The Strictly Come Dancing professionals have celebrated being back together for rehearsals as the show continues to reel from one controversy to another.
Katya Jones appeared unfazed by the ongoing drama as she arrived at a London rehearsal room with co-stars including Johannes Radebe and Dianne Buswell.
The assembled dancers later posed for a united group shot as the show that helped turn them into household names attempts to prepare for a new series.
The BBC Latin and ballroom show is currently under fire amid the misconduct scandal that has seen regulars Graziano Di Prima and Giovanni Pernice axed from the series amid bullying allegations from former celebrity partners.
But as the Saturday night favourite gears up to offer a whole new batch of famous faces putting their dance skills to the test, the professionals have soldiered on back into practice.
The Strictly Come Dancing professionals have celebrated being back together for rehearsals (pictured: Katya Jones, who has been on the show since 2016)
Neil Jones shared a group photo from the rehearsal space and captioned it: ‘Back with the gang. First day vibes’
Neil Jones shared a group photo from the rehearsal space and captioned it: ‘Back with the gang. First day vibes’
Karen Hauer – who has served as a professional dancer on the show since 2012 – also shared the snap and captioned it with a similar sentiment.
Nadiya Bychkova, who joined the show in 2017, shared the same picture to her own profile as well but she opted for a more poignant caption.
She wrote: ‘The best things in life are about family and it’s great to be back with the team.’
Teasing viewers about what is to come, she added: ‘The new series is going to be amazing. I can’t wait for you to see it.’
Fan favourite Gorka Marquez simply said: ‘Day One was fun’.
Amy Dowden is making her long-awaited return to the show following a battle with breast cancer and reflected on how grateful she was to be back at work with an emotional post.
She wrote: ‘I didn’t sleep last night with nerves and excitement. I had a good cry this morning and going to soak up every moment of this series which I’m forever grateful for.
‘The strictly family couldn’t have been more supportive and loving this past year and I truly hope to make you proud this year, right reply to amy_dowden…. Year & let’s do this.’
Amy Dowden is making her long-awaited return to the show following a battle with breast cancer
The Lorraine star then shared a selfie with fellow dancer Dianne Buswell and looked on top form upon her return.
The Lorraine star then shared a selfie with fellow dancer Dianne Buswell and looked on top form upon her return.
The show rill return amid what is being called its biggest scandal ever but according to The Sun, Giovanni and some of his co-stars, are booked to perform at the Dancing With The Stars showcases in Windsor and Newport next year.
However, this could come as a rule-break as the broadcaster forbids its stars from taking on work that could be deemed to similar to the show that made them famous.
The policy states: ‘Actors and artists in BBC output should not appear in promotional work which mimics on-air roles.’
