We have a new judge, Motsi Mabusi, sister to Oti one of the professional dancers returning again this year in the line up. However, some new faces incuding Chinese latin dancer Nancy Xu. Nancy doesn’t have a celeb partner in this year’s series but will be making her mark in the professional line up for group and support dancers. When she knew she had been chosen to be a part of the Strictly team she announced on her Instagram feed:

“I’m thrilled and excited! I cannot wait to start this new journey with all these amazing people and share the magic together.”

https://www.thesun.co.uk/tvandshowbiz/9619144/nancy-xu-strictly-come-dancing-pasha-kovalev/ #

Nancy replaces Pasha Kovalev’s who quit the show earlier this year, saying: "I've had 8 fantastic years, full of wonderful memories, thanks to the incredible partners, professionals and myriad of behind the scenes teams who all work to make Strictly the amazing production that it is.” No doubt Nancy will bring a new cha cha energy to the show so we thought we’d share a bit about her background.

She is certainly is no stranger to talent contests, having been a finalist on’ So You Think You Can Dance’ in China, and appeared onstage in the hit West End and Broadway show ‘Burn The Floor’. Burn the Floor is also touring the UK at the moment, if you get a chance to see it do go, it’s amazing and seeing these great dancers up close just reminds you how talented they are.

Nancy also have a long list of titles to her name, including finalist in the U21 World Championships in 2010, third place in the 2010-2012 CBDF National Amateur Latin Championships and runner-up at the 2013 International Singapore Championships.

As a world class professional latin dance, exciting times are ahead for Nancy as she joins the Strictly family for the first round of rehearsals ahead of the upcoming series which starts later in September.

Fellow female professional dancers include Amy Dowden, Dianne Buswell, Nadiya Bychkova, Karen Clifton, Katya Jones, Janette Manrara, Luba Mushtuk, and Oti Mabuse. And Oti’s sister Motsi will be on the show too, but as a judge replacing Darcey Bussell. Motsi is a former German Latin Champion and South African Champion. She took part in the red carpet launch show in August treating us to a glimpse of her Latin style; a well qualified judge joining the esteemed panel for 2019.

If you want to dust off the dancing shoes and get into the Strictly mood, there are beginner classes starting this September, but claim your place soon as places are limited.