strictly professionals tour 2022 lineup

STRICTLY PROFESSIONALS 2024

Join a dazzling dozen of the world’s best professional dancers as they take to the road next year for the 2024 official Strictly The Professionals UK Tour.

This exhilarating show will showcase the exceptional talent of 12 of TV’s beloved professional dancers, supported by incredible singers and a live band, all performed within the wonderful world of glamour and sparkle that fans know and love from the smash hit series.

Join hugely talented Strictly Professionals – Dianne Buswell, Vito Coppola, Carlos Gu, Karen Hauer, Neil Jones, Nikita Kuzmin, Gorka Marquez, Luba Mushtuk, Graziano di Prima, Jowita Przystal, Michelle Tsiakkas and Nancy Xu – live and up close as they treat audiences to world-class dance, sparkling sets and stunning choreography with a generous sprinkle of Strictly magic.

Directed by Strictly’s Creative Director Jason Gilkison, Strictly The Professionals will surprise and delight audiences with dance and choreography at the highest possible standard.

Don’t miss your chance to see so many of your favourite dancers coming together to perform in a theatrical ensemble that will quite simply take your breath away.

TOUR PHOTOS 2024

​Print and Facebook: Marc Brenner Insta: @ marcsbrenner Twitter/X: @ brennerphotos

‘This glittering two-hour performance oozes razzmatazz from start to finish’

‘An audience of all ages is joyfully unified: that’s the magic.’

Thank you for supporting the 2024 strictly professionals tour. we will be back in 2025 for more news and priority booking opportunities for this and the strictly live tour, sign up to our mailing list. keeep dancing.

Sat 8 Jun 2024

2024 newspaper of the year

@ Contact us

Your newsletters

Strictly professionals 2022: Full line-up of pro dancers for the new series of Strictly Come Dancing

Hosts tess daly and claudia winkleman will welcome the new celebrity contestants and their professional dance partners this weekend.

Strictly Come Dancing has returned for its 20th series as fans prepare to watch a whole host of celebrities give dancing a go.

This season sees a fresh batch of celebrities donning their dance shoes, with a range of famous faces set to dazzle alongside their professional dance partner.

There will be some Strictly favourites returning to train up the celebrities , alongside some fresh new professional dancers from across the globe.

Professional Strictly dancers for 2022

This year, four new world class dancers complete the professional troupe. The new professional dancers are:

Vito Coppola

11-time Latin American Champion Vito Coppola began dancing at the age of six. The Italian’s career highlights include being a three-time World Championship finalist and European Cup Winner. In 2021 he left the world of competition to join Ballando con le Stelle , the Italian version of Strictly Come Dancing – where he won first place.

Chinese National Champion Carlos Gu has been described as a dancer at the very top of his game. He is a multiple world semi-finalist and came third at the German Open Championship. With his wealth of experience in ballroom, ballet and contemporary dance, Carlos brings a wealth of dance knowledge to the Strictly ballroom.

Lauren Oakley

Birmingham-born Lauren Oakley started dancing at just two years old and began competing soon after. She was crowned Under-21 British National Champion before exploring a career on stage. Lauren has since toured all over the world and most recently has been leading lady to Giovanni Pernice and Anton Du Beke in their national tours.

Michelle Tsiakkas

Latin dance champion Michelle Tsiakkas first started as a child in Cyprus. She quickly became an undefeated champion, winning national titles from 2001 to 2011 before moving to London to study. While in the UK she continued to compete, representing England at major international championships.

Returning dancers:

• Dianne Buswell
• Nadiya Bychkova
• Graziano Di Prima
• Karen Hauer
•  Katya Jones
• Nikita Kuzmin
• Cameron Lombard
• Gorka Marquez
• Luba Mushtuk
• Giovanni Pernice
• Jowita Przystal
• Johannes Radebe
• Kai Widdrington

More from Television

Strictly Come Dancing Line Up

All of the celebrities will take to the dance floor later alongside their partners with the hopes of lifting the Glitterball.

As well as the new “BBC 100” week, this year’s series will include viewer favourites, Movie Week, Halloween Week, Musicals Week – plus a return to Blackpool.

• Ellie Simmonds
• Ellie Taylor
• Hamza Yassin
• Helen Skelton
• Jayde Adams
• Molly Rainford
• Richie Anderson
• Will Mellor

When does Strictly Come Dancing start?

Strictly Come Dancing will be back on screens on Friday 23 September at 7pm, with a special pre-recorded introductory episode.

Hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman will welcome the new celebrity contestants for their dancing debuts and viewers will discover which professional dancer they have been paired with.

The opening live show will then air at 6.45pm on Saturday 24 September – when the 15 couples take to the dance floor for the first time.

Most Read By Subscribers

Strictly Come Dancing – The Professionals UK Tour is back for 2022

The official Strictly Come Dancing – The Professionals UK Tour is back for 2022. And fans will be delighted to hear the sensational line-up of incredible professional dancers who will star in the 36-date tour which opens on 28 April at Salford’s Lowry Theatre and then dances its way around the country, culminating at Aberdeen’s P&J Live on 30 May.

Jason Gilkison said: “ We are delighted to announce this incredible line-up of Strictly dancers for this year’s official Strictly Professionals tour. These much-loved pros are set to dazzle audiences across the country this spring, with two hours of the finest choreography and dancing. Watching them perform at such an incredible standard is an experience not to be missed. ”

Audiences nationwide will enjoy the inspiring talent of the multi-award-winning world-class dancers as they perform stunningly choreographed Ballroom and Latin routines in exquisite costumes, with all the glitz, glamour, sequins and sparkle of the smash-hit BBC One TV show – live on stage!

Don’t miss this unique opportunity to see this spectacular dance extravaganza as Strictly Come Dancing – The Professionals comes to a venue near you for a Strictly limited engagement!

Strictly Come Dancing – The Professionals 2022 UK Tour Dates 28 April Salford: The Lowry 7.30pm 29 April Salford: The Lowry 2.30pm & 7.30pm 30 April Cardiff: Motorpoint Arena 7.30pm 01 May Cardiff: Motorpoint Arena 2.30pm & 7.30pm 03 May Hull: Bonus Arena 7.30pm 04 May Hull: Bonus Arena 7.30pm 05 May Newcastle: Utilita Arena 7.30pm 06 May Liverpool: M&S Bank Arena 7.30pm 07 May Sheffield: Utilita Arena 7.30pm 08 May Birmingham: Symphony Hall 2.30pm & 7.30pm 10 May Nottingham: Royal Concert Hall 7.30pm 11 May Portsmouth: Guildhall 7.30pm 12 May Brighton: Brighton Centre 7.30pm 13 May London: Palladium 7.30pm 14 May London: Palladium 2.30pm & 7.30pm 15 May Brighton: Centre 2.30pm & 7.30pm 17 May Bournemouth: BIC 7.30pm 18 May Bournemouth: BIC 7.30pm 19 May Plymouth: Pavilions 7.30pm 20 May Plymouth: Pavilions 2.30pm & 7.30pm 21 May Oxford: New Theatre 2.30pm & 7.30pm 22 May Nottingham: Royal Concert Hall 7.30pm 24 May Leeds: First Direct Arena 7.30pm 25 May Blackpool: Opera House 7.30pm 26 May Blackpool: Opera House 7.30pm 28 May Glasgow: Armadillo 7.30pm 29 May Edinburgh: Festival Theatre 2.30pm & 7.30pm 30 May Aberdeen: P&J Arena 7.30pm

Maybe of Interest? Shows Booking Now

• Strictly Come Dancing: The Professionals at Swansea Arena
• Strictly Come Dancing: The Professionals at Stockton Globe
• Strictly Florence Aylesbury Waterside Theatre Tickets
• Anton & Giovanni – Together at Milton Keynes Thea...
• The Elvis Tribute Artist World Tour Liverpool Empire Tickets...

About The Author

Who won the BBC election debate? Tell us what you think

'strictly' unveils line-up as professionals tour returns after covid postponement.

Nadiya Bychkova, Graziano Di Prima and Karen Hauer are among the 10 Strictly dancers getting ready to hit the road for the show's Professionals Tour.

The tour was postponed last year amid the coronavirus pandemic but is set to return in April.

Organisers have now confirmed the line-up, which also includes Gorka Marquez, Dianne Buswell, Katya Jones and her ex Neil, Cameron Lombard and Luba Mushtuk.

Read more: Martin Roberts hopes Full Monty strip catches the eye of Strictly bosses

Newcomer Kai Widdrington - who made his debut on the 2021 series of Strictly - will also be taking part.

Widdrington made a splash last year with his celebrity partner AJ Odudu , and they made it all the way to the final where they were due to face John Whaite and Rose Ayling-Ellis.

However, they were forced to pull out after Odudu injured her ankle , which left her wearing a "medical moonboot" and unable to dance.

The dancers will perform 36 dates throughout April and May, kicking off in Salford on 28 April.

Strictly creative director Jason Gilkison will be at the helm and said the pros would "dazzle" the crowds.

