2016 Strictly Come Dancing Pros Revealed, Gleb Savchenko, Tristan MacManus, And More Not Returning
Waking up to some sad dancing news this morning. According to the BBC, Gleb Savchneko won’t be dancing on Strictly Come Dancing this up coming season because of family commitments. Gleb also confirmed the news at twitter (more below). As you know from previous reports, Tristan MacManus won’t be dancing as well Aliona Vilani, Kristina Rihanoff, and Ola Jordan. Wow, lots of changes and not sure what to think? 🙁 🙁 To read on the new Strictly Come Dancing Pro line up for the 2016 Season, see the BBC. Strictly Spoiler also has written a piece on this news (thanks David!).
We’re dusting off our dancing shoes to reveal our professional dancer line up for 2016 which includes three brand new dancers alongside the return of viewers’ favourites.
New to the fold are world-class Latin and Ballroom dance experts – World Champion Katya Jones, Ukrainian Champion Oksana Platero and top Spanish dance professional Gorka Marquez.
Returning to the Strictly dance floor are our male dancers, Anton du Beke, Brendan Cole, Kevin Clifton, Pasha Kovalev, Aljaž Škorjanec, Giovanni Pernice; and fabulous female dancers are Karen Clifton, Natalie Lowe, Joanne Clifton, Janette Manrara and Oti Mabuse.
Strictly extends its thanks to Tristan MacManus and also to Aliona Vilani, Kristina Rihanoff, Ola Jordan who announced at the end of last series that they wouldn’t be returning to the show, and finally to Gleb Savchenko who has decided that due to family commitments he will not be appearing in the next series.
Gleb said: “I thoroughly enjoyed taking part on the last series of Strictly Come Dancing and especially the way that the UK gave me such a warm welcome but due to family commitments I won’t be returning to the show for the next series – I’ll definitely be tuning in though.”
I thoroughly enjoyed taking part in the last series of Strictly Come Dancing & especially the way that the UK gave me such a warm welcome…
— GLEB SAVCHENKO (@Gleb_Savchenko) June 28, 2016
..but due to family commitments I won't be returning to the show for the next series you can catch me on @BBCOne on @MasterChefUK now though
— GLEB SAVCHENKO (@Gleb_Savchenko) June 28, 2016
Oksana is on next season? Interesting!
Wow! I know Gleb said in past interviews that he wouldn’t come back to the American version. He was doing well over there. I hate that he won’t be on. SCD is actually my favorite version of all the DWTS. They are more ballroom.
When Tristan left the American version he said it was because too much emphasis was placed on the pros and not on the celebrities. His statement about leaving SCD was that he didn’t want to play their games (paraphrasing). I hate that he won’t be on.
I’ve said for a few months when I saw how many people were leaving SCD that I thought Artem would go back. Now that Gleb is leaving it makes even more sense. Artem was their golden boy. His talents were really showcased there. He is more old school ballroom than a lot of the pros.
I wonder if they will try and woo some of the pros from other countries over to SCD or if they will bring in new blood. This should be interesting…
Oops. Just re-read the article that lists the new pros. hmmm
I was surprised to read about this. Gleb was by far the most popular of the new pros and was on his way to fast becoming one of the most popular pros on the show full stop. It must have been difficult for him to leave the show. You have to wonder if Elena seemingly not getting a pro spot had anything to do with his decision (like Trent Whiddon last season). I hope Gleb is still on good terms with the BBC after this, it sounds like they weren’t expecting this and it came out the blue. He’s done another BBC show that’s currently filming now so fingers crossed for him, maybe we’ll see him on the Christmas special which takes place in a shorter period of time that should suit him. Edee, the conversation has been done to death but I’ll say it again, why would Artem go back to a show that pays him substantially less money than DWTS? He was eliminated in week 3 last season and still probably earned treble what he’d get paid for a full season on Strictly. Those days are long behind him. No DWTS dancer would ever leave for Strictly whilst still an active part of DWTS. It makes no financial or career sense.
Gleb strikes me as extremely ambitious, it’s hard for me to picture him not taking a spot offered to him, makes me wonder if there is something else in the works if he chose not to vs not being asked back. Also, I think Elena wants him to be successful and famous too so I can’t see her holding him back. Admittedly I know little about them, and I don’t think being ambitious is a bad trait, I think it’s a very good trait.
Aww Vogue, I’m sorry for you that Gleb isn’t going to be on. I know how much you like him and Elena.
What are the chances of Gleb being wooed back to DWTS, which might explain the saying no to Strictly?
Thank you so much, Susan. I wondered about him possibly coming back to the US version, but, I’m doubtful with him saying “family commitments” instead of just “commitments” when he commented on it. So, I don’t know?
Sorry M8 for bringing up the subject “again”. I don’t follow this site religiously so I must have missed the previous discussions. My apologies.
