Ian Waite and Darren Bennett will return to Strictly Come Dancing as part of this series’ new professional dance group, and will be joined by four new recruits – one male and three female – who will be confirmed as the series draws nearer.

Matthew Cutler won’t return as a permanent member of the dance group. Instead, he’s concentrating on a burgeoning choreographic and teaching career, plus managing his own dance school, which he opened last year. He will, however, return to choreograph some of the group numbers – and a few guest appearances aren’t ruled out.

Matt said: “I’ve absolutely loved my time on Strictly, and now is a good time to focus on developing new areas of my career. I’m excited about having more time to commit to new projects and, of course, still having a hand in Strictly without all the training!”

Lilia Kopylova will also be bowing out of Strictly but, like Matt, will stay with the show on an ad hoc basis and may make a guest appearance.

Lilia said “I’ve had six brilliant series on the show, I will miss it, but I am looking forward to new opportunities ahead. Of course I will be there to support Darren and all of my fellow professionals.”

The professional dance group will perform spectacular routines throughout the show, in a series which is bigger, better and, more than ever, all about the dance.

View the original post Ian Waite and Darren Bennett return for Strictly Come Dancing 2010 on Unreality TV

Strictly Come Dancing professionals, Brendan Cole and Darren Bennett are reported to have had a row last night in a rehearsal for the first live show.

Brendan’s ex-fiance, Camilla Dallerup is said to have nipped to the loo prior to rehearsal and when she returned fellow dancer Darren Bennet yelled at her for keeping everybody late.

An insider told the Sunday Mirror: “Camilla was only a tiny bit late because she’d popped to the loo. Darren started shouting at her. He was being rude, saying she’d made everyone late. Camilla was really taken aback.

“Brendan was furious and told Darren, ‘I won’t have you talking to Camilla like that’.”

The row died down quickly thought with Darren backing down from further confrontation.

View the original post Strictly Come Dancing 2008: Brendan Cole Rows With Darren Bennett on Unreality TV