Strictly Come Dancing confirms two new professionals after show scandals

Strictly Come Dancing has announced that two new professionals have joined the BBC show following Giovanni Pernice and Graziano Di Prima’s exits.

Alexis Warr and Julian Caillon will waltz onto the Strictly dancefloor when the show returns this autumn.

Warr is best known for winning the US dance series So You Think You Can Dance in 2022 and became the first female ballroom and Latin dancer to be crowned America’s Favourite Dancer.

It isn’t her first shimmy with Strictly as the dancer appeared on the US version of the show as a guest professional dancer, and has also appeared on Dancing With The Stars, America’s Got Talent, and World of Dance.

Caillon appeared on three seasons of Australia’s Dancing With The Stars and also starred in So You Think You Can Dance Australia.

Alongside his dance career, he has also worked as a personal trainer and exercise physiologist.

Caillon and Warr have both previously danced at the Blackpool Tower Ballroom, where Strictly will return later this season for its much-anticipated Blackpool Special.

Speaking about joining the show, Warr said she has ‘admired Strictly for years.’

‘Joining this incredible family is such an honour,’ she continued. ‘I can’t wait to step into the ballroom, pour my heart into every moment, and share my love of dance with the UK.’

Caillon added that joining the case was ‘a dream come true.’

‘I’ve watched it for years, especially cheering on all the amazing dancers I know and work with who’ve been part of it,’ he said in a statement.

‘I can’t wait to get stuck in, have some fun, and be part of something special!’

Sarah James, executive producer at BBC Studios, says: ‘We’ve been big fans of Alexis and Julian for some time so it’s with great excitement that we now welcome them both to the Strictly family.

‘They’re two incredible dancers with bright futures ahead of them, and we know viewers are going to love getting to know them both.’

Additionally, Kalpna Patel-Knight, Head of Entertainment, said the duo were ‘perfect additions’ to the cast.

‘Alexis and Julian are the perfect additions to Strictly, and we can’t wait for you to see them light up the ballroom this autumn,’ she said.

‘With our fantastic professional dancers plus everything else we love about Strictly, the new series promises to be bigger, better and even more glitter-packed than ever before.’

The news comes after the popular BBC reality show was hit with scandal last year, with two professional dancers leaving its ranks.

Pernice, 34, found himself at the heart of a bullying scandal last year following a series of allegations made by former dance partner Amanda Abbington.

After a probe into the allegations, the BBC issued an apology to the Sherlock star – upholding a number of points, but clearing Pernice of the most serious claims.

There were no findings relating to physical aggression, but complaints of verbal bullying and harassment were upheld, reported the PA news agency last year.

Di Prima, 30, also left Strictly after allegations of ‘physical incidents’ during his training with Zara McDermott, 28.

His rep later admitted Di Prima had kicked former Love Island star McDermott and said in a statement that he ‘apologised at the time’ and knew he had ‘made a mistake’.

However, Di Prima later claimed his foot ‘brushed’ McDermott after he ‘kicked the floor in frustration’ due to the ‘pressure of the show.’

Got a story?

If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.