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'Strictly Come Dancing': Joanne Clifton And Oksana Platero Quit Show

And there are three new additions to the line-up.
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Reigning ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ champion Joanne Clifton has stepped down from the show, ahead of this year’s series.

Joanne triumphed in last year’s live final, alongside celebrity partner Ore Oduba, but has decided not to return when ‘Strictly’ kicks off its 15th series later this year.

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Joanne Clifton
Mike Marsland via Getty Images

She said: “Being part of the Strictly experience has been one of the best things that has ever happened to me and I will miss the show so much.

“It’s been a tough decision but I am looking forward to facing new challenges and focusing on my musical theatre career.”

Joanne has been with ‘Strictly’ since 2014, but only competed in two series, remaining a member of the professional team in 2015 but not actually taking part in the contest.

She’ll perform one last time at the beginning of this year’s series, when she and Ore do the annual winner’s dance.

Oksana Platero has also revealed that she has left the show after just one series, during which she was partnered with Judge Rinder.

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Oksana Platero
Karwai Tang via Getty Images

Thanking the show for the great “memories”, Oksana said: “I just want to say thank you to everyone involved with Strictly. Last year was my first season and I had an unforgettable time working alongside such amazing dancers and an even better time with Judge Rinder. It was an opportunity of a lifetime and I will never forget it.”

Natalie Lowe previously announced that she was quitting, with the trio being replaced by newcomers Dianne Buswell, Nadiya Bychkova and Amy Dowden.

Dianne hails from Australia originally, appearing on the most recent series of the Aussie version of the show, ‘Dancing With The Stars’.

Similarly, Nadiya has taken part in the Bosnian version of ‘Strictly’, while Amy is the current British National Champion in ballroom dance.

While Joanne has chosen to quit, her brother and sister-in-law, Kevin and Karen Clifton - are both sticking around for the next series.

The full list of ‘Strictly’ pros for the 2017 series is as follows:

  • AJ Pritchard
  • Aljaž Škorjanec
  • Amy Dowden
  • Anton du Beke
  • Brendan Cole
  • Chloe Hewitt
  • Dianne Buswell
  • Giovanni Pernice
  • Gorka Marquez
  • Janette Manrara
  • Karen Clifton
  • Katya Jones
  • Kevin Clifton
  • Nadiya Bychkova
  • Neil Jones
  • Oti Mabuse
  • Pasha Kovalev

Interestingly, this is the second time in a row that the reigning ‘Strictly’ pro has quit the show after their victory, with Aliona Vilani leaving shortly after she and Jay McGuiness triumphed.

'Strictly Come Dancing': All The Winners
Natasha Kaplinsky and Brendan Cole(01 of16)
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Newsreader Natasha Kaplinsky was the first star to ever triumph in the inaugural series of 'Strictly Come Dancing', back in 2004, when there were just seven competitors to beat.Having obviously been a hit with 'Strictly' viewers, she was later chosen to cover for regular presenter Tess Daly, when she went on maternity leave. (credit:BBC)
Jill Halfpenny and Darren Bennet(02 of16)
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Clearly sensing they were onto a winner, the BBC decided to kick-start the second series of 'Strictly' just three months after Natasha Kaplinsky's victory, securing its spot in the Saturday night schedule in the latter half of the year.Jill Halfpenny was crowned winner second time around, along with her partner, Darren Bennet. (credit:PA/PA Archive)
Darren Gough and Lilia Kopylova(03 of16)
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Darren became the first male celebrity to triumph in the 'Strictly Come Dancing' final in 2005, beating Colin Jackson and eventual 'It Takes Two' presenter Zoe Ball in the process. (credit:Michael Boyd/PA Archive)
Mark Ramprakash and Karen Hardy(04 of16)
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Cricket player Mark Ramprakash took home the glitter-ball trophy a year later.Here he is performing with his professional partner, Karen Hardy, at the BBC Sports Personality Of The Year Awards a year after his victory. (credit:David Davies/PA Archive)
Alesha Dixon and Matthew Cutler(05 of16)
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'Strictly' helped breathe new life into Alesha's career, when she and partner Matthew Cutler were crowned winners.Her smash hit solo single 'The Boy Does Nothing' followed soon after, not to mention a spot on the 'Strictly' judging panel... until Simon Cowell decided to snare her for 'BGT', that is. (credit:BBC)
Tom Chambers and Camilla Dallerup(06 of16)
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'Holby City' actor Tom Chambers' public profile skyrocketed, when he and his professional partner, Camilla Dallerup, were crowned winners of the sixth series.They beat TV presenter Lisa Snowdon and 'Negotiate With Love' singer Rachel Stevens in the live final, back in 2008. (credit:Mark Cuthbert via Getty Images)
Chris Hollins and Ola Jordan(07 of16)
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Chris Hollins gave professional dancer Ola Jordan her first, and so far only, win back in 2010. (credit:BBC)
Kara Tointon and Artem Chigvintsev(08 of16)
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Kara and Artem had a double victory in 2010.Shortly after taking home the glitter-ball trophy, they announced that they were dating. (credit:Rowan Miles/PA Archive)
Harry Judd and Aliona Vilani(09 of16)
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Can we please just take a moment to appreciate this photo? (credit:David Jones/PA Archive)
Louis Smith and Flavia Cacace(10 of16)
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The tenth series was won by Olympian Louis Smith and his professional partner, Flavia Cacace. (credit:Georgie Gillard/Associated Newspapers/REX)
Abbey Clancy and Aljaž Skorjanec(11 of16)
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In the first ever all-female 'Strictly' final, Abbey beat Susanna Reid and Natalie Gumede to the glitter-ball trophy.Fourth place was also a female contestant, with Sophie Ellis-Bextor leaving the competition at the semi-final stage. (credit:Rui Vieira/PA Archive)
Caroline Flack and Pasha Kovalev(12 of16)
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Caroline Flack, who took part in the competition less than a year after leaving 'X Factor' spin-off show, 'Xtra Factor'. Apparently sensing her popularity was on the rise, Simon Cowell quickly signed her up to host the main show, alongside Olly Murs. (credit:BBC)
Jay McGuiness and Aliona Vilani(13 of16)
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When the 2015 contestants were first announced, no one would have tipped Jay for victory, particularly after he continuously played down his dancing abilities.

Cut to a couple of months later, though, and that Glitter-ball trophy was his. (credit:Dave J Hogan via Getty Images)
Ore Oduba and Joanne Clifton(14 of16)
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TV presenter Ore Oduba beat off stiff competition from 'Hollyoaks' star Danny Mac who was hot favourite to lift the glitterball trophy in 2016. (credit:PA Archive/PA Images)
Joe McFadden and Katya Jones(15 of16)
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'Holby City' actor Joe was the dark horse of the competition, rising through the ranks as the weeks went on to triumph over Alexandra Burke, Debbie McGee and Gemma Atkinson in the 2017 final. (credit:PA Wire/PA Images)
Stacey Dooley and Kevin Clifton(16 of16)
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Stacey and Kevin were the surprise winners of the 2018 series, triumphing over other finalists Ashley Roberts, Faye Tozer and Joe Sugg. The pair later went on to begin a relationship. (credit:Aaron Chown - PA Images via Getty Images)
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