“We are delighted to announce this incredible line-up of Strictly dancers for this year’s official Strictly Professionals tour," he said.

Read more: John Whaite 'comfortable in own skin for first time' thanks to Johannes Radebe

"These much-loved pros are set to dazzle audiences across the country this spring, with two hours of the finest choreography and dancing."

“Watching them perform at such an incredible standard is an experience not to be missed," he added.

The tour had been due to start in June 2021.

A few weeks beforehand, organisers said they had made the “difficult” decision to delay it until 2022 due to the “ongoing uncertainty” surrounding live entertainment venues across the UK.

A statement said: “Unfortunately due to the scale of the Strictly Come Dancing: The Professionals production, it is not possible to tour unless the show has the opportunity to perform to full capacity houses.”

Additional reporting by PA.

Watch: Shirley Ballas appears to confirm romance rumours between Strictly's Kai and Nadiya

Latest stories

Pugnacious farage lands blows that leave rivals reeling in bbc election debate.

They say you should never pick a fight with someone who buys ink by the barrel, and that adage should now include never picking a fight with someone who has their own TV show.

Eamonn Holmes shares message to girl he 'loves and adores' amid Ruth Langsford divorce

The presenter has recently been hitting the headlines following the news of his divorce from Ruth Langsford after 27 years together.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle face humiliation as Netflix documentary bombs

A recent Netflix documentary created by Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex has been a ratings flop. The couple have attempted to rebrand themselves as Hollywood producers since they relocated to the USA in 2020 and turned their backs on royal duties. Last year, they produced a documentary about the Invictus Games through their Archewell production company, but the show has proven to be a flop for the streaming service. The Hollywood Reporter has shared a list of the least-watched high-pr

A knock at the door and 20 years of his life were taken

'You can’t prepare yourself, you don’t see it coming. It’s just poof and your life changes in an instant'

Death tax on pensions ‘a real threat’ under Labour

A pensions death tax is “a real risk” under Labour, industry insiders have warned.

Putin Rages As Reporter Asks About Attacking Nato: 'Are You As Dumb As This Table?'

It comes after the Russian president has made repeated threats against the West.

New poll reveals ‘Farage effect’ on the general election

Nigel Farage may have had milk shake thrown in his face at his launch to win Clacton but a new poll has revealed he has changed the general election

Duke of Westminster wedding: Billionaire Hugh Grosvenor and Olivia Henson tie the knot with Prince William among party

The happy couple shared a kiss outside Chester Cathedral after exchanging vows

Everything to know as hundreds will cycle across London NAKED tomorrow

A naked bike ride is being held tomorrow, with meeting points scattered across London.

Why Princess Kate and her three children did not attend the Duke of Westminster's wedding with Prince William

Kate Middleton and her three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis did not join Prince William at the Duke of Westminster and Olivia Henson's wedding in Chester. Find out why...

Luke Littler delivers brutal Harry Maguire message after Manchester United defender's England snub

Harry Maguire is set to be among the six players set to miss out on this summer's European Championships with England

Bankrupt Katie Price explains how she affords £5,000-a-month rent and life of partying

Despite being declared bankrupt Katie Price has continued to flaunt her lavish lifestyle and is now thought to be paying £5,000-a-month rent after being evicted from her home

This D-Day cock-up is final proof that Rishi Sunak is an embarrassment to Britain

Just when you thought the Conservatives’ election campaign couldn’t get any worse, the Prime Minister chose to snub veterans by leaving the D-Day commemoration event in Normandy early. He did so in order to be interviewed by a broadcaster. Then he apologised. Those are the bare facts, and, frankly, it’s difficult to know where to start with this.

Kensington Palace Makes Rare Comment On Kate Middleton’s Recovery And Return-To-Work Date

Kensington Palace has given a rare update on Kate Middleton as she continues her cancer treatment and recovery journey out of the public eye.

The terrible fate of SAS heroes who landed in France ahead of D-Day

D-Day was never just about the beaches.

Dozens of 'unauthorised' caravans set up camp on popular park

Caravans have taken over a city centre park after dozens of vehicles began to camp in the field overnight.

Prince Harry 'deeply upset' at the prospect of Prince Andrew moving into his old home he shared with Meghan Markle

Prince Harry is said to be 'deeply upset' at the idea of his disgraced uncle Prince Andrew moving into Frogmore Cottage, the home he was gifted for his wedding to Meghan Markle

'Contemptible' Prince Andrew has a major hurdle to jump if he wants to continue his life of luxury at Royal Lodge

EXCLUSIVE: Following claims that King Charles is urging Prince Andrew to move out of Royal Lodge, royal expert Jennie Bond has shared her thoughts on the dilemma

Woman's 'game-changing' wheelie bin hack is 'genius' for making job faster

The simple trick has been branded 'genius' by people who find bringing the wheelie bins in a boring task - and they can't wait to try it out for themselves

Dr Michael Mosley search hit by extreme alert amid 'strange' disappearance

Temperatures are reaching extremely high levels on the third day of the search for Dr Mosley

Celebrity & professional dancer line-up announced for Strictly Come Dancing Live UK Tour 20 January – 13 February 2022 

Rose Ayling-Ellis and Giovanni Pernice Sara Davies and Aljaž Skorjanec Max George and Katya Jones AJ Odudu and Kai Widdrington Tilly Ramsay and Nikita Kuzmin Rhys Stephenson and Nancy Xu John Whaite and Johannes Radebe

TICKETS ON SALE NOW FROM

WWW.STRICTLYCOMEDANCINGLIVE.COM

Strictly Come Dancing fans will be thrilled to hear that the line-up of celebrities and their professional partners for the Strictly Come Dancing Live Tour is announced today: Rose Ayling-Ellis and Giovanni Pernice; Sara Davies and Alja ž Skorjanec; AJ Odudu and Kai Widdrington; Tilly Ramsay and Nikita Kuzmin; Rhys Stephenson and Nancy Xu and J ohn Whaite and Johannes Radebe will all hit the road from January next year for 33 scintillating shows. They will be joined by last series’ competitor Max George who will return to the dance floor for the live tour, now dancing with Katya Jones.

Professional dancers Amy Dowden, Neil Jones, Jake Leigh, Cameron Lombard, Luba Mushtuk and Jowita Przystal will be bringing even more wow to this super-sized dance extravaganza, which features live music from the Strictly singers and band.

The previously announced Live Tour judging panel of Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood and Bruno Tonioli; together with new tour host Janette Manrara, make this a sparkling line-up not to be missed.

Rose Ayling-Ellis said: “I have loved every minute of my Strictly journey so far, so to be able to continue it on the live tour next year is so exciting! I can't wait to perform live in front of all the fans who have supported me through this incredible series.”

Sara Davies said: “I loved my Strictly experience - it was my absolute dream to take part in and, as viewers saw, I wasn't quite ready for it to end. Going on tour will give me the chance to dance with  Aljaž again - who has told me what an amazing experience it is. To meet the fans and perform in from of a live audience - will be the icing on the cake for me - I can't wait!" 

Max George said: “ I’m buzzing to be invited to join the Strictly tour.  I know how exciting it is to perform in front the huge arena audiences – it’s incredible.  And this time I get to dance with Katya (who’s a fave of mine) – roll on January, it’s gonna be sick!!!”

Tilly Ramsay said: “‘Taking part in Strictly over the last 10 weeks was the best! A life changing experience where I learnt to dance and made friends for life.   I’m so excited to now have the opportunity to be a part of the Strictly tour.  I’m going to take all the fun from the TV studio to the venues around the country and I can’t wait to dance with a real live audience!  See you there!’

Rhys Stephenson said: “I cannot think of a better way to start the New Year! It will be fantastic to get my dancing shoes back on after Christmas and perform live in all those iconic venues.”  

John Whaite said: “ I’m so excited to continue this sparkling journey with Johannes on the Strictly tour! More sheer tops, more spray tans and more tight trousers? YES PLEASE!”

STRICTLY COME DANCING THE LIVE TOUR 2022

20 – 23 January            Birmingham Utilita Arena                             

(Thursday 20 th at 7.30pm, Friday 21 st at 7.30pm, Saturday 22 nd at 2.30pm & 7.30pm, Sunday 23 rd at 1.30pm & 6.30pm)

25-26 January             Leeds First Direct Arena                                

(Tuesday 25 th at 7.30pm, Wednesday 26 th at 7.30pm)

27-28 January             Newcastle Utilita Arena                                

(Thursday 27 th at 7.30pm, Friday 28 th at 2.30pm & 7.30pm)

29-30 January             Manchester AO Arena                                  

(Saturday 29 th at 2.30pm & 7.30pm, Sunday 30th at 1.30pm & 6.30pm)

01-02 February           Sheffield Utilita Arena                                  

(Tuesday 1 st at 7.30pm, Wednesday 2 nd at 7.30pm)

03-04 February           Liverpool M&S Bank Arena                          

(Thursday 3 rd at 7.30pm, Friday 4 th at 2.30pm & 7.30pm )

05-07 February           Glasgow The OVO Hydro                                          

(Saturday 5 th at 3.00pm & 8.00pm, Sunday 6 th at 1.30pm & 6.30pm, Monday 7th at 7.30pm)

09-10 February           Nottingham Motorpoint Arena                    

(Wednesday 9 th at 7.30pm, Thursday 10 th at 2.30pm & 7.30pm)

11-13 February           London The O2 Arena                                               

(Friday 11 th at 7.30pm, Saturday 12 th at 2.30pm & 7.30pm, Sunday 13th at 1.30pm & 6.30pm)          

Tickets: £ 35 - £ 95 (price bands vary at each venue) 

All ticket prices are subject to a booking fee and may be subject to a venue facility fee

For more information and to book tickets, visit: www.strictlycomedancinglive.com

Twitter: @SCD_Live_Tour

Instagram: @Strictlycomedancinglive

Facebook: /strictlylive

STRICTLY COME DANCING THE LIVE TOUR is produced by Stage Entertainment UK and Phil McIntyre Live, in association with BBC Studios.

