Strictly Come Dancing pros start training as fans think the series is just WEEKS away
STRICTLY Come Dancing’s professionals have begun training today to get the show’s epic 20th series underway.
With rehearsals beginning earlier than ever before, fans think the kick-off could mean the return of the dance contest is just weeks away.
New professional Michelle Tsiakkas shared an excited note to her Instagram story confirming the news.
The note, which had been written by a fan page for fellow pro Dianne Buswell, read: “Strictly pro rehearsals start tomorrow!”
Michelle, who is a Latin dance champion and one of the four exciting new pros to join the squad this year, added a string of heart emojis to the page.
The Cypriot dancer is one of the twenty-strong squad brought together for this landmark twentieth series.
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A source said: “It had already been rumoured that the BBC would bring Strictly forward in the schedule to avoid a clash with the World Cup on Saturday nights.
“This July start to rehearsals suggests that could be the case, as usually the squad don’t start work until August.
“Of course with twenty dancers to train, taking a little more time also makes sense. Plus the BBC knows the twentieth series requires even more pizzazz than usual!”
Michelle is already known to the Strictly family after dancing alongside pros including Diane Buswell and Graziano di Prima in touring stage show Burn the Floor.
She first started dancing at the age of six in her home country of Cyprus where she became an undefeated champion, winning national titles consecutively from 2001-2011 before moving to London to study.
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The dancer is joined on Strictly’s largest line-up ever by fellow newcomers European cup winner Vito Coppola, Chinese National Champion Carlos Gu and former Under 21 British National Champion Lauren Oakley.
Not every pro is partnered with a celebrity, with a third of the cast part of the sensational group routines that make Strictly one of Britain’s most-watched TV shows.