Strictly Come Dancing 2014 *with spoilers*

[Perdita]

Artem Chigvintsev and James Jordan will not be returning for the new series of Strictly Come Dancing.

Former champion and 2013 finalist Chigvintsev has decided to stay in America, after featuring on the most recent season of Dancing with the Stars.

Meanwhile, Jordan has decided to leave after eight series on the show. His wife Ola is confirmed to return.

Strictly also confirmed that - in a first for the programme - two siblings will be participating, with the addition of Joanne Clifton.

Clifton, a World Professional Ballroom Show Dance Champion, joins her brother Kevin on the show. Kevin was an eventual finalist last year with Susanna Reid.

Also joining the professional lineup is Tristan MacManus, who previously appeared on Dancing with the Stars and has danced with Gladys Knight and Pamela Anderson.

Eight female and seven male professional dancers will feature in the 2014 series, with Natalie Lowe returning after withdrawing last year due to a back injury.

Anya Garnis will not be back to partner a celebrity, but will instead remain part of the choreography team.

The list of professional dancers in full:

Females: 
Aliona Vilani, 
Iveta Lukosiute, 
Janette Manrara, 
Joanne Clifton, 
Karen Hauer, 
Kristina Rihanoff, 
Natalie Lowe
 and Ola Jordan.


Males: 
Aljaž Skorjanec, 
Anton du Beke, 
Brendan Cole, 
Kevin Clifton, 
Pasha Kovalev, 
Robin Windsor and 
Tristan MacManus.

[Tuareet]

Gutted James Jordan won't be in it this year.

[tammyy2j]

How is Anton and Brendan still there?

[Perdita]

EastEnders actor Jake Wood has become the latest celebrity to sign up for this year's Strictly Come Dancing.

The actor, who has played notorious womaniser Max Branning in the BBC soap for eight years, is the eighth contestant to be announced for this year's competition.

Jake Wood for Strictly Come Dancing
© BBC

He joins the likes of Frankie Bridge, Judy Murray, Alison Hammond, Simon Webbe, Mark Wright and Casualty star Sunetra Sarker.

Wood, who is married with two children, said that he was doing the show for all of the dads out there.

"I'm really relishing the prospect of hitting the Strictly dance floor this year," he said.

"I'm doing it for all the dads out there and you never know, there's always a chance of being the first Walford resident to take home the Glitterball. Bring it on!"

Max is currently heavily involved in the Lucy Beale murder investigation storyline.

Previous high-profile storylines include his affair with his son Bradley's girlfriend and his marital struggles with wife Tanya.

[Perdita]

Mark Wright, Sunetra Sarker (Zoe in Casualty) Simon Webbe, Thom Evans and Judy Murray have so far confirmed that they are taking part.

[lizann]

is mark's girlfriend from corrie michelle also confirmed?

[Perdita]

is mark's girlfriend from corrie michelle also confirmed?

I have not seen her name yet

[Perdita]

is mark's girlfriend from corrie michelle also confirmed?

I have not seen her name yet

[lizann]

I have not seen her name yet

they are usually tied together everywhere

[lizann]

I have not seen her name yet

they are usually tied together everywhere