One of the new professionals joining Strictly Come Dancing may have to be wary of the show’s curse as he previously dated one of his dance partners.
Vito Coppola has been unveiled as one of four new dancers joining the BBC series later this year.
The performer, 29, won the Italian version of the show last year with pop star Arisa, 39, and the pair ended up dating, according to The Mirror.
Newcomer: Strictly Come Dancing professional Vito Cappola may have to be wary of the show’s curse as he previously dated one of his dance partners
The pair have reportedly since gone their separate ways, meaning Vito will be single again for the new series.
Following their fling, Vito told the publication Mio that the pair ‘remained on good terms’ and have a ‘friendly bond’.
The Strictly curse has become infamous over the years, with many celebrity contestants going on to have romantic flings with their dance partners.
Vito said of joining the show: ‘I am really excited to become part of this family. I cannot wait to start this new adventure and to challenge myself. Strictly sto arrivando! (or: Strictly I am coming!)’
Loved-up: Vito won the Italian version of the show last year with pop star Arisa, 39, and the pair ended up dating (pictured together in 2021)
The four new world class dancers completing this year’s professional troupe are European cup winner Vito, Chinese National Champion Carlos Gu, former Under 21 British National Champion Lauren Oakley and Latin dance champion Michelle Tsiakkas.
They join the professional dancers already revealed for the upcoming series: Dianne Buswell, Nadiya Bychkova, Graziano Di Prima, Amy Dowden, Karen Hauer, Katya Jones, Neil Jones, Nikita Kuzmin, Cameron Lombard, Gorka Marquez, Luba Mushtuk, Giovanni Pernice, Jowita Przystal, Johannes Radebe, Kai Widdrington and Nancy Xu.
Show favourites Alijaz Skorjanec and Oti Mabuse both quit Strictly Come Dancing earlier this year.
Not every pro dancer will be paired with a celebrity with four traditionally performing only in the pro routines.
In the past: Following their fling, Vito told the publication Mio that the pair ‘remained on good terms’ and have a ‘friendly bond’
Carlos Gu said of joining the show: ‘I’m thrilled to join Strictly and very excited to get started. It’s a new chapter of my life and a new challenge as well. I’m absolutely ready to take on this journey and to shine.’
Former Under 21 British National Champion Lauren Oakley gushed: ‘I’ve grown up watching Strictly, always hoping that one day I could be part of the best show on television, doing what I love the most.’
‘Now that it’s happening, it doesn’t quite seem real. I can’t wait to start this new sequined adventure and join this incredible family.’
Latin champ Michelle Tsiakkas said: ‘Being a professional dancer on Strictly Come Dancing has been my dream ever since I was a little girl.’
New faces: Strictly Come Dancing will have its biggest professional dancer line-up in history when it returns this autumn for its 20th series with four new pros joining the show
‘I cannot believe my dream has come true! I’m so grateful to be joining this incredible family and I can’t wait to step on that magical dance floor and give it my all!’
The upcoming series will be the first in three years to be broadcast without Covid measures, which forced bosses to introduce restrictions including ‘bubbles’ for training and limited audience numbers.
The celebrity competitors won’t be confirmed until later in the year with the latest rumours including Channel 4 presenter Steph McGovern, Coronation Street star Kym Marsh and former footballerv Tony ‘Donkey’ Adams.
Meanwhile the show’s head judge Shirley Ballas has hinted that in a modern twist, the new series could feature the show’s first gender-fluid pairing.
Super fan: Former Under 21 British National Champion Lauren Oakley can’t wait to get started after gushing: ‘I’ve grown up watching Strictly’
Dream come true: Latin dance champion Michelle Tsiakkas said: ‘Being a professional dancer on Strictly Come Dancing has been my dream ever since I was a little girl’
The 61-year-old explained that ‘everything is possible’, and noted that the show’s executive producer, Sarah James, is always ‘looking outside of the box’.
Chatting to The Mirror during London’s TRIC Awards last week, the judge shared: ‘Everything is possible. [Executive producer] Sarah James is always looking outside the box, and if it fits… I’m sure we’ll be seeing a lot of things you won’t be expecting.’
If it was to be the case, the move would follow on from last year’s same-sex finalists John Whaite, 33, and dance partner Johannes Radebe, 35.
The popular duo was prefaced by boxer Nicola Adams and Katya Jones’ pairing in 2020 during the series.
Strictly Come Dancing returns for its 20th series this autumn on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
Pro: Chinese National Champion Carlos Gu added: I’m absolutely ready to take on this journey and to shine’
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