For further information, please contact:  Molly Murnaghan / Neil Reading, 

Neil Reading PR,  020 7839 2277

[email protected] 

About BBC Studios

BBC Studios, a global content company with bold British creativity at its heart, is a commercial subsidiary of the BBC Group, supporting the licence fee and enhancing programmes for UK audiences. Able to take an idea seamlessly from thought to screen and beyond, its activities span content financing, development, production, sales, branded services, and ancillaries across both its own productions, and programmes and formats made by high-quality UK independents. Award-winning British programmes made by the business are internationally recognised across a broad range of genres and specialisms, with brands like Strictly Come Dancing/Dancing with the Stars , Top Gear and Doctor Who . BBC.com, BBC Studios’ global digital news platform, provides up-to-the-minute international news, in-depth analysis and features to more than 139 million unique browsers each month. BBC Studios has offices in over 20 markets globally, including ten production bases in the UK and production bases or partnerships in a further seven countries around the world. The company, which ordinarily makes around 2000 hours of content a year for both the BBC and third parties including Apple, Netflix and Migu, is a champion for British creativity around the world.  It is also a committed partner for the UK’s independent sector through a mix of equity partnerships, content investment and international distribution for programme titles.

BBC Studios | Website  | Press Office  | Twitter  | LinkedIn  | Instagram  |

• Entertainment
• Submit Your Story

Strictly Come Dancing announces line-up for The Professionals tour

The first show will take place in April.

Strictly Come Dancing’s The Professionals tour will return in spring after being cancelled last year amid the pandemic.

Organisers confirmed that 10 dancers from the popular BBC One programme will be performing across the UK during April and May.

Dianne Buswell, Nadiya Bychkova, Graziano Di Prima and Karen Hauer feature in the tour, which will be directed by Strictly creative director Jason Gilkison.

Katya Jones, who won the show in 2017 with celebrity partner Joe McFadden, will appear alongside ex-husband Neil, to whom she was married for five years.

Current South African Latin champion Cameron Lombard will be joined by Gorka Marquez and Luba Mushtuk.

Kai Widdrington, who made his debut on the 2021 series of Strictly, completes the line-up.

He reached the live final with TV presenter AJ Odudu, but they were forced to pull out after she suffered a torn ligament.

Gilkison said: “We are delighted to announce this incredible line-up of Strictly dancers for this year’s official Strictly Professionals tour.

“These much-loved pros are set to dazzle audiences across the country this spring, with two hours of the finest choreography and dancing.

“Watching them perform at such an incredible standard is an experience not to be missed.”

The live shows will feature ballroom and Latin routines, as well as elaborate costumes.

The 36-date tour begins at Salford’s Lowry Theatre on April 28 and ends at Aberdeen’s P&J Live on May 30, visiting venues in Newcastle, Birmingham, Brighton, London, Glasgow and Edinburgh along the way.

– More information is available at https://strictlytheprofessionals.com/

'The longest queue I've seen in 49 years': Holidaymakers rage at latest Birmingham Airport 'carnage' Plus Birmingham | 16 hours ago

Wolves in transfer stand off over exciting winger Plus Wolves | 17 hours ago

What are orange chips and where did they come from? A guide to a Black Country food icon Plus Wolverhampton | Jun 5

From derelict to desirable: the former railway station that's become a go-to venue Plus Wolverhampton | 22 hours ago

Wolverhampton sex offender jailed for 13 years for abuse of young girl Crime | 16 hours ago

• Eat & Drink
• Get Creative

Keep Dancing! The fab-u-lous Strictly Come Dancing - The Professionals UK Tour begins at The Lowry

Fri 8 April 2022

The official Strictly Come Dancing – The Professionals UK Tour is back for 2022. And fans will be delighted to hear the sensational line-up of incredible professional dancers who will star in the 36 date tour which opens at The Lowry, Salford on Thursday 28 & Friday 29 April and then dances its way around the country, culminating at Aberdeen’s P&J Live on 30 May.

Directed by Strictly’s Creative Director of Choreography Jason Gilkison , the tour will feature an exciting line-up of 10 magnificent dancers and Strictly TV favourites: Australian Open Champion and 2018 finalist Dianne Buswell ; two-time Ballroom and Latin World Champion Nadiya Bychkova ; Italian Latin Champion Graziano Di Prima ; Professional World Mambo Champion and 2020 Strictly finalist Karen Hauer ; 2017 Strictly Champion Katya Jones ; undefeated four-time British National Champion Neil Jones ; current South African Latin Champion Cameron Lombard ; 2017 & 2020 Strictly finalist Gorka Marquez ; four-time Italian Dance Championship winner Luba Mushtuk and 2021 Strictly finalist Kai Widdrington .

Jason Gilkison said:

“We are delighted to announce this incredible line-up of Strictly dancers for this year’s official Strictly Professionals tour. These much loved pros are set to dazzle audiences across the country this spring, with two hours of the finest choreography and dancing. Watching them perform at such an incredible standard is an experience not to be missed.”

Audiences nationwide will enjoy the inspiring talent of the multi award-winning world-class dancers as they perform stunningly choreographed Ballroom and Latin routines in exquisite costumes, with all the glitz, glamour, sequins and sparkle of the smash hit BBC One TV show – live on stage!

Don’t miss this unique opportunity to see this spectacular dance extravaganza as Strictly Come Dancing – The Professionals struts to a The Lowry, Salford for a Strictly limited engagement!

Latest Posts

The spellbinding life of pi returns to the lowry this summer due to popular demand.

Fri 7 June 2024

IMAGES AND TRAILER RELEASED OF ANNA LEDWISH’S LAVISH NEW PRODUCTION OF CORAM BOY THAT COMES TO SALFORD DIRECT FROM CHICHESTER FESTIVAL THEATRE THIS SUMMER

Thu 6 June 2024

Cast of hit play 2:22 A Ghost Story mark arrival in Salford with visit to one of the region’s most haunted buildings, Ordsall Hall

Wed 5 June 2024

The Lowry announces a four-week run of the National Theatre’s smash-hit production Dear England by James Graham direct from a 10-week run at the National Theatre in London

Tue 4 June 2024

MULTI-AWARD-WINNING ‘SHOWSTOPPER! THE IMPROVISED MUSICAL’ AND ‘SHOWSTOPPERS’ KIDS SHOW’ IS COMING TO THE LOWRY ON 28TH & 29TH JUNE

Mon 3 June 2024

• February 2024
• January 2024
• December 2023
• November 2023
• October 2023
• September 2023
• August 2023
• February 2023
• January 2023
• December 2022
• November 2022
• October 2022
• September 2022
• August 2022
• February 2022
• January 2022
• December 2021
• November 2021
• October 2021
• September 2021
• February 2021
• January 2021
• December 2020
• November 2020
• October 2020
• September 2020
• August 2020
• February 2020
• January 2020
• December 2019
• November 2019
• October 2019
• September 2019
• August 2019
• February 2019
• January 2019
• December 2018
• November 2018
• October 2018
• September 2018
• August 2018

Strictly Come Dancing Announces Full Line-Up Of Returning Professionals For 2022

Entertainment Editor

Strictly Come Dancing has announced the full line-up of professionals who’ll be returning for this year’s series.

Back in February, it was confirmed that two-time champion Oti Mabuse was stepping down from the show , with Aljaž Škorjanec following suit earlier this week .

The show has now confirmed that the rest of last year’s team will all be back, including finalists Giovanni Pernice and Johannes Radebe .

Joining them will be Dianne Buswell , Nadiya Bychkova , Graziano Di Prima , Amy Dowden , Karen Hauer , Katya Jones , Neil Jones , Nikita Kuzmin , Gorka Marquez , Luba Mushtuk , Kai Widdrington and Nancy Xu .

Also returning will be Cameron Lombard and Jowita Przystal, who joined the show in 2021 but did not receive professional partners during the series.

The show’s executive producer Sarah James said: “We could not be more proud of the Strictly professional dancers and we are so happy to have so many returning for 2022.

