'I was hoping it wasn't true': Strictly fans reveal their grief on Twitter as hunk Gleb Savchenko announces he has QUIT the show... while three new pros join the line-up
- Gleb Savchenko has revealed he's leaving Strictly after one series
- The Russian hunk follows in the footsteps of pro dancers Ola Jordan, Kristina Rihanoff, Trisan MacManus and Aliona Vilani
- Fans on Twitter have shared their sadness over the 32-year-old's departure
- But three new professional dancers have been unveiled, including a World Champion
This year's Strictly Come Dancing is set to heat up as three new professionals are joining the line-up.
However, as the newcomers have been revealed, there is some sad news among the Strictly camp as beloved dancer Gleb Savchenko has joined Aliona Vilani, Kristina Rihanoff, Ola Jordan and Tristan MacManus in quitting the show, citing family commitments.
The BBC revealed in a press release: 'Strictly extends its thanks to those who announced at the end of last series that they wouldn't be returning to the show, and to Gleb Savchenko, who has decided that due to family commitments he will not be appearing in the next series.'
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It's over: Gleb Savchenko - who danced with Anita Rani in 2015 - has confirmed he is quitting Strictly Come Dancing
Gleb, 32, 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.
The handsome Russian star - who is currently appearing on Celebrity Masterchef - added: 'I'll definitely be tuning in though.'
The good-looking gent, who reached the semi-finals of Strictly in 2015 with Countryfile presenter Anita Rani,is married to fellow dancer Elena Samodanova and has a young daughter.
Former The Wanted singer Jay McGuiness was eventually crowned the winner alongside his partner Aliona Vilani.
He'll be missed: Gleb - who sometimes went shirtless while on the show, treating his fans to his amazing muscular physique - only appeared on Strictly for one series
Hello there, handsome: Speaking about his departure from the show, Gleb revealed it's down to 'family commitments'
Aliona and fellow professional dancers Ola and Kristina announced at the end of the last series that they would not be returning to the show, which recently won a National Television Award and its first TV Bafta, while Tristan MacManus quit earlier this year.
However, Pasha Kovalevsky, Aljaz Skorjanec, Giovanni Pernice, Natalie Lowe, Joanne Clifton, Janette Manrara and Oti Mabuse will all join Anton Du Beke, Brendan Cole and the Cliftons as returning dancers.
Unsurprisingly, there has been an outpouring of grief on Twitter following Gleb's reveal, with many of his fans clearly saddened by his exit after just one series.
Oh no! Fans took to Twitter upon hearing the news of Gleb's exit from Strictly, with many saying he hadn't been on it enough yet... while another made a opportunistic Jeremy Corbyn joke
Strictly fan @hazel_rhodes1 wrote: '@Gleb_Savchenko sad to see you go Gleb, you definitely brought something new to Strictly. All the best to you and your family!'
While a distraught @charbean1 commented: @Gleb_Savchenko @BBCOne @MasterChefUK i was hoping it wasn't true.'
Several Twitter users directed their messages to author and Strictly fan Marian Keyes, with @tracyf1971 writing: '@MarianKeyes have you heard the news?? No @Gleb_Savchenko on #SCD this year :-('
And @Mags_Peach added: '@MarianKeyes did you see @Gleb_Savchenko is leaving @bbcstrictly.'
Sharing her upset, @JudgeNatalie shared her disbelief on the social networking site: '@Gleb_Savchenko AND @TristanMacManus are gone!?'
New face: Oksana Platero is one of the new stars joining the professional dancers in the Strictly line-up for 2016
Addition to the team: World Champion dancer Katya Jones looks to be a hot new face on the Strictly pro team
Hunk: Top Spanish dance professional Gorka Marquez will no doubt be a favourite among fans of the BBC show
@ThunderbirdWPC revealed she didn't think there had been enough of the handsome Gleb on the show, writing: 'What no @Gleb_Savchenko or @TristanMacManus boo hoo. We haven't seen enough of them ☹️.'
And one opportunistic tweeter saw a chance to make a topical joke, and referred to the current state of the flailing Labour party following the EU Referendum.
'Today is not a good day for the slim cross-section of the Venn diagram that covers fans of Jeremy Corbyn and Gleb Savchenko,' @lukeeharman joked.
Meanwhile, World Champion Katya Jones, Ukrainian Champion Oksana Platero and top Spanish dance professional Gorka Marquez will help to guide this year's celebrity contestants on the BBC dance show which features judges Len Goodman, Bruno Tonioli, Craig Revel Horwood and Darcey Bussell.
The three new professionals are thrilled to be joining the long-running show and can't wait to get rehearsing.
Stunning brunette Katya said: 'I am so privileged to be joining Strictly Come Dancing. I know it is extremely intense, but so am I! I am fierce, fabulous, and would love to win!'
Gorka, a handsome replacement for Gleb, added: 'I feel very excited and grateful to be joining Strictly, and to be one of the professional dancers for the new series.
'It's something that every dancer dreams of and something that I always wanted to have the opportunity to do.'
And Oksana gushed: 'Words cannot describe how extremely excited I am to be joining the Strictly Come Dancing family this year.
Other jobs in the pipeline: Gleb, 32, is currently appearing in this year's Celebrity Masterchef
'I am so fortunate to be given the opportunity. It feels so surreal and I cannot wait to get started.'
Louise Rainbow, executive producer of Strictly Come Dancing, said: 'We are delighted with our professional dancer line-up this year and we welcome three new stunning dancers to our Strictly family.
'Our most recent series was a terrific one for Strictly, winning both an NTA and Bafta Television Award, and we are all so excited to build on that and look forward to yet another brilliant and entertaining series.'
Other professional dancers joining the line-up will be announced before the show returns and the celebrity competitors are revealed.
Bye: Other professional quitters from Strictly this year include Ola Jordan (left, dancing with Steve Backshall) and Kristina Rihanoff (right, dancing with Daniel O'Donnell)
Reigning champs: Last year's winners were Jay McGuiness and Aliona Vilani, but she too has revealed she's leaving the professional line-up
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-3663904/Strictly-hunk-Gleb-Savchenko-announces-quit-show.html#ixzz4CtnxwjWR
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