Thanks for the link. So going on backstageones info either there's been a late change in which male pros are in or it's Neil and Katya, Chloe or Oksana.

Agree Ellie, such a change to the early days with a handful of pro couples on the floor and each featured prominently during the dance.

I wonder if they always signed Neil up on that basis (when Katya was announced, he mentioned that he was in discussions re a role) and the same with AJ and Chloe - except that one of them would have a partner and they were keeping their options open as to whether the last minute Olympian that they inevitably would be hoping for, ended up being male or female. Not that AJ or Chloe would necessarily get the Olympian but just that it would determine whether they needed 8 female pros and 7 male pros (which is what it should be if it were to follow the alternating pattern of the last few years) or vice versa.

And as backstageone says that it looks like AJ will have a partner, then perhaps that means that they nabbed a female Olympian?

It would still be worth both AJ and Chloe signing up on that basis - especially as both would get partners next year.

I see there is speculation that it might be Anton and Brendan's last year - I'd been thinking that too. I bet that Abton (if not both of them) wants the judge role, but if he doesn't get it, I can't see him carrying on

Radio Times says "Strictly will bench two of the new professional dancers".

backstageone practically confirmed Neil is sitting out and we have no reason to doubt them, their info has always proven right. So, if we apply "logic", Katya will be sitting out too. But that remains to be seen.

IIRC, backstageone also said that all the pros from previous series will get partners. So Giovanni will have a partner, as will Brendan, Anton, Kevin, Aljaz and Pasha.

That's good, I'm glad Brendan and Anton will still have partners, because there has been quite a lot of talk of them sitting out.

In this thread or another?

Anton, Brendan, AJ confirmed to have celeb and Gorka likely in this thread.

I would say Katya must have a celeb or the Jones could have continued competing and helping out with choreography behind the scenes.

If Neil and Katya are sitting out they could do like a dance tutorial thing where they teach the viewers how to learn dances on ITT. That would be good. Or maybe cherography corner

He should get one its his second year. He's one of my faves. I'll be disappointed if he doesn't

Katya is not sitting out.

I also really hope it's not Giovanni!

Thanks for that, backstageone

So, Katya, AJ, and Gorka will have partners (according to your reliable info). That leaves us with Chloe or Oksana to sit out if we go with the Radio Times headline that 2 new pros will be benched.

Well who is then?

Oooh thank you Glad Katya has a celeb, hopefully someone with a talent for the Latin dances.

Does Aljaz have a celeb?

Hopefully he's my fave

Same here

Aljaz is my favourite male pro too along with Brendan.

No way will Aljaz be sitting out, he's too popular, former winner, done three series. For what it's worth he is also name checked by the source in the RT article as definitely in along with Anton and Brendan.

I know you are a Strictly Fan , but how many favourites have you got??

Lots Aljaz, Gio, Gorka, AJ, Oti, Natalie and Oksana

Oksana is not sitting out iether

A word of caution, People need to understand that things are always fluid and ever changing on Strictly, and those changes can happen in a heartbeat. The pros situation seem solid at this point and the producers "would/should never" go back to changing that, but like I have pointed out before, they have made changes up to an hour right before launching the series. especially when it comes to matching the celebrities with the pros.

I've got multiple faves... Aljaz, Brendan, Joanne, Natalie and more

Who are you hoping Naga will get Sarah? I've guessed Pasha but I see she's said she'd like Karen...so Kevin maybe?

Thank you backstageone for your amazing inside information as usual.

keep it coming

Understood thank you Will expect possible changes, it's fun guessing!

Sounds like Chloe for now then if we get three ladies and two men announced next week.

You know I am not a Cliftons fan, but I have no problem with her being paired with Kevin and that might change my opinion of him. I know whom I don't want her to dance with, better not go there.

I am realistic, I know Naga can't win, but hopefully last till the semis.
I would like Laura to be partnered with Aljiaz and then they might push your fav.

I hope Will gets a good partner, he has the potential to win. I did vote for him in Pop Idol.

You don't want Brendan for Naga ? He'll get one of the taller ladies and can't see him being made to do all the travelling to Manchester with his having a family.

I'd like Aljaz with Laura or Daisy and the other with Brendan.