As for not leaving DWTS for SCD, didn’t Tristan do just that? Sometimes it isn’t just about the money. Although as much as Artem seems to love big boy toys, money probably is a big factor. Also, now that he has a side chick here, that would make a difference too. I just think he was treated better over there.
Gleb is a wonderful dancer and will be missed. I’m hoping that whatever family obligation is taking him away isn’t serious.
Sad about Gleb :(. I do hope it means that there is a chance they asked him back on DWTS and his family commitments means that he’ll move back to LA with his family for a better opportunity like Artem. I do remember an after buzz episode where he hoped to be asked back for the US DWTS after his stint on Strictly and his wife was very supportive of the idea. He mentioned something about the “strictly curse” and good thing is that he doesn’t really have to worry about that over at DWTS. While there are always dating rumors and showman’s on DWTS, none of them have really broken up marriages like strictly has. I don’t think Artem would return to Strictly even if he got the better celebrities and was the “golden child” based on the fact that DWTS pays better even with a celebrity dud. I think that’s why even with Emma being out last season, she still not running over to Strictly.
I so hope you are right, Steve!!!
I am disappointed about the Gleb news because it was a fun show to watch, however happy it may open doors for him to come to DWTS (wishful thinking). I do know he was exhausted after that long season and then doing 2 more months of a show in England, very long commitment for anyone. I think it may have been because Elena did not make pro there, that would have kept them together and on the same page. It is such a long commitment. Olivia is now starting school, so they are looking for stability . Wishing them the best whatever the decision.
Ok so gotta warn you this is going to be a long post from me because I’m kinda annoyed. First off, congrats to the returning pros becuase they all deserve it (yes even Anton who I’m very critical of) and welcome back to Joanne who I figured would be back as a pro since she is great and always seems to be there anyways. Saying that, in going to miss ola and gleb. Kristina and aliona not so much. As for Tristan he said why somethings out by coming back to the show awhile back and if that’s what he wants then I’m ok with that. But back to ola and gleb. As annoying as she could be at times, Ola really is one of my favs there. And if this means we can have gleb back on our version in any capacity I’m all for it but I really was Hoping he would be one of the pros like Anton and the others that people can bank on coming back becuase he is so good. I have no idea who the newbies are to be honest but the one that stands out to me the most has to be gorka. From what I could find online he could be fun.
You don’t have to apologise to me Edee, I came off a little rough in that post haha.
I thought Tristan left DWTS because he didn’t want to be a part of the show anymore. I remember him saying in an interview that he knew after doing a dance with Valerie that it would be his last season. Then a few months later Strictly came calling and it seemed like a great job for him, a chance to return home and work in the UK. Unfortunately since then Tristan has obviously fallen out of love with the drama/manipulation/scriptedness of Strictly as well so has decided to quit altogether and settle down with his new child. I’m happy for him, he strikes me as someone who doesn’t really care about money/fame and just wants to enjoy a stressfree life with his wife and child so good for him!
I’m sure Gleb’ll be okay Vogue, it’s a credit to him that he’s putting his family first over the show. Whatever him and Elena do in the future will be a success I’m sure, he’s very well liked over in the UK now so work will be there for him if needed.
Please send Gleb and Tristan to LA for DWTS!!!!!!!!!!!
Vin, Gorka is fascinating to me too. And already Oksana is catching the eye of the UK press. I hope she is a huge success there.
M8, I couldn’t agree more on Tristan and ditto to what you and Julie said on Gleb. I hope he will be ok too for whatever he decides.
Carrie, I would love that, but, I’m not going to get my hopes on it at all. Though if they do, I will be jumping up and down and we will have a huge party and pass out all at the same time. lol
Oksana is on, so I’m definetely looking for this season. And Pasha and Aljaz and Oti are back too =)
And, yes M8, if we see manipulation on US version, in the UK version it seems worst…
I’m so happy for Oksana. I really liked her on DWTS.
I’m a bit surprised about Aliona, Ola and Kristina who were strong dancers and with the show for a long time. I’m not a fan of Joanne Clifton or Karen Clifton but I do like Jeanette Manrara.
I guess I’ll have to wait and see what happens. I love Strictly and watch it religiously but at heart I’m a DWTS girl.
When this many pros leave over a couple of seasons, there is CLEARLY something wrong with that show and it’s showrunners or how the pros are treated. I doubt very much that they’ll manage to lure any pros who are in high demand elsewhere.
Perhaps putting emphasis on the pros isn’t such a bad idea.
“Wooed” back to DWTS?? I don’t think he left of his own volition, unlike Tristan. And if the reasons for him not being on SCD are real, then I don’t see DWTS making that any better.
For someone to be a “side chick” doesn’t there have to be a “main chick”??
PH’s post #19 hit the nail on the head IMO. The fans were calling fowl all last Season and two of the pros came out and said the show is fixed and that they wanted nothing more to do with it.