Strictly pro says it's 'one happy family' amid backstage bust-up over partners

15 September 2023 , 08:00

846     0

Strictly pro says it's 'one happy family' amid backstage bust-up over partners

Strictly Come Dancing star Graziano Di Prima has shared the sweet reason for the BBC show's success ahead of this year's celebrities taking to the stage for the first time.

The BBC series has become one of the biggest shows on television and recently picked up the National Television Award for Best Talent Show. After picking up the coveted gong, the professional dancers shared the heartwarming reason behind the show's success.

Graziano said: "We love our job, we are a big family, we do it for the love of dancing. It’s real, that’s why families love Strictly because we love our job and we do it with our heart."

The Italian Ballroom and Latin dancer will be returning to Strictly this year alongside Kai Widdrington, Nikita Kuzmin, Jowita Przystał, Dianne Buswell, Giovanni Pernice, Gorka Márquez, Johannes Radebe, Karen Hauer, Katya Jones, Luba Mushtuk, Nadiya Bychkova, Nancy Xu, Neil Jones, Carlos Gu, Lauren Oakley, Michelle Tsiakkas and Vita Coppola.

Strictly picked up a National Television Award (ITV)

Amy Dowden won't be part of the main line-up this year after her breast cancer diagnosis but has revealed she hopes to make an appearance at some point during the series - whether it be on the main show or on spin-off It Takes Two.

Strictly's Molly Rainford and Tyler West fuel romance rumours while on tour

Meanwhile, contestant Les Dennis has opened up on showing off his moves on the dance floor for the first time on Saturday. Explaining why he wanted to take part, the actor and broadcaster said: "I'm coming up to 70 this year and If I'm still in, I'll have my 70th birthday on the show and I just thought, you know what, why not? I'm up for a challenge. I always do things that are outside my comfort zone.

"I did my first opera two years ago, I worked at the Royal Shakespeare Company without any training three years ago, so, if there's anything that goes outside of my comfort zone, I go ‘I'm scared so let's do it’. I had a knee replacement two years ago and thought you're not too old, go for it. It's so exciting and it's an iconic wonderful show, I love to watch it as a viewer, so, when I got the offer to do it, I was like, ‘Yeah, no brainer!’"

On whether he has his sights set on the Glitterball Trophy, Les added: "I have my eye on holding it and seeing what it feels like but I might not be here that long. No, I don't have my eye on the glitterball. Like I say, I'm here to have a life experience and to have fun and not let my nerves get the best of me. I want to enjoy and savor every moment I'm here, however far I get."

Susan Knox