I'm a Strictly fan - here's who I think will replace Graziano Di Prima after two pros axed

Strictly Come Dancing fans have feared about the future of the beloved show after recent scandals threatened to ruin the show's legacy. The hugely popular dancing competition will mark its 20th anniversary when it returns to screens in September.

The BBC have plans to make the show more fun and less competitive say's the Beeb's director general Tim Davie, who confirmed the next series show will go ahead this autumn.

Giovanni Pernice was accused of unacceptable behaviour during training by his former celebrity partner, Amanda Abbington. The professional dancer has vehemently denied the allegations. He has since been dropped from the show.

The scandals have not stopped there as it was later announced Graziano di Prima had stepped down from his role on the show following allegations he had kicked his dance partner Zara McDermott.

Only seven male pro dancers remain, including Aljaz Skorjanec, who returned to the show after a two year hiatus, as well as Carlos Gu, Gorka Marquez, Johannes Radebe, Kai Widdrington, Neil Jones, Nikita Kuzim, and Vito Coppola. There are 10 female dancers in comparison, including Amy Dowden, who has returned to the dancefloor following her cancer treatment.

I have been a Strictly superfan for over a decade and like many viewers have enjoyed the show's glamour, memorable dance routines and pure escapism. In my childhood, I initially found the show to be something only older audiences would enjoy opting to tune out. But something switched and I began to appreciate everything about Strictly. We get to witness the on-screen chemistry between dancers, to the laugh-out-loud routines from some of the nation's favourite celebrities.

While the show has been marred by scandal in recent weeks with the departure of two high-profile names here are a few suggestions I think could replace Graziano.

Pasha Kovalev

I was honestly gutted when Strictly favourite Pasha Kovalev announced he would be leaving the show after eight years.

The Russian-born pro said at the time of his exit in 2019 that he wanted “to find a new challenge”. The performer has since gone on to welcome a family with his wife Rachel Riley and the couple share two daughters.

The now 44 year old enjoyed a successful run while on the programme when he joined the show for its ninth series in 2011, and finished as runner-up with celebrity partner Chelsee Healey.

The following year he was partnered with his now-wife Rachel. He also made it as a runner-up in the tenth series alongside Girls Aloud's Kimberley Walsh and finally got to lift the glitter ball trophy with presenter Caroline Flack, when they won series 12. In his last year on the show, he was partnered with former Pussycat Doll Ashley Roberts and they made it to the final.

I believe he would be a great choice and he is still very much a part of the Strictly family as he recently teamed up with show legends Brendan Cole, James Jordan, Vincent Simone and Ian Waite for the Legends of the Dancefloor UK tour.

While the dancers plan to tour this autumn, like his pal Aljaz, who has returned to Strictly, it would be great to see a familiar legend make a return to our screens - even if it's just for this year's 20th anniversary.

Neil Jones

Need I say more?

The Strictly pro has been a regular on the programme since 2016 and has performed several showstopping routines.

While the dancer continued to work as a choreographer behind the scenes he has only had two celebrity partners – Alex Scott, and Nina Wadia.

Neil admitted he "loves having a partner" but also "loves not having a partner" but I think this is the perfect chance to give the fan favourite another shot on the dancefloor.

AJ Pritchard

AJ Pritchard decided to call time on the show and step out of his ballroom shoes back in 2020.

The pro dancer's time on Strictly was short-lived having stayed on the programme for four years but he decided to take up other opportunities elsewhere.

The 29 year old became a fan favourite with viewers and I'm sure audiences would love to see him back on screen for the new series.

He would be a great fit and knows the ropes, and if all else fails, they could always recruit his younger brother and Love Island star Curtis Pritchard, who is also a professional dancer.

Strictly Come Dancing returns to BBC One in the autumn