Giovanni Pernice’s Strictly Come Dancing replacement revealed

Strictly Come Dancing has reportedly unveiled the identity of one of the two new dancers joining the 2025 professional line-up.

The BBC’s hit Latin and ballroom competition will return later this year with a host of famous faces hoping to waltz their way to the Glitterball Trophy, with the celebrities set to be confirmed nearer the time.

Earlier this month, Strictly revealed the majority of the pros who will battle it out on the ballroom floor, including Johannes Radebe’s surprise return and Amy Dowden, who was forced to pull out last year due to a foot injury.

Also on the line-up are Gorka Marquez, Nadiya Bychkova, Karen Hauer, Katya Jones, Vito Coppola and reigning champion Dianne Buswell, who won the 2024 show with Chris McCausland.

However, Strictly executive producer Sarah James also revealed there would be ‘two new pros’ who will ‘help bring another unforgettable series of dazzling dance.’

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While they have not been officially confirmed, it has been claimed that Simone Arena, 33, is one of the new dancers and is set to replace Giovanni Pernice, who left the show last year after being accused of ‘bullying’.