“The world-class skill and extraordinary care they bring to everything they do, from working with their celebrity partners to choreographing and performing remarkable and unforgettable routines, never ceases to amaze us. They really are the best in the business and we can’t wait to see what they bring to the Strictly ballroom for our twentieth fabulous series.”

It’s also worth noting that Anton Du Beke is not on the list of professionals, after making a jump to the judging panel last year.

Anton is currently at the centre of speculation about whether Bruno Tonioli will reclaim his old seat at the judges’ desk in 2022, or if both stars will be offering their critiques this year.

Strictly’s Head Judge Shirley Ballas recently teased that there may also be some new additions to be announced later down the line, following the departures of Oti and Aljaž.

“There are a few people coming in now who are absolutely off the chart,” she told The Mirror . “Trust me, it will be amazing.

“I won’t say any names as they are all in the running. There are a few home grown talents, as they are trained and they represent this country. It would be nice to see.”

Strictly will return for its landmark 20th series in the autumn.

More In Entertainment

Strictly Come Dancing confirms pro line-up for 2022 series

Strictly Come Dancing have shared the official professional dancer line-up for this year's new series.

The nation’s favourite dancing competition, Strictly Come Dancing will be returning this Autumn to bring all of the much-needed glitz and glamour to our screens once again.

In more exciting news, Strictly Come Dancing 2022 have also announced the professional dancers that will be taking to the floor for the 20th series.

The professional dancers returning to the competition are: Dianne Buswell, Amy Dowden , Jowita Prystzal, Graziano Di Prima, Karen Hauer , Katya Jones, Neil Jones, Nikita Kuzmin , Gorka Marquez , Luba Mushtuk, Giovanni Pernice , Johannes Radebe, Kai Widdrington and Nancy Xu .

Newcomer Cameron Lombard will also be showing off his expert skills on the Strictly ballroom. The South African Latin Champion joined Strictly in 2021, performing in all of the show’s group numbers and across the series’ music acts, but he is yet to have a celebrity partner.

Welcome back our incredible #Strictly pros! We can’t wait to see what they bring to the ballroom in 2022. ✨ pic.twitter.com/VdoqrHo35f March 31, 2022

Sarah James, Executive Producer, said: “We could not be more proud of the Strictly professional dancers and we are so happy to have so many returning for 2022. The world-class skill and extraordinary care they bring to everything they do, from working with their celebrity partners to choreographing and performing remarkable and unforgettable routines, never ceases to amaze us. 

“They really are the best in the business and we can’t wait to see what they bring to the Strictly ballroom for our twentieth fabulous series.”

This news comes after professional dancer Aljaž Škorjanec decided to quit the show after nine years.

Get the What to Watch Newsletter

The latest updates, reviews and unmissable series to watch and more!

Aljaž shared the sad news on his Instagram account, accompanied by a touching message thanking everyone for his inspirational time on the show.

A post shared by Aljaž Škorjanec (@aljazskorjanec) A photo posted by on

Before his exit, professional dancer Oti Mabuse also decided to leave the show after seven years.

In a statement, the BBC said: "Oti has been a truly wonderful part of Strictly for the past seven years. Her energy, creativity and talent have contributed to so many of the show's most memorable moments and she will be hugely missed, not only by viewers, but the entire team.

"She leaves a dazzling legacy behind her, as the only professional dancer to lift the Glitterball Trophy in two consecutive years. We couldn't be prouder of Oti and what she's achieved."

Strictly Come Dancing 2022 returns this Autumn. Any further announcements and information regarding the latest series will be announced in due course.

Grace was a digital writer with WhatToWatch.com, and she now writes for our sister site TechRadar. She graduated from Anglia Ruskin University in 2020 with a degree in Writing and Film Studies, which only made her love for creative writing, film and TV grow stronger.

You'll usually find her watching the drama unfold in the latest reality series or much-loved UK soaps (usually with chocolate by her side!). She's an expert in EastEnders, Emmerdale, Coronation Street and everything reality-related from Selling Sunset and Married At First Sight UK to 90 Day Fiancé UK. Plus Netflix megahit Virgin River!

Grace also likes to explore new places with her friends and family and, of course, watch and read about the latest films and TV series. 

Strictly Come Dancing legend 'in talks' to appear on I'm A Celebrity 2024

EastEnders LEGEND to exit soap and join Strictly Come Dancing 2024?

Pat Sajak's final Wheel of Fortune episode airs tonight, June 7

Most Popular

• 2 How to watch England vs Australia in the T20 World Cup 2024 online or on TV
• 3 How to watch the 2024 MLB London Series online or on TV
• 4 I'm a fan of The Bold and the Beautiful and here's why I think John McCook deserves a Daytime Emmy Award
• 5 Geek Girl episode 3 recap: Could Harriet and Nick become more than just friends?

We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article.

Strictly 2022 reveals new look at pro dancer lineup ahead of launch

It's almost time!

The hugely popular BBC dancing competition is in the final stages of preparing for its launch of the new season , which airs later this month on September 17. Now, we have our first look at the full lineup of professional dancers.

Most of the faces will be familiar to regular viewers of the show, with the full list of returning dancers being: Dianne Buswell, Nadiya Bychkova, Graziano Di Prima, Amy Dowden, Karen Hauer, Katya Jones, Neil Jones, Nikita Kuzmin, Cameron Lombard, Gorka Marquez, Luba Mushtuk, Giovanni Pernice, Jowita Przystał, Johannes Radebe, Kai Widdrington, and Nancy Xu.

However, fan favourites Oti Mabuse and Aljaž Škorjanec will not be returning as they have officially left the show. There will be some exciting new dancers to this year's edition, though.

Latin dance champion Michelle Tsiakkas joins as a new dancer, while Italian dancer Vito Coppola joins as an 11-time Latin American champion. He previously starred on the Italian version of Strictly Come Dancing before switching over to the UK version.

Former Under-21 British National Champion Lauren Oakley also joins alongside Chinese National Champion Carlus Gu, who has been a world semi-finalist several times and was the runner-up Amateur Latin Rising Star at the 2017 UK Open.

The professionals will be dancing alongside a host of famous faces, as usual, with some of this year's celebrity contestants including singer Fleur East, TV presenter Helen Skelton, EastEnders actor James Bye, and Hollyoaks actor Will Mellor.

The other celebrities taking part this year are Molly Rainford, Kym Marsh, Kaye Adams, Richie Anderson, Jayde Adams, Ellie Simmonds, Tyler West, Matt Goss, Ellie Taylor, Tony Adams MBE, and Hamza Yassin.

They'll be hoping to impress the judging quadruple of Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Shirley Ballas and former Strictly Come Dancing professional dancer Anton Du Beke . Strictly Come Dancing mainstay Bruno Tonioli officially left the show earlier this year.

It remains to be seen who will be the favourite to win this year's edition, but last year's series 19 saw EastEnders actress Rose Ayling-Ellis win alongside professional dance partner Giovanni Pernice. Ayling-Ellis was the show's first-ever deaf contestant and winner .

Strictly Come Dancing airs on BBC One.

Interested in talking about Strictly Come Dancing ? Visit our dedicated sub-forum

Jojo: Finally Home by Johannes Radebe

Finding My Own Rhythm: My Story by Motsi Mabuse

Murder on the Dance Floor by Shirley Ballas

Strictly Come Dancing - Motsi & Anton's Strictly The Best [DVD] [2021]

Strictly Come Dancing: Shirley and Craig's Perfect 10 [DVD]

Strictly Come Dancing: The Board Game

Strictly Ola: My Story by Ola Jordan

Better Late Than Never: From Barrow Boy to Ballroom by Len Goodman

Reporter, Digital Spy

Jacob is a freelance writer who specialises in narrative TV and film. 

He graduated from the University of Roehampton with an MA in Journalism and has written for several publications since, including Gold Derby , Insider , and Screen Daily . 

Jacob has covered major events in the world of film and TV, including numerous BAFTA ceremonies and the Cannes Film Festival, while he's also been an awards expert for several publications, including Korea's Arirang . His particular areas of interest include Star Wars , the MCU, the Oscars, and Hugh Grant.

.css-15yqwdi:before{top:0;width:100%;height:0.25rem;content:'';position:absolute;background-image:linear-gradient(to right,#51B3E0,#51B3E0 2.5rem,#E5ADAE 2.5rem,#E5ADAE 5rem,#E5E54F 5rem,#E5E54F 7.5rem,black 7.5rem,black);} Strictly Come Dancing

Strictly’s Dianne Buswell debuts new hairstyle

BBC confirms Strictly star's show won't return

BBC gives statement amid Giovanni Strictly rumours

Strictly’s Kelvin Fletcher announces TV return

Strictly's Stacey gets adorable gift from daughter

Strictly's Ellie & Vito share sweet reunion photo

Strictly's Dianne shares exciting baby news

Ellie Leach reunites with Corrie co-stars

Strictly's Giovanni welcomes "little arrival"

Clara Amfo's new project after BBC Radio 1 exit

Strictly's Ellie Leach debuts hair transformation

Strictly Come Dancing 2024 rumoured line-up: 8 stars tipped to take part

From princess anne to nicola peltz, here's who could be heading to the dance floor.

