Vito Coppola has offered words of wisdom to his fellow Strictly Come Dancing professionals who have been dropped from the programme amid sweeping cast changes.
The 33-year-old Italian dancer, who claimed victory in 2023 alongside celebrity partner Ellie Leach, encouraged those departing not to dwell on the news.
“In the dancing world, there is this rule that I have personally learnt ‘never to be too happy or too sad when something happens,'” he told The Sun. “It just helps you to keep grounded and keep moving.”
The professional, who first appeared on the BBC show in 2022, also reflected on his deep attachment to the programme.
Vito Coppola won BBC Strictly alongside Ellie Leach in 2022
| BBC
“Strictly became my second family, Strictly is the reason I came to the UK,” he shared. “For me, it’s a special bubble.”
The cast shake-up has seen several long-standing professionals removed from the line-up ahead of the 24th series.
Karen Hauer, 43, who holds the record as the show’s longest-serving female professional, is among those departing.
Gorka Marquez, 35, Nadiya Bychkova, 36, Luba Mushtuk, 36, and Michelle Tsiakkas, 30, have also been let go as producers implement significant changes to the programme.
The departures come as part of what has been described as a brutal cull of the professional dancer roster.
Mr Coppola himself will be returning for the upcoming series, having secured his place among the continuing cast members.
He spoke of the close bonds formed between the professionals, comparing some colleagues to siblings while others he likened to “cousins, aunties”, adding: “I like to recreate my familiar environment.”
Mr Marquez confirmed his permanent exit from the programme last week, bringing an end to speculation about his future.
Vito Coppola talked about the close bonds formed between the professionals
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GETTY
The Spanish dancer announced his decision on Instagram, explaining that scheduling clashes between Strictly and Dancing With The Stars Spain had prompted him to step away.
“I’ve decided that now is the time to hang up my dance shoes and say goodbye to Strictly Come Dancing,” he wrote.
The 35-year-old expressed deep gratitude for his decade on the show, noting it had enabled him to “build a career from my passion, find love, start a family, and make lifelong friends”.
Despite leaving the main programme, Mr Marquez confirmed he would continue performing on the Strictly Pro Tour, which begins this week.
He signed off with hopes of one day joining the judging panel, writing: “Hopefully hold up a few paddles and give out some tens along the way.”
The BBC has confirmed which professionals will return for the upcoming series, with Dianne Buswell among them after competing last year while pregnant and welcoming son Bowden in March.
Amy Dowden is also set to make a comeback following her early elimination alongside Thomas Skinner in the previous run.
The returning roster includes Julian Caillon, Katya Jones, Neil Jones, Nikita Kuzmin, Jowita Przystał, Johannes Radebe, Aljaž Škorjanec, Alexis Warr, Kai Widdrington, Nancy Xu and Lauren Oakley.
Judges Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Anton Du Beke and head judge Shirley Ballas will all be back, with new professional dancers also joining the line-up.
However, with approximately four months until the 24th series launches, producers are still searching for replacements for departed hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, who announced their exit in October.