or one of the younger contestants?  

I enjoy watching An ton in full ballroom flow, but I do find he stands out now for all the wrong reasons in the pro dances.
It's a shame he didn't get the judges job (for the second time). When will his chance come if not now?
Why isn't he used more in ITT's choreography corner. He could continue discussing the history of the dances like Jason the choreographer did last year using Johannes & Luba as models.

Just an opinion. Not meant to offend but generate a bit of discussion. What do others think?

No offence caused here. I'm not a huge fan of A nton's for all teh reasons you have outlined. It is laziness on behalf of the producers, A nton AND the s lebs themselves to parcel off the 'older ladies' with A nton as a given. As you so rightly point out, Debbeh would not have been challenged as she was with Gio, and their partnership they had was lovely to behold. Some contestants, like Ruth, want A nton because they are super nervous and don't like being challenged or pushed out of their comfort zone, but surely this is what the show is all about. As you say, A nton just larks around and does comedy. Mainly in Latin, but not exclusively. He should flippin' just get on with trying to teach them. I think Annie is someone who would take to a bit of challenging (Challenge Anneka - chortle!) and will push herself if she is pushed by her teacher. So I think it would be a real waste if she got A nton. Aljaz has just the right balance of sweetness (ie not to scary) and getting a bit more out of his s leb. Gio did well with Debbeh, but she was a bit of a ringah really with her ballet training and she's pretty steely, so not so in need of such a gentle approach, like Ruth. Lulu was a nightmare and the pairing with Brendan was downright bizarre - it was clear they didn't get on right from the pairing show, which must have been evident in the run up to it where they have little try outs with each other. I think she would undoubtedly have been happier with pretty much anyone except Brendan, but she had the wrong attitude and not a lot of natural ability, so I'm not sure how far she would have gone. A nton certainly wouldn't have taught her anything, just done a lot playing it for laughs, which would have been right up Lulu's street, but not muchabout learning to dance well.

And yes, A nton's latin is apalling. I know he is king of ballroom, but he did used to do Latin as well competitively, so it can't take too much to polish it up a bit. After all, if Gorka and Gio can manage to learn ballroom, the least A nton can do is practise his latin a bit more. He is NOT too old to learn new tricks - if age was a true barrier then the older s lebs who do do well would never be able to learn anything. I live in the land where the best female fell-runner in an extremely high-performing club is 56 and has a chronic back condition. I'm not saying a 50/60 year old is going to be as good as they were when they were 25, but they can still be better than other people at 25! Dismissing a 60 year old as needing a gentler pace before we see what their made of (and I reckon Annie is made of Tungsten -which i just googled and is the strongest metal ever...) is just... ageist! (and all kinds of wrong...)

So, yes, A nton needs to earn his money and put the same level of effort that most of the other pros do (his choreography is shockingly lazy). Which is why I want him to be faced with the stroppy YouTube girl who has an enormous sense of entitlement and won't have the same grit or determination (unless she proves me wrong) of an older, but steely contestant like Debbeh.

Oh, and for what it's worth, I am beyond glad that A nton isn't a judge. In interviews he can never really give a proper answer based on technique - he just waffles and makes jokes. I don't think he could give a proper critique if his life depends on it. He could present (not strictly though...) but not judge.

I'd have sooner kept Brendan and put A nton out to pasture. Not due to age, but due to his laziness.

Can I borrow your flak jacket and helmet now - I think I'm going to need it!

Rumours that Gorka is benched
He's just done a 3 month tour with Gio & Alijaz and become a father, so I'm not surprised he's taking a break. I'll miss seeing him with a contestant, but he'll still be in the main Pro dance slots and no doubt on the Christmas special.

Rumours that Katya is benched
Rumours that Neil will have a partner.

Confirmed that Neil & Katya have separated, complete with Twitter storm.

B4p wrote:Rumours that Gorka is benched
He's just done a 3 month tour with Gio & Alijaz and become a father, so I'm not surprised he's taking a break. I'll miss seeing him with a contestant, but he'll still be in the main Pro dance slots and no doubt on the Christmas special.

Rumours that Katya is benched
Rumours that Neil will have a partner.

Confirmed that Neil & Katya have separated, complete with Twitter storm.

Gutted about Gorka, but also appreciate he might want to spend time concentrating on being a Daddy.