It's that time of year again! The new series of Strictly Come Dancing might still be a few months away, but that hasn't stopped speculation building around which famous faces will be waltzing their way onto our screens when autumn rolls around. 

Last year, viewers watched as Coronation Street star Ellie Leach and her dance partner Vito Coppola lifted the coveted Glitterball Trophy . But who will it be this year? While the BBC has yet to release an official line-up, here's who's rumoured to be taking part in the upcoming show. 

Hannah Waddingham

Ted Lasso star Hannah Waddingham has reportedly been approached by show bosses ahead of the new series. 

The Game of Thrones star is in high demand in Hollywood and has a busy schedule, having recently starred in The Fall Guy with Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt. But could she make time for a stint on the BBC dancing programme? We'll have to wait and see…

Clive Myrie

Clive Myrie has been tipped to appear in the 2024 line-up after showing off his dancing skills in his BBC Two documentary programme, Clive Myrie's Caribbean Adventure . 

Sharing a clip showing the BBC News star learning some dancehall moves in Jamaica's capital, Kingston, Clive penned in the caption: " What do you say, @bbcstrictly? Are my moves up to par? "

Fans were full of encouragement for the journalist, with one person writing: "With those dancehall moves, only one place for you next - Strictly," while another added: "Is tonight's dancing a bit of practice before you get your name down for this year's Strictly?"

Clive previously said that he's been asked to appear on the dancing show a number of times, but feared that he wouldn't be taken seriously as a journalist after being "spun on the dancefloor" in "tight pants" and "funny shoes".

"I mean, a sequin top with nothing underneath? I have got tight pants on and funny shoes and I'm being spun on a dancefloor, would you take me seriously after that?" he told Express.co.uk . 

"I don't think the public... I don't know it just feels like it's maybe one step too far down the other road.'

Now that Roman Kemp has stepped down as the host of Capital Breakfast, he may have a bit more time for other projects. Could the star be cha cha cha-ing his way onto our screens in the new season? 

In an interview last year, the presenter revealed that he would "100 per cent" do the show if he was partnered with a male dancer. 

"I would never want to do Strictly because that show is about the talent. How great these dancers are, the emotion etcetera," he told Express.co.uk . "But I feel as of late it's become about who is sleeping with sleeping who. I don't really want that type of attention.

"That's why I always said if you can guarantee that I will be in a same-sex couple where we go in there and it's all about the dance, the talent, the fun and the friendship, then 100 per cent let's do it."

Nicola Peltz

Earlier this year, it was reported that Nicola Peltz was keen to boost her profile in the UK, with her team looking to Strictly as a potential career opportunity. 

The American actress is perhaps best known for roles in Bates Motel and Transformers: Age of Extinction – but she's also found fame in the UK as the other half of Brooklyn Beckham , the eldest son of Victoria and David Beckham . 

While we'll just have to wait and see if Nicola joins the show, we'd love to see Posh and Becks make an appearance in the studio audience!

Sophie Morgan

TV presenter Sophie Morgan has been tipped for a place on the show after her recent departure from ITV's Loose Women . Earlier this month, the 39-year-old announced that she had left the show after two and a half years to work on other projects. Could one of them be Strictly ? 

David Fishwick

Bank of Dave star David Fishwick has reportedly joined the 2024 line-up. According to The Sun , Dave has signed the dotted line after being approached by show bosses earlier this year. 

The businessman found fame after setting up a community bank offering loans to people in his hometown Burnley, with his story popularised in Netflix's 2023 biographical drama, Bank of Dave.

Shona McGarty

There's usually one or two soap stars thrown into the Strictly line-up and this year, it could be EastEnders star Shona McGarty. While the actress has reportedly been approached by show bosses before, now could be the perfect time now that she's left the long-running BBC soap. 

Princess Anne

While it's quite unlikely that we'll be seeing Princess Anne on the Strictly ballroom floor anytime soon, the royal is apparently keen to join the line-up!

Pro dancer Nadiya Bychkova recently revealed that the Princess Royal is a big fan of the show. " She is a Strictly fan and she wants to go on the show — she told me ," Nadiya told The Sun . 

Personally, we'd love to see the princess swap her regal dresses for some sequins and fake tan!

You may also like

Every strictly come dancing winner so far.

• 2004: Natisha Kaplinsky (partner Brendan Cole)
• 2004: Jill Halfpenny (partner Darren Bennett) 
• 2005: Darren Gough (partner Lilia Kopylova) 
• 2006: Mark Ramprakash (partner Karen Hardy) 
• 2007: Alesha Dixon (partner Matthew Cutler) 
• 2008: Tom Chambers (partner Camilla Dallerup) 
• 2009: Chris Hollins (partner Ola Jordan) 
• 2010: Kara Tointon (partner Artem Chigvintsev) 
• 2011: Harry Judd (partner Aliona Vilani)
• 2012: Louis Smith (partner Flavia Cacace)
• 2013: Abbey Clancy (partner Aljaž Škorjanec) 
• 2014: Caroline Flack (partner Pasha Kovalev) 
• 2015: Jay McGuiness (partner Aliona Vilani) 
• 2016: Ore Oduba (partner Joanne Clifton) 
• 2017: Joe McFadden (partner Katya Jones)
• 2018: Stacey Dooley (partner Kevin Clifton)
• 2019: Kelvin Fletcher (partner Oti Mabuse)
• 2020: Bill Bailey (partner Oti Mabuse) 
• 2021: Rose Ayling-Ellis (partner Giovanni Pernice) 
• 2022: Hamza Yassin (partner Jowita Przystał)
• Whats on TV
• Strictly Come Dancing

More TV and Film

Gallery Strictly Come Dancing's most dramatic moments as the show turns 20

Exclusive: Blue Lights star Siân Brooke talks motherhood, working with her husband and season 3

The Outlaws star Stephen Merchant talks show future and the possibility of series 4

Gallery 17 Strictly pros tipped to return for 2024: BBC investigation, controversy and more

The Outlaws star Stephen Merchant explains Christopher Walken's absence in series 3

Gallery 6 BBC presenters tipped to replace Huw Edwards as Mishal Husain sets the record straight

BBC weather presenter 'humiliated' after 'disgusting' flight treatment

BBC release first statement on Strictly investigation into Giovanni Pernice

Amanda abbington is a no-show during group dance for strictly come dancing final, what does the strictly come dancing 2023 winner get, strictly come dancing eliminates tenth contestant as judges disagree after 'tough' dance-off, strictly viewers ask 'what's going on' following annabel croft and johannes radebe's viennese waltz – here's why.

• SI SWIMSUIT
• SI SPORTSBOOK

How We Got Here: A Timeline of LIV Golf's Creation and How the PGA Tour Reacted

Bob harig | jun 6, 2024.

How did professional golf's split come to life? Here's a timeline compiled by Bob Harig, from the initial reports of a rival league in January 2020 until now, one year after a "framework agreement" was supposed to unify the sport.

2020: The rival circuit idea takes hold

2021: liv golf is born, early 2022: phil mickelson speaks, liv prepares, mid 2022: liv golf—with big names—tees off, early 2023: owgr, legal issues persist, summer 2023: the stunning agreement , late 2023: liv strengthens its lineup, 2024: pga tour lands an investor deal.

January:  Reports first surface about the potential for a rival golf league that has been meeting with players and agents behind the scenes and touting an 18-event circuit with just 48 players, 12 teams and guaranteed pay. Initial ideas saw $10 million purses with no cuts and a windfall for 12 team captains. The concept was called the  Premier Golf League .

Jan. 29:  Phil Mickelson  plays in the pro-am for the Saudi International, an event that is sanctioned by the European Tour. In his group is Majed Al-Sorour, CEO of the Saudi Golf Federation; Andy Gardiner, a director at Barclays Capital and a founder of the PGL; and Colin Neville of the Raine Group, also a backer of the PGL, which had Saudi Arabia backing as well through the Public Investment Fund.

Jan. 30:  Greg Norman, who once tried to spearhead a rival league with the backing of Fox Sports, sees viability in the PGL a day after the pro-am in Saudi Arabia. “It’s just a matter of getting all the right components together, whether players stay together," says Norman, whose World Golf League in 1993-94 was thwarted by the PGA Tour. “With my original concept, some players loved it, and others didn’t like it. I had corporate, I had television but you need 100% of the pie to be together before we can bake it. From what I’m seeing here, this one has every chance of getting off the ground."

Feb. 11:  Speaking at the Genesis Invitational,  Tiger Woods says he’s been approached about the PGL . “My team’s been aware of it and we’ve delved into the details of it and trying to figure it out just like everyone else. We’ve been down this road before with World Golf Championships and other events being started. There’s a lot of information that we’re still looking at and whether it’s reality or not, but just like everybody else, we’re looking into it."

