As Strictly Come Dancing gets set for its return in Autumn 2023 the BBC has this morning confirmed the presenters, judges and Professional Dancers for the 21st series of the show.

Presenters Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman will be back in the ballroom overseeing proceedings each weekend as a host of brand-new celebrity contestants take to the floor in a bid to lift the coveted Glitterball Trophy.

Behind the judges' desk once again will be Craig Revel Horwood, Let’s Dance Germany judge Motsi Mabuse, NTA Award-winning judge Anton Du Beke and The Queen of Latin Shirley Ballas who will return as head judge.

Dave Arch and his band will once again provide the soundtracks to the UK's most popular dancing show and the unforgettable routines.

Also confirmed, a return to the iconic Tower Ballroom in Blackpool.

BBC studios executive producer, Sarah James, said: “Excitement is already building for the 21st series of Strictly and we are so lucky to have the best team in the business both on and off camera.

"Our amazing presenters, incredible panel of judges and world class professional dancers are ready to bring the sparkle back to your screens this Autumn. We can’t wait!”

While the 2023 dancers won’t be revealed until later this year, the BBC did confirm this morning some of the most talented Latin and Ballroom professional dancers from all across the globe would be once again taking part in Strictly.

Strictly Come Dancing 2023 professional dancers

Amy Dowden

From Caerphilly, South Wales, Amy joined the show in 2017 joined the series as a professional dancer. In 2019 she danced all the way to the final with CBBC’s Karim Zeroual and most recently she partnered EastEnders star James Bye.

Carlos Gu

Carols joined the Strictly Come Dancing pro lineup in 2022 and was partnered with CBBC star Molly Rainford. Together they reached the final and were runners-up alongside Fleur East and Helen Skelton.

Dianne Buswell

Australian dancer Dianne was a professional dancer on the Australian version of Strictly Come Dancing before joining the UK series in 2017.

Dianne reached the Strictly final with her dance partner Joe Sugg in 2018.

Since then, she has danced with Radio DJ Dev Griffin, Max George from the Wanted and last series made it all the way to Blackpool with DJ Tyler West.

Giovanni Pernice

Giovanni is the longest-serving male professional amongst the current line-up of Strictly dancers, having joined the show in 2015. His celebrity partners have included Georgia May Foote, Debbie McGee, Faye Tozer and Michelle Visage.

In 2021, he was partnered with actress Rose Ayling-Ellis and together they lifted the Strictly Glitterball trophy. His most recent partner was Radio 2’s Richie Anderson.

Gorka Marquez

Gorka joined Strictly in 2016 and has danced in three finals, with Alexandra Burke in 2017, Maisie Smith in 2020 and most recently with Helen Skelton in 2022.

Graziano Di Prima

Graziano joined Strictly Come Dancing in 2018. His celebrity partners have included Vick Hope and Judi Love and in 2021, Graziano was crowned Strictly Christmas Champion with celebrity partner Anne-Marie.

Most recently, Graziano made it all to way to the Quarter Finals with his partner Kym Marsh.

Johannes Radebe

Johannes competed on Strictly Come Dancing South Africa twice, reaching the final both times. He joined the UK show in 2018 and in 2021 was partnered with celebrity baker John Whaite in the show’s first all-male partnership.

Together they reached the final and became the series’ runners-up. His most recent partner was actress and comedian Ellie Taylor.

Jowita Przystal

Jowita won the BBC’s ‘The Greatest Dancer’ in 2020, which gave her the prize of performing in the Strictly ballroom, and in 2021 she officially joined the Strictly professional line-up.

Last series, she was given her first celebrity partner Hamza Yassin and they both went on to lift the trophy, making Jowita the current reigning Strictly champion.

Kai Widdrington

Southampton-born Kai joined the professional dancer line-up of Strictly in 2021 and his first celebrity partner was TV presenter AJ Odudu. The pair danced all the way to the Strictly final, but sadly had to pull out due to an injury.

Last series, Kai was partnered with Kaye Adams and also went on to be crowned Strictly Christmas champion alongside his Christmas partner actress Alexandra Mardell.

Karen Hauer

Karen is the longest-serving Strictly dancer of the current pro line up, returning for her twelfth series.

Over the years she has enjoyed many memorable partnerships including with Jeremy Vine, Mark Wright, Chris Ramsey, Jamie Laing, Greg Wise and most recently comedian Jayde Adams.

Katya Jones

Katya is also a Strictly Come Dancing champion, having won the series with Joe McFadden in her second year on the show. Some of her other Strictly students include Ed Balls, Nicola Adams, Adam Peaty and most recently footballing legend Tony Adams.

Lauren Oakley

Birmingham-born Lauren joined the Strictly Come Dancing family in 2022.

Luba Mushtuk

Luba was part of the Strictly Come Dancing family for several years as an assistant choreographer, before becoming a professional dancer on the programme in 2018.

She has danced with two celebrity partners in the main series - James Cracknell in 2019 and Jason Bell in 2020.

Michelle Tsiakkas

Michelle joined the pro lineup of Strictly Come Dancing in 2022 dancing in the show’s group numbers and music acts.

Nadiya Bychkova

Nadiya, originally from Ukraine, joined Strictly Come Dancing in 2017 and has danced with celebrity partners including Davood Ghadami, Lee Ryan, David James and Dan Walker.

Last series, she danced with Matt Goss.

Nancy Xu

Nancy joined Strictly in 2019, performing in the show’s group routines and music acts.

Nancy has reached the semi-final of the competition with both of her celebrity partners, CBBC presenter Rhys Stephenson in 2021 and actor Will Mellor in 2022.

Neil Jones

Neil has been a Strictly professional since 2016 and his celebrity partners include professional footballer Alex Scott and actress and comedian Nina Wadia.

Nikita Kuzmin

In 2020 Nikita competed on Let’s Dance, Germany’s version of Strictly Come Dancing before joining the UK series in 2021.

His first celebrity partner in the UK was Tilly Ramsay, while his most recent partner was Paralympian swimmer Ellie Simmonds.

Vito Coppola

Vito, in 2021, left the competition world and joined the Italian version of Strictly Come Dancing, where he won in his very first year.

He came to Strictly Come Dancing (UK version) in 2022 and was partnered with Fleur East making it all the way to the Strictly final. Vito and Fleur were runners-up.