Strictly Come Dancing back on BBC Brit for season 19 featuring 3 professional South African dancers as well as first same-sex dancing couple.

by Thinus Ferreira

The 19th season of Strictly Come Dancing starts on BBC Brit (DStv 120) on Sunday 26 September at 19:00 with three South African dancers - Oti Mabuse, Johannes Radebe and Cameron Lombard - with the season also including the show's first same-sex dancing couple.

For the first time, three South African professional dancers are part of the glitter dancing format competition show.

The Pretoria born Oti Mabuse, who is the current Strictly Come Dancing title holder for 2019 and 2020; Johannes Radebe who was raised in Sasolburg and who has won numerous dance titles including two-time Professional South African Latin Champion and three-time South African Amateur Latin Champion; as well as the newcomer Cameron Lombard, are the three South African professional dancers viewers will see in this season.

Strictly Come Dancing is also making history with the first same-sex dancing couple. 

The Great British Bake Off winner John Whaite (32) is dancing with Johannes Radebe as his dancing partner.

Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman rare back as the co-hosts this season.

British celebrities participating in this year's competition range from the competitive swimmer Adam Peaty, to TV presenters AJ Odudu, Tilly Ramsey and Rhys Stephenson; journalist and presenter Dan Walker, as well as actors Greg Wise, Nina Wadia, Katie McGlynn and Eastenders regular Rose Ayling-Ellis.  

The celebrity baker John Whaite joins comedians Judi Love and Robert Webb as well as businesswoman, entrepreneur and TV personality Sara Davies, musician Tom Fletcher and sports pundit and former Rugby Union player Ugo Monye to make up the contenders for this season.

The "Queen of Latin" Shirley Ballas returns as head judge and joins the legendary judges Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke as they cast their eyes on the season 19 hopefuls and score them weekly on their performances.