Asked why he might even be interested, Woods said: “I think just like all events, you’re trying to get the top players to play more collectively. It’s one of the reasons why we instituted the World Golf Championships, because we were only getting (the top players) together five times a year, the four majors and the Players, and we wanted to showcase the top players on more than just those occasions. So this is a natural evolution, whether or not things like this are going to happen, but ideas like this are going to happen going forward, whether it’s now or any other time in the future."

Feb. 18:  A week later at the WGC-Mexico Championship,  Rory McIlroy  seemingly deals the PGL a serious blow: “The more I’ve thought about it, the more I don’t like it. The one thing as a professional golfer in my position that I value is the fact that I have autonomy and freedom over everything I do. I pick and choose—this is a perfect example. Some guys this week made the choice not to come to Mexico. If you go and play this other golf league, you’re not going to have that choice.

"I read a thing the other day where it said if you take the money they can tell you want to do. And I think that’s my thing, I’ve never been one for being told what to do, and I like to have that autonomy and freedom over my career, and I feel like I would give that up by going to play this other league. For me, I’m out. My position is I’m against it until there may come a day that I can’t be against it. If everyone else goes, I might not have a choice, but at this point, I don’t like what they’re proposing."

Spring/Summer:  Talk of the rival golf circuit dies down considerably amid the global Coronavirus pandemic. Talk shifts to when golf will resume and how it will take place amid a health crisis. The PGL idea goes into the background.

Fall:  The PGL approaches the European Tour, now the DP World Tour, with a proposal to merge or cooperate. CEO Keith Pelley turns down the PGL and instead forms a "strategic alliance" with the PGA Tour that will see some crossover events, the Tour take an ownership stake in European Tour productions, and effectively—at the time—hold off the outside threat.

May 4:  A report surfaces that a new Super Golf League has emerged and that it is either the new name for the PGL or something different. Phil Mickelson and Dustin Johnson are among those linked to it. Sometime during the spring and summer of 2021, the PGL sees some of its personnel switch allegiances to a new entity that will have full Saudi backing and will come to be known as LIV Golf.

Oct. 27:  At a private unveiling in New York, LIV Golf Investments is announced with Greg Norman as its CEO, with the idea of first helping to back golf in Asia with the $300 million investment in the Asian Tour, which will be used to finance a new elevated series of events called the International Series. It is eventually disclosed that Norman will also be the commissioner of a new tour called the LIV Golf League, with plans to launch in the spring of 2022.

Nov. 21:  PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan sends a memo to players outlining how 55% of the Tour’s revenue will be paid out to players in the form of prize money, bonuses and other benefits—believed to be in response to Phil Mickelson saying on a podcast that only 26% of revenue was going to the players.

Feb. 2:  While playing in the Saudi International for the third straight year, Phil Mickelson does an interview with  Golf Digest  in which he refers to the  PGA Tour’s "obnoxious greed"  as a reason why players might be interested in LIV Golf. He also maintains that the Tour is sitting on millions of dollars that should be going to the players. "It’s not public knowledge, all that goes on," Mickelson said. “But the players don’t have access to their own media. If the Tour wanted to end any threat, they could just hand back the media rights to the players. But they would rather throw $25 million here and $40 million there than give back the roughly $20 billion in digital assets they control. Or give up access to the $50-plus million they make every year on their own media channel."

Feb. 17:  Even Tiger Woods and the Genesis Invitational—where he is not playing—take a back seat to the drama that unfolds when Alan Shipnuck releases an excerpt from his soon-to-released  biography of Phil Mickelson  in which the golfer, among other things, says he is willing to use the Saudi-backed LIV Golf League as leverage against the PGA Tour and that he and other players paid attorneys to help LIV Golf develop its business plan.

Feb. 20:  With Phil Mickelson’s comments the talk of the tournament, players such as  Dustin Johnson and Bryson DeChambeau come out in support of the PGA Tour , viewed as a blow to LIV Golf. It is later learned that Mickelson’s comments and the subsequent back-tracking of several players who were interested in LIV set back the league’s plans and sent it into disarray.

Feb. 22:  In the wake of his comments,  Phil Mickelson offers an apology  and says he will step away from the game for a period of time and offers to pause relationships with sponsors. “I have always known that criticism would come with exploring anything new. I still chose to put myself at the forefront of this to inspire change, taking the hits publicly to do the work behind the scenes.”

Mickelson said that he offered the brands with which he was associated “the option to pause or end the relationship as I understand it might be necessary given the current circumstances.” KPMG and Amstel Light end their relationships with Mickelson, and a few days later, Callaway announces that it is pausing a relationship that dates to 2004.

March 8:  With Phil Mickelson missing—and, later it was learned, suspended—PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan addressed the media at the Players Championship. A typical state-of-the tour-type news conference  turned into questions about Mickelson and LIV Golf . "The PGA Tour is moving on," he said. "We have too much momentum and too much to accomplish to be consistently distracted by rumors of other golf leagues and their attempts to disrupt our players, our partners, and most importantly our fans from enjoying the Tour and the game we all love so much.

"I am grateful for the strong support our top players have shown recently and publicly, and I’m extremely proud that we’ve turned the conversation around to focus on what we do best: delivering world-class golf tournaments with the best players to the best fans, all while positively impacting the communities in which we play. We are and we always will be focused on legacy not leverage."

March 16:  Despite numerous setbacks, LIV Golf announces an eight-tournament schedule to begin in June. It won’t be the LIV Golf League, as planned, but the LIV Golf Invitational Series. Purses will be $20 million for the individual portion with $5 million more set aside for the teams. At the time, LIV Golf was unsure if it would be able to fill a 48-player field so it announced that the entire purse would be paid out regardless of the number of players who started. Total prize money for the eight events was set at $255 million, with $50 million set aside for a season-ending Team Championship.

May 10:  PGA Tour players and Korn Ferry Tour players interested in competing in the first LIV Golf event outside of London in June need to seek conflicting event and/or media releases but are denied. The Tour tells players it is not an authorized event. Greg Norman, the LIV Golf commissioner, pushes back. "Sadly, the PGA Tour seems intent on denying professional golfers their right to play golf, unless it’s exclusively in a PGA Tour tournament. This is particularly disappointing in light of the Tour’s non-profit status, where its mission is purportedly to promote the common interests of professional tournament golfers.

"Instead, the Tour is intent on perpetuating its illegal monopoly of what should be a free and open market. The Tour’s action is anti-golfer, anti-fan, and anti-competitive. But no matter what obstacles the PGA Tour puts in our way, we will not be stopped. We will continue to give players options that promote the great game of golf globally.”

May 31:  Dustin Johnson, a two-time major winner who has 24 PGA Tour titles, headlines  the field announced for the first LIV Golf event  to be played at The Centurion Club outside of London. Others listed are past major winners Sergio Garcia and Louis Oosthuizen, as well as Kevin Na, Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood.

June 6:   Phil Mickelson ends a four-month hiatus  in which he missed the  Masters  and defense of his  PGA Championship  title, emerging as LIV Golf’s latest signee who is set to compete later in the week at the first tournament. At a news conference prior to the tournament, Mickelson is asked several times about his past comments regarding Saudi Arabia, its human rights record and the death of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, believed by U.S. government officials to have been carried out by the Saudi regime.

“Well, certainly, I've made, said and done a lot of things that I regret, and I'm sorry for that and for the hurt that it's caused a lot of people. I don't—I don't condone human rights violations at all. Nobody here does, throughout the world. I'm certainly aware of what has happened with Jamal Khashoggi, and I think it's terrible. I've also seen the good that the game of golf has done throughout history, and I believe that LIV Golf is going to do a lot of good for the game as well. And I'm excited about this opportunity. That's why I'm here."

June 9:  Within minutes of the first tee shots being struck at the first LIV Golf event, PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan issues a memo in which  players who are participating are told they are being suspended .

June 11:  Charl Schwartzel, the 2011 Masters champion, wins the first LIV event, holding on for his first victory anywhere in nearly six years. The win was worth $4 million from the $20 million purse and because Schwartzel’s team, Stinger GC, won the team competition, he pocketed another $750,000 from the $3 million paid to the winners.

June 21:  Following other players who committed to play for LIV during or after the first LIV event, then-four-time major champion  Brooks Koepka is announced as the latest addition . He joins the likes of Bryson DeChambeau, Pat Perez, Patrick Reed and Abraham Ancer as those who were now set to play in LIV’s second event.

June 22:  During a news conference at the Travelers Championship, PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan outlines a plan that will see the PGA Tour return to a calendar-year schedule in 2024 while also increasing the purses substantially at eight events, including the legacy events for Tiger Woods, Arnold Palmer and  Jack Nicklaus . The FedEx Cup season is also changed to see smaller fields at the first two playoff events.

Aug. 2:  Eleven LIV golfers sue the PGA Tour to challenge suspensions and claim a restraint of trade. Phil Mickelson and Bryson DeChambeau are among those named in the suit. Three other players—Talor Gooch, Hudson Swafford and Matt Jones—seek a temporary restraining order so they can play in the FedEx Cup playoffs. (The restraining order is denied on the eve of the FedEx Cup playoffs.)

