Shirley Ballas Welcomes New Dancers to Strictly Come Dancing

Shirley Ballas, the head judge of Strictly Come Dancing, has shared an emotional welcome to new professional dancers Alexis Warr and Julian Caillon following their announcement to join the popular BBC dance competition later this year. The debut of the pair is highly anticipated as the show prepares to return to screens this autumn.

Ballas, who has served as the head judge since 2017, expressed her enthusiasm in a heartfelt Facebook post. She described both dancers as “extraordinary” and encouraged viewers to prepare for an exhilarating season. In her message, she stated, “I just got even more excited for @bbcstrictly… welcome to the family @alexis_warr & @julian_caillon.” She further urged fans to “fasten their seatbelts” for what she called “the season of all seasons.”

A New Era for Strictly Come Dancing

In her post, Ballas praised Warr and Caillon, saying, “Congratulations to both of you. Get ready for the journey of a lifetime. You are both already an absolute credit to our show. Talented, intelligent, and total superstars in your own right.” She highlighted her admiration for their talents, noting, “I’ve witnessed their dancing. From So You Think You Can Dance, to Dancing With The Stars, to the competition floor … they are extraordinary in all they do.”

Alexis Warr, originally from the United States, gained recognition as the winner of the 2022 season of So You Think You Can Dance and has performed as a guest dancer on Dancing with the Stars. Expressing her excitement about joining Strictly, Warr remarked, “I’ve admired Strictly for years, so joining this incredible family is such an honour. I can’t wait to step into the ballroom, pour my heart into every moment, and share my love of dance with the UK.”

Julian Caillon, hailing from Australia, brings extensive experience to the show, having participated as a professional dancer on three seasons of Australia’s version of Dancing with the Stars. He has also competed on the Australian iteration of So You Think You Can Dance and toured globally with the acclaimed dance show Burn The Floor. Caillon expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “Joining the cast of Strictly really is a dream come true. I’ve watched it for years, especially cheering on all the amazing dancers I know and work with who’ve been part of it. I can’t wait to get stuck in, have some fun, and be part of something special!”

Celebrity Cast and Judging Panel Yet to be Announced

Warr and Caillon will be joining a star-studded lineup of professional dancers, which includes well-known names like Dianne Buswell, Nadiya Bychkova, and Amy Dowden. As of now, the celebrity cast for this year’s series has not been announced. The judging panel will once again feature Shirley Ballas alongside Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, and Anton Du Beke. The hosting duo of Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman will also return to guide viewers through the competition.

As anticipation builds for the new season, fans of Strictly Come Dancing are eager to see how the addition of Warr and Caillon will enhance the competition, promising a vibrant mix of talent and entertainment for audiences around the world.