Strictly Come Dancing has announced the addition of three outstanding – and very attractive – new dancers following the dismissal of Brendan Cole.
The next series of the celebrity dance competition is set to be the biggest yet as bosses have recruited a trio of new professionals, bringing the total number of show choreographers up to 18, instead of the usual 17.
Graziano Di Prima, 24, Johannes Radebe, 31, and Luba Mushtuk, 28, will take to the coveted Strictly dance floor for the first time, with each of them more than qualified for the job.
![Meet the new pros: Strictly Come Dancing bosses have announced three new dancers will be added to this year's line-up: [from left] Johannes Radebe, 31, Luba Mushtuk, 28, and Graziano Di Prima, 24](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/newpix/2018/05/30/11/4CC0D8C600000578-0-image-a-117_1527676103395.jpg)
Meet the new pros: Strictly Come Dancing bosses have announced three new dancers will be added to this year’s line-up: [from left] Johannes Radebe, 31, Luba Mushtuk, 28, and Graziano Di Prima, 24
Sicilian-born Graziano is an Italian Latin Champion who has represented Belgium at the World Championships.
He has also placed in the top 24 at the Latin World Championships in the under 21 category and has spent the past three years hotfooting across the globe with dance troupe Burn the Floor.
Speaking about his new Strictly stint, the handsome choreographer enthused: ‘This is my dream come true! I still can’t believe I will be one of the professional dancers on Strictly Come Dancing. I can’t wait to give all of myself on the dance floor!
Changing it up: The new additions come after the show confirmed Brendan Cole had been dismissed
South African Johannes is the two-time Professional South African Latin Champion and three-time South African Latin Champion.
He will also have the competitive edge on his fellow newcomers as he has been a professional dancer on the South African edition of Strictly Come Dancing for two series – reaching the final both times.
Johannes said of his new role: ‘Joining Strictly Come Dancing is one of the greatest achievements of my dancing career.
Man for the job: Sicilian-born Graziano is an Italian Latin Champion who has represented Belgium at the World Championships
‘It is such an honour to be chosen to be a part of an incredible cast and be part of one of the biggest shows that is celebrated worldwide. I cannot wait to get started and experience the magic with the UK.’
Russian-born Luba was a Strictly professional waiting to happen, having joined the show as an assistant choreographer in 2016.
She has also danced in the Strictly Come Dancing Live tour, as well as in Giovanni Pernice’s and Kevin and Karen Clifton’s shows.
Russian-born Luba was a Strictly professional waiting to happen, having joined the show as an assistant choreographer in 2016
Graziano Di Prima
Age: 24
Nationality: Sicilian
Accolades: Italian Latin Champion who has represented Belgium at the World Championships. He has also placed in the top 24 at the Latin World Championships in the under 21 category
Experience: Has spent the past three years hotfooting across the globe with dance troupe Burn the Floor
Luba Mushtuk
Age: 28
Nationality: Russian
Accolades: Four-time winner of the Italian Dance Championship and was ranked second in the European 10 Dance Championships and was a finalist in the Latin European Championship
Experience: Assistant choreographer on Strictly Come Dancing since 2016. Has performed in Giovanni Pernice’s and Kevin and Karen Clifton’s shows
Johannes Radebe
Age: 31
Nationality: South African
Accolades: Two-time Professional South African Latin Champion and three-time South African Latin Champion
Experience: Professional dancer in the South African edition of Strictly Come Dancing for the past two seasons
She is a four-time winner of the Italian Dance Championship and was ranked second in the European 10 Dance Championships and was a finalist in the Latin European Championship.
‘Words cannot express how thrilled I am to do what I love most on the greatest show on earth!’ she enthused.
‘I am super excited and so thankful for this priceless opportunity. I can’t wait to get started as a professional dancer on Strictly… bring on the sparkle!’
The show will also see the return of existing professionals AJ Pritchard, Aljaž Škorjanec, Amy Dowden, Anton Du Beke, Dianne Buswell and Giovanni Pernice.
Gorka Marquez, Janette Manrara, Karen Clifton, Katya Jones, Kevin Clifton, Nadiya Bychkova, Neil Jones, Oti Mabuse and Pasha Kovalev will also make a comeback.
Sacked Brendan revealed he had been dropped for the show earlier this year, and admitted it came as a complete shock.
When asked about being let go on ITV’s Lorraine, Brendan said of the decision: ‘It’s hard to talk about. The BBC haven’t renewed my contract.’
He continued: ‘They made an editorial decision to not have me back on the show. I’m in shock. I’m quite emotional.’
Along with Brendan, Chloe Hewitt, 22, is the only other dancer from last year’s series who will not be back to compete for the Strictly Glitter Ball Trophy.