Strictly pro dancers and judges revealed for new series!

Amy Dowden will return to the Strictly stage this autumn

There's some exciting news for Strictly fans - the pro dancers taking part in the next series of the competition later this year have been revealed.

While there are still several months before the hit dance show makes its glitzy return to TV screens for its 20th year, the announcement gives audiences a glimpse of what to expect from the next series.

This year will see the return of pro dancer Amy Dowden, who took a break from the show last year due to illness. She'll be coming back this autumn after receiving cancer treatment.

"I can't wait to be back doing what I love most in the world, dancing! Feel blessed and more excited than EVER. Bring it on!" Amy shared on social media.

Giovanni Pernice and actress Rose Ayling-Ellis won the competition in 2021

Meanwhile, Giovanni Pernice will not return to Strictly Come Dancing for the next series.

The BBC did not announce Giovanni, who won the competition in 2021 with actress Rose Ayling-Ellis, as part of its line-up of professional dancers for 2024.

The news comes weeks after Giovanni denied reports about his teaching methods on the show.

He had said he was surprised by claims made about his dance teaching methods, and rejected any suggestions of inappropriate behaviour.

Who else will be taking to the Strictly stage?

The Strictly judges will all be returning for the show's 20th year

Strictly Come Dancing 2024 will also see the return of dancers Dianne Buswell, Nadiya Bychkova, Graziano Di Prima, Karen Hauer, Katya Jones, Neil Jones, Nikita Kuzmin, Gorka Marquez, Luba Mushtuk, Jowita Przystal, Johannes Radebe, Kai Widdrington, Nancy Xu, Carlos Gu, Lauren Oakley, Michelle Tsiakkas and Vito Coppola, who won last year's competition.

Strictly judges Shirley Ballas, Motsi Mabuse, Craig Revel-Horwood and Anton Du Beke will all return as this year's judges, while Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman will present the 2024 series.

20 years of Strictly

2024 marks 20 years since the very first series of Strictly Come Dancing.

To celebrate two decades of the hit show, the BBC has promised "a spectacular series of glitz, glamour and unforgettable performances" this year.

There will also be a one-off programme that will take a look back at the show over the last 20 years, featuring famous performances and interviews with past celebrity stars, professional dancers and judges.