Amy Dowden beams and Dianne Buswell in stitches… Strictly pros in high spirits as they arrive for 1st day of rehearsals

STRICTLY Come Dancing’s returning pro dancers have been spotted arriving for the first official day of show rehearsals, just days after the show’s new ballroom recruits were unveiled. Five new faces were announced as joining the show this weekend, months after the Strictly axe ‘bloodbath’ saw bosses ditch stars Michelle Tsiakkas, Karen Hauer, Nadiya Bychkova, Luba Mushtuk and Gorka Marquez. An ab-tastic Amy Dowden looked in high spirits as she returned in an all-black look for rehearsals Credit: James Curley While fellow fan-favourite pro Dianne Buswell was snapped having a laugh with crew members Credit: James Curley Ukrainian Aleksandra Isaeva, Italian hunk Cristian Priori and South African latin champion Lethabo Monametsi will be making their Strictly dancer debut in Autumn alongside Canadian dancer Mark Karmalita and UK National Ballroom Champion Maddie Ingoldsby. They’ll join returning stars Dianne Buswell, Amy Dowden, and last year’s winner Carlos Gu, 33, who scooped the coveted Gliterball Trophy with footballer Karen Carney. Sign up for the TV newsletter Thank you! In addition to Australian hunk Julian Caillon and Katya Jones, who are back alongside Jowita Przystal, Kai Widdrington, Aljaž Škorjanec, Lauren Oakley, Nancy Xu, Neil Jones, Nikita Kuzmin, Alexis Warr and Vito Coppola. A grinning Amy Dowden was one of the first 2026 professional dancers seen arriving for training, ready to dance in a black crop top and tracksuit bottoms, while clutching a coffee. Also baring her toned physique was Jovita Przystal who was seen clutching a coffee and yoghurt pot in a break, while Dianne nattered to fellow returning pro Nancy Xu Credit: James Curley Vito Coppola chowed down a snack while Jowita flashed a peace sign Credit: James Curley Alexis Warr was seen looking shocked at something on Aljaz Skorjanec’s phone as they rocked up alongside Neil Jones for their first day Credit: James Curley Neil was also captured walking and talking with new pro dancer Aleksandra Isaeva Credit: James Curley Dianne Buswell, who makes her Strictly return after recently welcoming her first child, was also snapped chatting and laughing with crew – clearly delighted to be back. While, Strictly stunner Jowita Przystal flashed her abs in a black crop top as she took a break from filming. She was pictured smiling and flashing the peace sign alongside Italian stallion Vito, who was seen chowing down on a sandwich as the group took time out from rehearsing. Viewer favourite Aljaz was also spied arriving for rehearsals alongside Neil Jones and Alexis Warr, with the latter engrossed on something Aljaz was showing her on his phone. Most read in TV Recently married Neil, who tied the knot last month to Love Island star Chyna Mills, was also seen chatting away to newcomer Aleksandra Isaeva in another snap. New joinier Aleksandra is ranked in the world’s top 21 Latin dancers and has reached top 10 positions at both the European Latin Championships in Blackpool and the Dutch Open’s World Latin Dance Competition, as well as becoming a finalist at the UK Dance Festival’s Latin Rising Star competition. She said of joining Strictly in the announcement: “I’ve been living and breathing dance for as long as I can remember, so joining the Strictly family is a true honour. “I can’t wait to pour my whole heart into every performance, inspire others and be inspired along the way!” Ukrainian Aleksandra Isaeva has reached top 10 positions at both the European Latin Championships in Blackpool and the Dutch Open’s World Latin Dance Competition The Sun exclusively revealed Maddie Ingoldsby’s signing ahead of the BBC announcement Credit: Instagram Strictly Come Dancing pro line-up 2026 The FULL list of professional dancers who will be back on Strictly this year: Katya Jones, 36 Jowita Przystal, 31 Kai Widdrington, 30 Aljaž Škorjanec, 36 Lauren Oakley, 35 Nancy Xu, 34 Neil Jones, 43 Nikita Kuzmin, 28 Alexis Warr, 25 Vito Coppola, 33 Julian Caillon, 30 Dianne Buswell, 36 Amy Dowden, 35 Johannes Radebe, 38 Carlos Gu, 33 Aleksandra Isaeva (new addition) Cristian Priori (new addition) Lethabo Monametsi (new addition) Mark Karmalita (new addition) Maddie Ingoldsby (new addition) The Sun exclusively revealed Brit Maddie Ingoldsby’s signing prior to the BBC announcement – who becomes the second youngest pro in the show’s history. She turned 21 in February, making her just a few months older than former Strictly professional dancer Chloe Hewitt — still the show’s youngest pro dancer — when she joined back in 2016. “Joining Strictly as a professional dancer is truly a dream come true,” she said of her new job. “My heart is so full of gratitude, excitement, and anticipation as I begin this incredible new chapter. Comment now