The wheels are in motion for the next series of Strictly Come Dancing after a bumpy ride over recent months amid bullying allegations as a glitzy first look at this year’s professionals has been revealed.

Clad in feather bowers, pastel-coloured outfits and sequinned gowns, the professionals were all smiles as they danced in a pink bus for the launch trailer of the upcoming series.

It also marks pro Amy Dowden’s triumphant return to the show after missing last year’s series due to battling breast cancer. 

It comes after the BBC flagship show has been plagued for months by allegations of ‘bullying’ and abuse by former professionals Giovanni Pernice and Graziano Di Prima to their celebrity partners Amanda Abbington and Zara McDermott.

As a result, professionals paired with dancers this year include the likes of last year’s winner, Vito Coppola, Dianne Buswell, Nadiya Bychkova, Karen Hauer, Neil Jones, Katya Jones and Nikita Kuzmin. 

The wheels are in motion for the next series of Strictly Come Dancing after a bumpy ride over recent months amid bullying allegations as a glitzy first look at this year’s professionals has been revealed

Clad in feather bowers, pastel-coloured outfits and sequined gowns, the professionals were all smiles as they danced in a pink bus for the launch trailer of the upcoming series

It also marks pro Amy Dowden’s (right) triumphant return to the show after missing last year’s series due to battling breast cancer

Gorka Marquez, Luba Mushtuk, Jowita Przystal, Johannes Radebe, Nancy Xu, Carlos Gu, Lauren Oakley and Michelle Tsiakkas complete the line up.

Meanwhile, despite playing a prominent role in the trailer, supposed fan favourite, Kai Widdrington, has not been paired with a celebrity this year due to a lack of women signing up this year.

The trailer for the 22nd series of the BBC show features its professional dancers, including Dowden, performing a routine to a medley including tracks such as We Like To Party! (The Vengabus) by Vengaboys, Baby Baby by Corona, and Get Ready For This by 2 Unlimited.

Dowden will return to the show after being diagnosed with breast cancer in May 2023, when she found a lump the day before her honeymoon, and missed out on having a celebrity partner in that year’s series of Strictly.

The 34-year-old announced in February that she would return to the show this year, after a mastectomy and chemotherapy left her with ‘no evidence of disease’ following tests.

The launch show of Strictly’s 20th anniversary series will see the dancers perform an ’empowering’ routine to celebrate Dowden’s return, and will also see its celebrity contestants paired with their dancing partners.

Speaking about her Strictly return, Dowden said: ‘I am so excited for every element of being back with my Strictly family.

‘I am so grateful to get this opportunity, especially as it’s such a special year for this legendary show. It feels like it’s my first year again.

The trailer for the 22nd series of the BBC show features its professional dancers, including Dowden, performing a routine to a medley

It includes tracks such as We Like To Party! (The Vengabus) by Vengaboys, Baby Baby by Corona, and Get Ready For This by 2 Unlimited

Professionals paired with dancers this year include the likes of last year’s winner, Vito Coppola, Dianne Buswell, Nadiya Bychkova, Karen Hauer, Neil Jones, Katya Jones and Nikita Kuzmin

Gorka Marquez, Luba Mushtuk, Jowita Przystal, Johannes Radebe, Nancy Xu, Carlos Gu, Lauren Oakley and Michelle Tsiakkas complete the line up (Carlos and Johannes seen)

Dowden will return to the show after being diagnosed with breast cancer in May 2023, when she found a lump the day before her honeymoon

‘I’m buzzing to see the whole team, for costumes, for dance routines, to meet the celebrities, the judges. Everyone’s laughing at me because I am just smiling constantly.

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‘I’d like to dedicate this dance to my pink sisters who have supported me through the past year and to all those currently facing cancer.’

Viewers will also get a glimpse of the Strictly class of 2024’s dancing skills as they perform a group routine on the show.

It comes after a storm of controversy around the BBC dancing show over the alleged treatment of contestants.

An investigation was launched by the BBC following allegations made about Giovanni by former participant Amanda, with the results yet to be made public. Pernice rejects the allegations.

Fellow dancer Graziano has also left the show.

The launch trailer aired on Wednesday September 4 at 7.29pm on BBC One.

A date for the series’ launch episode is to be announced by the BBC in due course.

STRICTLY LINE-UP 2024

Chris McCausland

Age: 46

Profession: Comedian

Chris says: ‘If anybody out there is thinking – How the hell is he going to do that? – then rest assured that I am thinking exactly the same thing.’

Dr. Punam Krishan 

 Age: Unknown

Profession: GP and broadcaster

Punam says: ‘I have watched Strictly every year and it feels extra special that it’s the 20th year, I can’t believe I will be the one getting Strictly-fied.’

Toyah Willcox  

Age: 66

Profession: Singer, actor, presenter

Toyah says: ‘I’m super excited and love this show. To be a part of it, the spray tan the glitter. Its a landmark year for me I came a pensioner, Glasto and now I get spray tans.’

 Pete Wicks

Age: 36

Profession: Reality star 

Pete says: ‘Dancing live in front of the nation every Saturday? Absolutely terrifying.’

 Shayne Ward

Age: 39

Profession: Actor and singer 

Shayne says: ‘I’m no stranger to live TV, but dancing Latin and Ballroom in front of millions is a whole new level.’

Tom Dean 

Age: 24

Profession: Olympic medal winning swimmer 

Tom says: ‘Now I can officially talk about how excited I am to get stuck into something new, meet some brilliant people and get dancing’

Nick Knowles

Age: 61

Profession: TV presenter 

Nick says: ‘I am going to really go for it I will throw myself at it 100 per cent!’

 JB Gill

 Age: 37

Profession: Singer

JB says: ‘A lot of the ballroom styles are very alien to me – I didn’t do those dances growing up. I am not a trained dancer.’

 Wynne Evans

Age: 52

Profession: Opera singer, presenter

 Wynne says: ‘The stuff I’m nervous about is the ones that involve jumping, I don’t really want to do the jive, I’m nervous about that.

 Tasha Ghouri

Age: 25

Profession: Model and reality star

Tasha says: ‘I’ve been watching the show since I was little – it’s a firm Ghouri family favourite – so this is a total dream come true.’ 

 Sarah Hadland

Age: 53

Profession: Actress

Sarah says: ‘I feel particularly excited to be part of such an iconic show in its 20th year.’  

Jamie Borthwick

Age: 30

Profession: EastEnders star  

Jamie says: ‘I had a ball doing the Christmas special, so when I was asked to join it was the easiest yes!’

Sam Quek

Age: 35 

Profession: Former GB hockey player and presenter

Sam says: ‘I am so relieved it is out there now it has been hard to keep a secret! The rumours were spreading and I had to lie! I am used to dancing on a girls night out but I will give it my all’

Paul Merson

Age: 56

Profession: Former footballer

Paul says: ‘I won’t worry about it until it starts but when it does I will be nervous – I have only danced three times in my life!’