Strictly Come Dancing has announced it is lining up two new professional dancers, but before anyone gets too excited about the 2025 series, all is not as it seems.
This Red Nose Day, the hit dance show shines the spotlight on two surprising new dancers in a hilarious sketch for Comic Relief. Starring Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, the sketch follows the journey of Melissa (Rachel Parris) and Johnny (Russell Kane).
They are the two unlikely newcomers who take on the challenge of joining the Strictly professional lineup due to new inclusivity rules, which require a certain percentage of professionals to be... amateurs!
Filmed in an observational documentary style, the sketch tracks their surprising audition process as Melissa and Johnny land the job as Strictly’s first-ever amateur professional dancers.
But in a sad twist of fate, both their celebrity partners mysteriously pull out of the next series at the last minute, citing identical farcical injuries. Always quick on their feet, Tess and Claudia, always quick on their feet, hatch a clever plan.
Rachel Parris said: "I am over the moon to be involved with Comic Relief this year. Strictly Come Dancing and Red Nose Day are two cultural icons so Russell and I knew that we had to bring our most iconic dance moves to the table.
"I think you will agree that they will go down in history, one way or another. Comic Relief remains a brilliant cause and I’m honoured to be a very small, but very glittery part of it."
Russell Kane commented: "After physio, red light therapy, sports massage, heat rub, and an acupuncture mat session - I’m really looking forward to my spine taking part in Strictly for Red Nose Day."
Strictly host Tess Daly also shared: "It’s always such a joy to be involved with Comic Relief’s brilliant work and we had such a giggle filming this sketch. Rachel and Russell wanted to bring the drama to the dancefloor and watching their ‘Strictly journey’ unfold had us all in stitches."
Strictly professional dancer Johannes Radebe said of the upcoming sketch: "I had a Strictly fabulous time filming this sketch for Red Nose Day. Rachel and Russell get a 10 from me for effort darlings!"
Fellow pro Karen Hauer added: "Rachel and Russell brought bags of energy to the rehearsal room and I was genuinely wowed by their enthusiasm and... talent! They certainly showed us Strictly pros a thing or two."
Money raised this Red Nose Day could help put food on plates and roofs over heads, keep little ones safe and help support families affected by conflict here in the UK and around the world.
