http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/strictlyc...8-15217f13c891

I know this has been somewhat discussed and debated in other threads, but this is the actual announcement.

Glad Neil Jones has joined, guessed he would be announced later after his wife was confirmed

What?! So we're having 17 couples take part?

Are Chloe and AJ actual Pros or are they troupers?

3 British dancers!

That's one to make all the Brexiters happy, the ones who complain about "all these broody Russians", etc, etc, etc...

Surely this indicates we have some very young celebrities taking part, too.

I can't see them pairing 20 and 21 year olds with people in their 30s, even.

Weirdly, AJ reminds me of a young Gleb!!

sobs gently in the corner

I was thinking the same.

How brilliant that it was watching the early series of Strictly as a child that inspired Chloe to take up Latin and Ballroom dancing. The next generation now joining.

That was exactly my thought! It does freak me out a little bit that I'm older than two of the pro's now (only just but still!) but they seem pretty well qualified, looking forward to seeing them join!

Also very happy to see Neil joining the show

would imagine Neil will have celeb? and Chloe and AJ will be part of troupe?? think age wise this will be the case - good dancers great to see them on the show

I kind of thought this might be the case, with Anton sitting out more of the pro routines to round out the numbers. He seemed to be participating in fewer of them last year so it would make sense

well feeling old today as dance world friends kids take part in Strictly

so now along with Kevin and Jo - Adrian Pritchard's son AJ joins too - he and his partner Chloe are great dancers will make a good addition to the show and like Jo and Kev come from a great dancing background. Curtis AJ's brother is another great dancer too and is currently in Burn The Floor. AJ's father Adrian was a great dancer and competitor and now a high level judge.

They also brought in quite a few dancers to make up numbers in pro routines (Patrick helm, Charlotte Gough etc) sort of makes sense to appoint a couple to the pro ranks for this purpose and an added bonus that they are such good dancers AND in both styles which is great for the show

why they didnt just announce Neil when Katya was announced I do not know!

was so obvious that he would be joining the show

not heard of the other 2 but I am sure they will be great additions to the Strictly family

deleted

Or maybe an existing Pro is on the way out? - although judging by the BBC article it lists all the other Pros.

Maybe one will be shafted to ITT like Joanne last year

like Neil and Katya - Aj and Chloe have also appeared on BGT - He is defiitely one for the younger viewers to swoon over

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ADMm7Gyg2IQ

Just from their age would think they are there to take part in pro routines

why an earth not

Ola was paired with Paul Daniels
Iveta were paired with Johnny Ball
Aliona was paired with Tony Jacklin
Kristina was paired with John Sergeant
Ian was paired with June Brown
Izabela was paired with Dennis Taylor
Flavia was paired with Jimmy Tarbuck

i've been wondering when the final new dancers would be announced, they cut it a bit fine considering that pro rehearsals start in 6 days

im looking forward to seeing what all the new pros bring to the show

I am happy more British dancers on the show and from the competitive world too

AJ and Chloe are champs in both styles too

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDPm5ENyeEs

Joining you !

Esther Rantzen was paired with Anton. When the judges said she wasn't being sexy enough with him, she pointed out that she found it a bit difficult when he's the same age as her daughter who was sitting in the audience.

Aj and Chloe bgt I don't remember them

Can we not just get rid of Anton and put AJ in who is getting paid the same (or more) than other pros and does less work?

What does it matter about their ages? What about Julliane Hough? Two DWTS titles at 18. Witney Carson DWTS champion at 22. Lindsay Arnold knocking out brilliant routines at 21-22. If you are talented, brilliant teachers and choreographers and can bring the show into the modern age, then come on in. We need to start securing the future of the show. AJ and Chloe will hopefully be in the show into the 2020s. The old guard will be going and the new will take over. Ola was 23 when she started don't forget.