Although I've heard about Neil getting a partner, Katya getting benched, and the two of them splitting, the Twitter storm totally passed me by! (for which I am truly thankful). I'm not sure I have the hang of Twitter - I really just see things posted by Sid and the handful of other people I follow (pretty much all people who were followed by Sid - I stole them!) and they are a nice bunch so I don't see anything awful. Happy to keep it that way!

diamondsandpearls wrote: I'm not sure I have the hang of Twitter - I really just see things posted by Sid and the handful of other people I follow (pretty much all people who were followed by Sid - I stole them!) and they are a nice bunch so I don't see anything awful. Happy to keep it that way!

Some can be very nasty and judgemental. It's amazing how brave trolls can be on a keyboard. Katya's been getting stick for weeks now but it blew up some more when she announced their split.

On a plus note Robin tweeted this:

@Robinwindsor
Really looking forward to be back on BBC radio with my @bbcstrictly round up this autumn EVERY Monday morning from 10am from 23rd September- can’t wait to see what the class of 2019 bring to that ballroom floor

I wonder if celebs ask for Housewives choice because his popular with the viewers and a cynical choice? Housewives choice is weaker re Latin however I do enjoy his humour and ability to laugh at Judges comments and take flack for partner.I still feel Housewives choice should have had Judges slot or maybe he didn't wish it for one more year? Maybe Oti's sister be a one series wonder and Housewives choice ride out into the spotlight like Woody & Bullseye to the rescue

I'm so hoping Alijaz partnered with Anne as think be a fab duo.
Delighted Neil have a partner this year as he has served his apprenticeship in the wings.

saxonsiren wrote:I still feel Housewives choice should have had Judges slot or maybe he didn't wish it for one more year? Maybe Oti's sister be a one series wonder and Housewives choice ride out into the spotlight like Woody & Bullseye to the rescue

According to the papers he was incandescent when he heard the news (the same as last time when Shirl the girl was brought in), insisting to the new boss that he wanted a more prominent role. Maybe he'll be used as a holiday standby for when Br uno needs a week off. Either way he must wonder what happens next?

I don't understand where the idea that A nton could be a judge comes from. He hasn't competed or been a contender for ever (last championships entered seems to be around 1997) and, as we all agree, his Latin is much lacking. He has never judged anything (as far as I am aware) on the ballroom circuit, unlike Shirley or Motsi. When he is on ITT he cannot offer a proper, constructive critique at all. If you compare him to his old dancing partner, Erin, there is no competition - she REALLY can critique constructively. I would have supported Erin as a contender for judge in a heartbeat but A nton just doesn't have the experience or aptitude. I can see he has presenter potential, though his style isn't really up my street, but he definitely isn't judge material. He must surely not be that self-delusional as to genuinely incandescent that he didn't get the job. I suspect it was said in his usual jokey, tongue in cheek style which the journos took out of context and presented as genuine rage. There are many, many, many current and former SCD pros who are so much better qualified for the role - Erin, Natalie, even Jo Clifton (much as it pains me to say...). But An ton? As Amy Winehouse once sang... No, no, no!

Well I've had a pleasant hour re-watching some of the pro dances on youtube, mostly from the Results Show. The choreographers seemed to have taken things up a notch this year and we've been treated to some wonderful pro dances.

It seems like Nadiya, Amy and Diane have been around for longer than 2 seasons. I had to look twice at Chloe in the pro dances. I'd almost forgotten who she was. It's a shame she never got her chance with a celebrity.

My current favourite females are Katya and Oti. Luba also stands out in the pro dances. I thought Luba did a great job in the 'Red Carpet' pro number as a Diva, and Amy was great as the harassed assistant. Luba used to tour with Gio so I might get some tickets for one of their shows next year.

My current favourite male dancers are Johannes. He's just outstanding and so tall you can't miss him. I've also thawed out to Gio and enjoy his choreography. I actually missed Graziano more than I thought I would and enjoyed watching him in the pro dances. Alijaz is a fantastic all rounder who always manages to bring the best out of his celeb.

I love
Giovanni and Alijaz - but Johannes has been a really welcome addition and I'm looking forward to what he can do in the future. Such a shame he and Catherine didn't progress further. I've also warmed to Graziano this year and would like to see him given another chance with a partner as he didn't really register on my radar previously.

Gorka has never really been a favourite of mine but it was shame he was benched - however, I think it might have suited him this year with Gemma and the new baby - wonder if he'll stay long term?

I did think that Nancy has been rather insignificant? She's no doubt a brilliant dancer but doesn't seem to have featured much on ITT which they usually do with the 'Sunday nighters'?