Meet the five new Strictly Come Dancing professionals ahead of 2026 series
'They are all outstanding world-class dancers'Strictly Come Dancing has unveiled five brand-new professional dancers ahead of its return to BBC One this September.
Representing the UK, Canada, Italy, South Africa and Ukraine, the new additions arrive with impressive international credentials.
Having built successful careers on dance floors across the world, the quintet are regarded as some of the industry’s most exciting rising stars. And now, they will join the Strictly professional line-up for the forthcoming season.
The new pros are as follows…
Aleksandra Isaeva
Among the new professionals joining Strictly Come Dancing is Ukrainian-born Aleksandra Isaeva, who is now based in Italy. A decorated Latin dancer, she is a multiple-time Ukrainian National Latin Champion and has established herself among the world’s elite, reaching as high as 21st in the global rankings.
Her career highlights also include top-10 finishes at the European Latin Championships in Blackpool and the Dutch Open World Latin Dance Competition, along with a place in the final of the UK Dance Festival’s Latin Rising Star event.
Reflecting on the opportunity, 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!”
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Cristian Priori
She will be joined on the Strictly professional line-up by her long-time dance partner, Cristian Priori. Originally from Rome, Cristian is a four-time Italian Latin Champion whose achievements include spending eight consecutive years ranked among the world’s top 24 Latin dancers.
Throughout his career, he has enjoyed success on the international circuit, reaching the Rising Star Latin final at the prestigious Blackpool Dance Festival and progressing to the Open World Latin semi-finals. He also claimed the Junior Italian 10-Dance title before earning Rising Star finalist spots at both the UK Open and Dutch Open.
Speaking about signing up for the BBC favourite, 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.”
Strictly Come Dancing professionals: Lethabo Monametsi
Also joining the ballroom is South African dancer Lethabo Monametsi, whose passion for dance began after watching her country’s version of Strictly Come Dancing.
An undefeated South African Latin Champion, she first gained television experience by winning the dance competition Dance Yo Dumo as part of Urban Wave before later appearing as a performer on The Masked Singer SA.
Away from the competition circuit, Lethabo has shared the stage with internationally renowned performers including Diana Ross and Hans Zimmer. She has also represented South Africa at the WDC Amateur Open World Championships in Ireland. Alongside her dance achievements, she also holds a Bachelor of Arts degree with a Law major from the University of the Witwatersrand.
Lethabo says: “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
Bournemouth-born Maddie Ingoldsby will also be stepping onto the Strictly ballroom as one of the show’s newest professionals. A highly decorated competitor, she is a UK National Ballroom Champion and an eight-time Amateur 10-Dance World Champion. Her impressive list of achievements also includes World Rising Star and Under 21 World Ballroom Championship titles.
Maddie’s connection to the entertainment world began long before joining Strictly. As a child, she starred as Annie in the West End and even made an early television appearance on Strictly: It Takes Two. She later returned to the franchise to perform in one of the professionals’ group routines during the show’s Christmas special.
Her screen credits also include a role in the festive film Last Christmas, alongside Emma Thompson and Emilia Clarke.
Speaking about joining the BBC series, Maddie 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.”
Strictly Come Dancing professionals: Mark Karmalita
Completing this year’s intake of new professionals is Canadian dancer Mark Karmalita. A two-time National Latin Champion, Mark has enjoyed success throughout his competitive career, winning and reaching the final of Canadian Championship events across several age categories.
His international accolades also include the Empire Dance US Latin Rising Star title. He was also previously ranked 10th in the world at the Under 21 Latin Dance Festival in Blackpool.
Looking ahead to his Strictly debut, 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.”
The five newcomers will join a familiar line-up of returning professionals for the forthcoming series. This includes 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.
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‘They are all outstanding world-class dancers’
Welcoming the recruits to the Strictly family, Executive Producer Sarah James praised the latest additions to the professional line-up.
“Aleksandra, Cristian, Lethabo, Maddie and Mark are all outstanding world-class dancers. We can’t wait to see them shine under the Strictly glitterball this September.”
BBC Entertainment’s Senior Commissioning Editor, Jo Wallace, also shared her excitement ahead of the new series.
“It’s so exciting to welcome the brilliantly talented Aleksandra, Cristian, Lethabo, Maddie and Mark,” she said. “As if the return of Strictly wasn’t shaping up to be fab-u-lous enough already, they’re five more reasons why the new series is not to be missed.”
Elsewhere, the 2026 series will mark the first without Tess Daly or Claudia Winkleman as hosts. Earlier this year, it was announced that Emma Willis, Johannes Radebe and Josh Widdicombe will be the new presenters.
Read more: Jaime Winstone reveals she’s the latest celebrity confirmed for this year’s line-up
