Strictly Come Dancing professional Graziano Di Prima has confirmed he will not be paired with a celebrity on this year’s series.
The dancer, who only joined the BBC ballroom show in 2018 where he partnered DJ Vick Hope, will now only appear in group dances and on spin-off show It Takes Two.
Graziano confirmed the news on Instagram, writing: “Just letting all the fans know that I will not have a celeb partner this series, but don’t worry…I am not going anywhere.
“You will see my every Saturday/Sunday nights in all out amazing group dances, on It Takes Two and across the series.
“We have some amazing routines already and I can’t wait for you to see them all.
“To all my fellow pros, good luck for a magical series! Let’s do this and I love you all!”
Speculation had been mounting as to which professionals would end up without a partner this year, amid reports Neil Jones has been promoted.
It had been claimed Gorka Marquez would be on the subs bench this year, with reports he was not the right height for any of the female celebrities.
Neil has been on the show for three years and has not received a celebrity partner for the main series, but has been paired up for Christmas and Children In Need specials.
Last year, newcomers Johannes Radebe and Luba Mushtuk were also left without partners.
Graziano’s first series was not without controversy, as there were rumours he and partner Vick Hope failed to hit it off.
After they were voted out in the fifth week of the competition, Vick ‘liked’ a tweet which said she would have gone further with Neil Jones as her partner.
Graziano also spoke out to distance himself from comments Vick made about judge Shirley Ballas, after she claimed the head panellist had “relished” in criticising her.
The new batch of 15 celebrities taking part in this year’s series will discover who their dance partner is during a special launch show next month, featuring a performance from Kylie Minogue.
Among the famous faces taking to the floor are RuPaul’s Drag Race star Michelle Visage, Olympic rower James Cracknell, comedian Chris Ramsey, ex-footballer David James, EastEnders star Emma Barton and ex-Coronation Street actress Catherine Tyldesley.
Strictly Come Dancing returns to BBC One next month.
