Strictly fans convinced they have worked out identity of stunning new pro after it’s revealed dancers will be axed
STRICTLY Come Dancing fans think they’ve uncovered one of the new professionals for next year’s series – and she already has a connection to the show.
We revealed last night that bosses want to bring in a new wave of stars to make a fresh start after a scandal hit 2024.
One tipped to take to the ballroom is Argentine Tango specialist Maria Tsiatsiani.
The brunette dancer already helps to choreograph steamy South American numbers on the show and leads fitness routines on BBC‘s Morning Live.
Maria has a background in ballet and ballroom and is the director at London Tango Academy.
She certainly has the skillset, stamina and personality to make the transition to fully-fledged cast member.
One fan wrote in a forum: “I assume we’ll get a newbie next year too – the woman off Morning Live who isn’t Michelle but looks a little bit like her.”
Another said: “You’re Simply the best Maria!! “
Johannes Radebe’s future on the show looks to be numbered after he landed a role in Kinky Boots‘ 2025 theatre tour, while his life story is due to be turned into a film and will likely require heavy input from the man himself.
Other big names lined up to leave include Nadiya Bychkova, Neil Jones, Karen Hauer, Gorka Marquez and Katya Jones.
Most of them were quickly voted off this series along with their celeb partners.
Only Katya survived, but she angered bosses by being at the centre of the “gropegate” backfiring gag with singer Wynne Jones.
Meanwhile, Jowita Przystal has dazzled with her partner Pete Wicks, and Vito Coppola has been wowing audiences with actress Sarah Hadland.
A TV insider said: “The review of the line-up has always been about making a fresh start, and that was always going to be affected by which dancers performed well this series.
“The feeling is that the Strictly troupe is made up of some fading stars, while others are rising stars.
“And in many cases there are certain characters whose shoes can easily be filled with younger, up-and-coming counterparts.
“It’s harsh but it’s just part of the traditional turnover of showbusiness.
“Of the five names in the mix almost all of them went out in the first half of the series, which is very much seen as a landmark point for Strictly.
“It couldn’t have come at a worse time for them, because Strictly bosses feel they need to make some major changes, even if that means big names leaving.”
Strictly's full scandal so far
Strictly Come Dancing's scandal engulfed the show over the past few months, with several major players speaking out about what went on before the BBC came back with their findings. Here are the key moments of what's happened so far
16th May: Giovanni Pernice sensationally quits Strictly Come Dancing after nine years on the show.
17th May: Giovanni becomes the centre of an official investigation after three former partners – believed to be Amanda Abbington, Laura Whitmore and Ranvir Singh – make complaints to the BBC.
16th June: Giovanni releases an official statement vowing to clear his name and denies any wrongdoing.
8th July: Strictly confirms Aljaz Skorjanec will return to the series, replacing Giovanni, after initially quitting the show two years ago.
10th July: Amanda Abbington launches fresh legal proceedings to get the rehearsal footage from her time with Giovanni, after allegedly he refused to release the videos.
13th July: Graziano Di Prima is axed from Strictly for “gross misconduct” after footage of his treatment of Zara McDermott is brought to the attention of the BBC.
Graziano quickly broke his silence, apologising for his behaviour in a statement and saying he “deeply regrets it”, adding his “intense passion and determination to win might have affected his training regime.”
15th July: Strictly bosses implement new duty of care protocols, including having a chaperone present throughout all rehearsals.
16th July: Zara McDermott speaks out publicly for first time. She states while the production team were “amazing to work with”, she found the rehearsal room “completely different”, confirming there’s footage of “certain situations”.
19th July: Anton Du Beke is put under the spotlight for his “1970s attitude” and treatment of female celeb stars, particularly after allegedly referring to 2009 partner Laila Rouass as a “p***” after getting a spray tan.
21st July: Paralympian Will Bayley, who has limb condition arthrogryposis, revealed he was encouraged to leap from a table during a dance routine, despite fears. The stunt caused an injury that forced him to withdraw from the show.
22nd July: MasterChef’s Gregg Wallace admits he broke down in tears and got a nasty stress rash on his face during his time on Strictly in 2014.
22nd July: Despite ongoing issues, the Strictly professional cast begin rehearsals for this year’s series.
23rd July: Celebrity agent Melanie Blake claims she was sexually assaulted by an unnamed pro dancer while backstage on the show, and claims she witnessed ageism, rudeness and a rough treatment to the point of injury.
23rd July: Strictly is forced to beef up security after ‘an intruder scales the wall of the rehearsal studio’.
23rd July: BBC boss Tim Davie breaks his silence on the ongoing allegations against Strictly, saying he is ‘deeply sorry’, adding: “Hundreds of people, be they pros, contestants or crew have been part of it and had a brilliant experience.
“At the same time if someone thinks there was something wrong or they want to talk about their experience then of course we want them to raise that with us. Be in no doubt we will take it seriously, listen and deal with it as appropriate.”
24th July: Strictly 2023 star Krishnan Guru-Murthy holds a bombshell interview with Amanda Abbington on Channel 4 news, where she claims she was bullied, with some of the ‘humilation being of a sexual nature’.
27th July: Laura Whitmore releases a statement regarding her Strictly experience, saying “I thought my experience was specific to me but I’ve since learned I was wrong”.
She adds she is not part of the official complaint, but has come forward to support Amanda with the BBC, alongside others.
28th July: Laila Rouass speaks out against the accusations regarding Anton Du Beke, saying she “never felt pressured” by him and “personally insisted on six to seven hours training a day”.
10th August: Graziano breaks his silence on his Strictly axe, saying “these vile, false allegations have ruined my life.”
He also told of the “shocking” end to his friendship with Zara McDermott.
We also revealed that Amanda Abbington was also quizzed for a second time as Strictly execs recruited 15 new staff to monitor rehearsals.
11th August: Just as the investigation was expected to conclude, Amanda made a dramatic intervention. Giovanni was on the brink of being cleared until Amanda handed in more text messages.
24th August: Graziano Di Prima called in top lawyers to sue the BBC and to try to clear his name. He recruited big hitters Whitestone Chambers to fight his corner.
A source said: “They’ve also looked at his BBC contract and believe there are grounds to sue.”
Meanwhile, the BBC also delayed releasing the findings of the probe into Giovanni Pernice. The Sun revealed that the results of the three-month investigation were unlikely to be announced in August.
13th September: Strictly wins best talent show at the National Television Awards
14th September: Strictly Come Dancing returned to TV – without Giovanni AND without the findings of the investigation revealed.
30th September: The BBC apologises to Amanda over the Strictly bullying scandal – but Giovanni is cleared of almost all abuse allegations.
Amanda released a statement saying she’s not happy with the outcome, while Gio shared his delight.
22nd October: Giovanni returns to TV in the UK for an interview on Lorraine and speaks about clearing his name.