Aug. 16:  Tiger Woods flies to Delaware and heads a players-only meeting at the BMW Championship along with Rory McIlroy where details are hashed out that will lead to substantial purse increases and benefits for players. It would later commonly be referred to as  "the Delaware Meeting."

Aug. 24:  On the back of the Delaware meeting, PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan announces a hastily-devised plan that will see eight tournaments in 2023 with boosted purses. First called designated events, these tournaments would have $20 million purses except for the Sentry, which will be $15 million. For several of the events, the result means more than doubling the purse. For the legacy events, it means adding $8 million per event. And the first two playoff events will also have $20 million purses.

Aug. 30:  Just more than a month after his victory at St. Andrews,  British Open  champion  Cam Smith becomes the latest player to join LIV Golf , doing so in time for its event in Boston. Smith is joined by Joaquin Niemann, who attended the Delaware meeting, along with Marc Leishman, Harold Varner III, Anirban Lahiri and Cameron Tringale. At the time, it gave LIV Golf six of the top 30 players in the Official World Golf Ranking.

Oct 5:  LIV Golf announces a strategic alliance with the MENA Tour, a developmental tour that has had Official World Golf Ranking accreditation since 2016. LIV Golf incorporates its events into the MENA Tour schedule and says it believes it should be granted OWGR immediately due to the association.  The move is scoffed at as an end-around to try and obtain points  and the OWGR does not grant points to LIV Golf.

Oct. 29:  Martin Slumbers, the CEO of the R&A, makes it clear that the British Open is not going to ban LIV golfers who are otherwise eligible for the 2023 championship. "We are not going to abandon 150 years of history have the Open not be open," Slumbers said.

Oct. 30:  LIV Golf completes its first season with Dustin Johnson’s 4Aces team winning the team championship in Miami. The four team members share a $16 million payday.

Nov. 15:  At the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai, Rory McIlroy says it is time for golf’s warring factions to figure something out. But  he says it needs to happen without LIV Golf commissioner Greg Norman . “Greg needs to go. He needs to exit stage left. He’s made his mark but I think now is the right time to say you’ve got this thing off the ground but no one’s going to talk unless there’s an adult in the room that actually try to mend fences."

Nov. 29:  At his Hero World Challenge event in the Bahamas, Tiger Woods also says that Greg Norman needs to go. Woods had been planning to play for the first time since the British Open but withdrew due to plantar fasciitis. “I think (Greg Norman) has to go, first of all, and then obviously the litigation against us and then our countersuit against them. Those would then have to be at a stay as well, then we can talk, we can all talk freely. Right now as it is, not right now, not with their leadership, not with Greg there and his animosity towards the tour itself. I don’t see that happening. But why would you change anything if you’ve got a lawsuit against you? They sued us first."

Dec. 16:  Only a year into the job, the  Chief Operating Officer for LIV Golf leaves his position . Atul Khosla was hired by LIV Golf in December 2021 from the  Tampa Bay Buccaneers  NFL team, where he held the title of chief corporate development and brand officer. Khosla was also chief operating officer for the Chicago Fire soccer club in the MLS and also worked for General Electric and NBC Sports. In his role at LIV Golf, he reported to CEO and commissioner Greg Norman. His role was taken over by executives of the Performance 54 agency and not filled for nearly a year.

Dec. 20:  Augusta National makes clear it will be  inviting those eligible for the Masters to participate . “Regrettably, recent actions have divided men’s professional golf by diminishing the virtues of the game and the meaningful legacies of those who built it," Masters chairman Fred Ridley said in a statement. “Although we are disappointed in these developments, our focus is to honor the tradition of bringing together a preeminent field of golfers this coming April.”

Jan. 19:  LIV Golf announces it has a  long-awaited television partner  after its events were available only via streaming in the first year. The CW Network—the C is for CBS, the W for Warner Media—enters into a multi-year agreement to televise LIV Golf tournaments. The deal will not see LIV Golf get paid a traditional rights fee but that is "mutually financially beneficial." It is believed that LIV will share advertising revenue with the CW and will also likely be expected to shoulder a good bit of promotional work.

Jan. 24:  Jay Monahan and Keith Pelley recuse themselves from reviewing LIV Golf’s application for Official World Golf Ranking points. Monahan, the commissioner of the PGA Tour, and Pelley, the CEO of the DP World Tour, are two of the seven members of the OWGR board of directors that ultimately decides the fate of tours seeking accreditation. Keith Waters, who heads up the International Federation of PGA Tours and is the DP World Tour’s chief operating officer, also recused himself from the application.

“I have not looked at the LIV application," Pelley says during a session with reporters in Dubai. “So I can’t give an opinion on an application I have not seen. It is in the hands of the technical committee. On the advice of legal counsel, myself and Jay recused ourselves from the separate committee. Representatives of the four majors will now determine the LIV application. We are not involved and we have no influence on what transpires as far as LIV goes."

April 5:  The DP World Tour wins an arbitration case against LIV Golf players who were seeking to play the former European Tour. The arbitration panel rules that the DP World Tour had the right to fine and suspend players for violating its membership regulations in order to compete in LIV Golf events. Lee Westwood, Ian Poulter and 10 other players had brought the action in response to fines levied for not being granted permission to compete in LIV Golf events. A separate antitrust case between LIV Golf and the PGA Tour is still scheduled for 2024.

May 4:  Amid its investigation of former President Donald Trump’s handling of classified documents, the Department of Justice looks specifically at his dealings with LIV Golf, according to the  New York Times . Two of Trump’s courses hosted events in 2022 with three scheduled to do so in 2023.

June 6:  The golf world is stunned to learn that secret negotiations have been taking place and resulted in a  "framework agreement" between the PGA Tour, DP World Tour and Public Investment Fund . Initially said to be a "merger," it is later reframed as an agreement that would see the entities have an alliance. The biggest part of the news is that all of the lawsuits have been dropped. The idea is to have a final deal by Dec. 31, 2023.

As more details emerge, it is learned that PGA Tour Policy Board members Jimmy Dunne and Ed Herlihy secretly met with Yasir Al-Rumayyan, the governor of the PIF, for several weeks prior to the announcement. PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan also had clandestine meetings with Al-Rumayyan. On the day of the announcement, they appeared together on CNBC.

June 7:  While surprised that everything came together so quickly, Rory McIlroy says that the PGA Tour’s partnership with the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia will ultimately be good for the game of golf. Speaking after his pro-am round at the RBC Canadian Open,  McIlroy learned of the agreement shortly before the rest of the world  but said much of it has been mischaracterized and that it should not be viewed as a merger with LIV Golf.

“LIV has nothing to do with this. It’s the PGA Tour, the DP World Tour and the Public Investment Fund that are basically partnering to create a new company. That’s where I was a little frustrated. All I’ve wanted to do was protect the future of the PGA Tour and protect the aspirational nature of what the PGA Tour stands for. I think this does this. If you look at the structure, this new company sits above everything else. (PGA Tour commissioner) Jay (Monahan) on top of that. Technically, anyone involved with LIV would answer to Jay. The one thing whether you like it or not, the PIF were going to keep spending money in golf. At least the PGA Tour controls how that money is spent. You’re dealing with one of the biggest sovereign wealth funds in the world. Would you rather fight against or have them as a partner?"

June 7:  Although not involved in the negotiations, LIV Golf CEO and commissioner  Greg Norman has a positive message for the staff . Norman, who was not mentioned in any of the news releases associated with the agreement, tells more than 100 people on a 30-minute call that LIV will see no operational changes and that work is already being done on a 2025 schedule. “The spigot is now wide open for commercial sponsorships, blue chip companies, TV networks. LIV is and will continue to be a standalone enterprise. Our business model will not change. We changed history and we’re not going anywhere."

June 14:  On the Tuesday of the  U.S. Open  week, PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan announces through the Tour a  health-related leave of absence  that will see Tour executives Ron Price and Tyler Dennis take over his duties.

July 7:  In a memo to players, PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan says he will return from his leave on July 14, which is the Monday of British Open week.

July 9:  Randall Stephenson, a longtime member of the PGA Tour and former head of AT&T,  sends a resignation letter to Monahan and the board  and specifically cites his displeasure with the framework agreement.

July 11:  Among wish-list ideas proposed by the LIV Golf League in the time leading up to the framework agreement was giving Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy LIV Golf League franchises and seeing them compete in LIV Golf events. It was just one of the ideas that discussed by the parties as part of documents released by a Senate subcommittee during a hearing in Washington, D.C., led by Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.). The PGA Tour rejected it as part of the negotiation.

The committee is concerned about the foreign involvement in an American sports league as well as possible antitrust violations. Some of the ideas include having a "World Golf Series" team event that would be played in Saudi Arabia; LIV operating as it is but being played in the fall or with the idea of LIV coexisting along with the PGA Tour; two of the PGA Tour’s designated events that would be branded by the PIF or the Saudi Arabia oil company, Aramco.

