Strictly Come Dancing stars, including those who have left the show ahead of the 2026 series, reunited in Italy over the weekend for the wedding of dancer and choreographer Arduino Bertoncello.
Reunion in Bassano del Grappa
The professional dancers gathered in Bassano del Grappa, a city in northern Italy’s Veneto region, to celebrate Bertoncello’s marriage to Alberto Faccio. Among the attendees were Karen Hauer, Gorka Marquez, Luba Mushtuk, Jowita Przystal, Lauren Oakley and Aljaz Skorjanec, all part of the Strictly family.
Karen Hauer shared photos on Instagram, captioning them: "The best day celebrating LOVE. A special day with special people. Congratulations @arduinobertoncello & @alberto.faccio." Gorka Marquez commented: "Melted with love," while Lauren Oakley added: "Love love love love."
Changes Ahead for Strictly 2026
The reunion comes as Strictly prepares for significant changes in its upcoming series, set to return in September 2026. New hosts Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe will take over after Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman left at the end of the 2025 series.
The professional line-up also sees several departures. Gorka Marquez, Michelle Tsiakkas, Karen Hauer, Nadiya Bychkova and Luba Mushtuk have left the show. Returning professionals include Dianne Buswell, Alexis Warr, Amy Dowden, Aljaz Skorjanec, Jowita Przystal, Julian Caillon, Kai Widdrington, Lauren Oakley, Nancy Xu, Neil Jones, Nikita Kuzmin, Vito Coppola and Carlos Gu, who won the 2025 series with former England footballer Karen Carney.
The BBC has confirmed new professionals will be recruited and announced closer to the show’s return in autumn.
Fans React to Wedding Photos
Fans responded warmly to Karen’s wedding photos. @kazcar55 said: "Beautiful wedding, wonderful photos & you all looked fabulous. Gorgeous dress Karen." @jane.berry.56 wrote: "All these photos are beautiful. You all look amazing as does the venue and setting." @k.wojciechowska123 replied: "Glorious photos, Karen you look amazing and so happy with your loved ones." @lizzy.strictly added: "Faves! You guys look amazing!!"
The wedding highlights the strong bonds among Strictly stars, even as many move on from the show. Karen was joined by her partner Simon Davidson, and Lauren by her husband Maximiliano Omar Montes de Oca.
