HERE COME THE BOYS - 'WE DON'T HAVE PERSONAL LIVES DURING STRICTLY'

THE STRICTLY COME DANCING PROS EXCLUSIVELY TALK TO OK! ABOUT THEIR GRUELLING SCHEDULES AND THIS YEAR'S CELEBRITY LINE-UP

- LAUREN MORRIS

Strutting across our London studio in their sharpest suits to Kylie Minogue’s Padam Padam, Strictly Come Dancing stars Johannes Radebe, Carlos Gu and Kai Widdrington impress us as they’re coming up with new choreography on the spot.

Neil Jones has emerged from the dressing room after a quick outfit change, ready for the first group shot of the day, while Vito Coppola – looking suave in a double breasted jacket – cheers on his friends from behind the camera as they show off their moves.

The ballroom boys are back for another series of BBC’s Strictly and ready for the next few months of relentless rehearsals, dreaded dance-offs and fake tan top-ups. Still waiting to hear whether they’ll be paired with one of this year’s 15 celebrities, the five professionals are preparing for that big launch show.

Speaking to OK! in an exclusive interview ahead of the show’s 21st series, Johannes, 36, Carlos, 29, Kai, 28, Neil, 41, and Vito, 30, reveal their hopes for this year, their thoughts on the line-up and how they balance their home lives with the gruelling schedule...

How do you feel about this year?

Johannes: My excitement is coupled with a bit of nerves because you don’t know who you’re going to be paired up with. As for the pro dances, we’ve come up with world-class routines. It’ll be phenomenal.

Carlos: This is my second year and I feel like I’m more excited this time. Last year, I knew nothing about Strictly – I didn’t even know there was a dance-off. I’m still a newbie but now I know what’s going on.

How do you prepare?