July 18:  Masters champion  Jon Rahm  says he has no trust issues with PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan—unlike several of his peers—and suggests time is needed. “As it comes to what he's been doing for us and the PGA Tour, I think he's done a fantastic job. I would say it was unexpected what happened. I think what the management of the PGA Tour, the turn they took without us knowing was very unexpected, but I still think he's been doing a great job. And right now after that happened, I only think it's fair to give them the right time to work things out. I still think they have the best interest of the players at heart."

Rahm, speaking before the British Open, also reiterates he is not interested in LIV Golf. “We all had the chance to go to LIV and take the money and we chose to stay at the PGA Tour for whatever reason we chose. As I've said before, I already make an amazing living doing what I do. I'm extremely thankful, and that all happened because of the platform the PGA Tour provided me. As far as I'm concerned they've done enough for me, and their focus should be on improving the PGA Tour and the game of golf for the future generations."

Aug. 1:   Tiger Woods is named to the PGA Tour Policy Board , giving the players a power boost as he becomes the sixth player director on the board. Part of the move includes a stipulation that will see a change in PGA Tour governance that means the player directors will have final say in any decisions going forward.

Aug. 8:  PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan speaks with reporters for the first time since his leave and after returning to work and takes responsibility for the way the negotiations for the “framework agreement" were secretly handled and the subsequent rollout. “It was ineffective and as a result there was a lot of misinformation. And anytime you have misinformation that can lead to mistrust. And that’s my responsibility. That’s me and me alone. I take full accountability for that. I apologize for putting players on their back foot. But ultimately it was the right move for the PGA Tour. I firmly believe that as we go forward time will bear that out. It was the right move and obviously we’re now in a position with NewCo (PGA Tour Enterprises) that provides the opportunity to have productive conversations."

Oct. 19:  On the eve of LIV Golf’s final event of 2023, CEO and commissioner Greg Norman speaks with reporters publicly for the first time since the agreement was announced and says  he has "zero" concern about the future of the league , regardless of what happens with the “framework agreement."

“All indications are showing that the position of LIV has never been stronger and that the success of our players and our brand has never been in a better place. And as we look forward into 2024, we’ve got a full schedule. We’ve got some places we’ve been to before, but we’ve got some new venues as well and we’re reaching different regions."

Nov. 28:  Tiger Woods speaks publicly for the first time since the framework agreement was announced and he joined the Policy Board, touching a variety of subjects including outside Public Equity Investment in the PGA Tour, the Public Investment Fund and LIV Golf.  He calls the ongoing negotiations "murky"  and says "I would have to say there's a lot of moving parts on how we're going to play. Whether it's here on the PGA Tour or it's merging, or team golf. There's a lot of different aspects that are being thrown out there all at once and we are trying to figure all that out and what is the best solution for all parties and best solution for all the players that are involved.’’

He says during the week and again two weeks later at the PNC Championship that he is focused on a deal getting done or some resolution by the Dec. 31 deadline.

Dec. 7:  After weeks of speculation,  Jon Rahm is announced as the newest member of LIV Golf . The two-time major champion, who on numerous occasions had expressed his disinterest in LIV due to the format, among other things, makes it official in New York where he said the lucrative offer was difficult to ignore and he had come to terms with the format. He also said his decision had nothing to do with any animosity or issues wit the PGA Tour.

I am proud to join @livgolf_league and be part of something new that is bringing growth to the sport. I have no doubt that this is a great opportunity for me and my family and am very excited for the future. pic.twitter.com/myf4isJgJ3 — Jon Rahm Rodriguez (@JonRahmOfficial) December 7, 2023

“I’m forever grateful to the PGA Tour and the platform they allowed me to be on. I have nothing bad to say about them. They allowed me the opportunity to play in some great events and allowed me to make a mark."

Dec. 31:  The agreement deadline comes and goes but the PGA Tour says  there is "meaningful progress" and that negotiations will continue  into 2024.

Jan. 31:  The PGA Tour  announces the formation of PGA Tour Enterprises  in a partnership with Strategic Sports Group, a group of investors from a number of professional sports. The deal, worth $3 billion, is said to allow nearly 200 PGA Tour players access to $1.5 billion in equity over time. The deal states that it allows for co-investment from the PIF in the future.

March 12:  Speaking with reporters for the first time since August, PGA Tour commissioner  Jay Monahan said negotiations with the PIF are “accelerating”  and that he and PGA Tour Policy Board members met with Yasir Al-Rumayyan in January, but did not offer specifics.

May 9: Rory McIlroy reveals that he is part of a subcommittee including Tiger Woods and commissioner Jay Monahan that is tasked with working directly on a deal with the PIF.  The seven-man committee also includes Adam Scott, player liaison Joe Ogilvie, Joe Gorder, a board member from Valero Energy, and John Henry from Strategic Sports Group.

May 13: Jimmy Dunne, one of the architects of the June 6, 2023, agreement, resigns from the PGA Tour Policy Board . In a letter to the board, he wrote that “no meaningful progress has been made towards a transaction with PIF,” and that ever since players seized control of the board and cut him out of negotiations, “my vote and my role is utterly superfluous.”

Bob Harig is a golf writer for SI.com and the author of the book "DRIVE: The Lasting Legacy of Tiger Woods," which publishes in March and can be ordered here. 

Follow si_golf

NEWS... BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW IT

Male celebrity ‘complains about Strictly’s Giovanni Pernice’ after several women consider legal action

Share this with

A male celebrity has ‘joined the group of female stars’ who have complained about Strictly Come Dancing ’s Giovanni Pernice .

Last month it was reported that the BBC was launching an investigation into the professional dancer, 33, after accusations made about his behaviour by former contestants.

It followed reports that his former partners , believed to be Amanda Abbington , Laura Whitmore , and Ranvir Singh met to ‘compare notes’ about their experiences with him on the show.

Now a male star is said to have also ‘been in touch with the lawyers’ acting for the complainants.

‘After three women came forward, a man has now joined their ranks,’ a source has said.

Join Metro's Strictly community on WhatsApp

Want to be the first to get all the latest news and rumours from the Strictly dancefloor?

Join our Strictly Come Dancing WhatsApp channel to keep up to date with all the behind-the-scenes gossip about your favourite pros, judges and celebrities.

Simply   click on this link , select ‘Join Chat’ and you’re in! Don't forget to turn on notifications so you can see when we've just dropped the latest spoilers. Keep dancing!

‘He personally reached out to the women at the heart of this unfolding crisis, offering them his support and full backing.

‘He has also been in touch with Carter Ruck and told them what he knows and shared his experiences. These experiences were, at times, very tricky,’ they added when speaking to The Sun .

Giovanni, has defended himself on social media, saying he ‘rejects any suggestion of abusive or threatening behaviour, and I look forward to clearing my name’ and is said to have instructed lawyers to fight the claims.

His future on the show has yet to be confirmed, though recent reports suggested he has departed from the series and would not be returning later this year.

Claims over his conduct on Strictly first emerged when there were rumours of a behind-the-scenes feud between him and Sherlock actress Amanda, after she quit the show last year after five weeks and was later said to be seeking legal advice.

Last week the BBC also appeared to address the ongoing speculation following reports it had also launched an internal investigation.

‘It is a longstanding position that the BBC does not comment on specific matters related to individuals,’ its statement began.

‘Nor ordinarily, would we comment on whether we are reviewing any individual complaints.

‘Recently, we have seen a number of media reports about a high-profile show. We would urge people not to indulge in speculation. Anyone involved in a complaint has a right to confidentiality and fair process.’

The spokesperson continued to Metro.co.uk: ‘If a complaint is made to the BBC, we assess and take any necessary steps to establish the facts, whether there is a case to answer, and, if appropriate, what action should be taken.

‘This is all within the context of the BBC having duties of care to everyone linked to a complaint – that applies to those that have raised the complaint and to those that have been complained about.

‘Whilst we know our shows have been positive experiences for many of those who have taken part, we will always look at any issues raised with care, fairness and sensitivity to everyone concerned. We will not be commenting further.’

Metro.co.uk has contacted Carter Ruck and representatives for Giovanni Pernice for comment.

Hot Property Picks from Metro

Commuter town with ‘beautiful countryside’ and cheap rent named most affordable

You can buy a house for £2.50 in this 'beautiful' village surrounded by wineries

Woman who bought a €1 home in Italy reveals how she transformed it

This £4.25m London townhouse was once the last stop for 200,000 dead bodies

I live in a queer community where we garden naked and have cute Sunday traditions

Strictly Come Dancing is expected to return to the BBC later this year.

Got a story?

If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us [email protected], calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.

MORE : Strictly star risks major wardrobe malfunction with minuscule Speedo made with two bandanas

MORE : TV legend tipped for Strictly 2024 after quitting role of 50 years

MORE : Strictly Come Dancing star ‘devastated’ after explicit photos ‘leak’ online

Get us in your feed

• Across The Sheets
• OFFICIAL STORE

Brett Young

• Facebook Facebook logo
• Instagram Instagram logo
• Spotify Spotify logo
• Apple Music Apple Music logo
• Amazon Music Amazon Music logo
• YouTube YouTube logo