Lauren Oakley Latest Celebrity News & Gossip

Strictly Come Dancing has announced the professional dancers, judges and presenters for the upcoming 2023 series - with a slew of fan favourites returning.The hit BBC One dance show is due to return this Autumn for its impressive and highly-anticipated 21st series. For the upcoming 2023 series, Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman will be back as presenters to oversee proceedings each weekend.

Giovanni Pernice is currently dating his Strictly Come Dancing co-star, Jowita Pryzstal, but there's another special lady in his life, with him being close friends with fellow co-star, Lauren Oakley.On Tuesday, the Birmingham-born star celebrated her birthday and her close friend, and occasional dance partner, pulled out all the stops to pay a special tribute to her. On his Instagram Stories, Giovanni shared a short video that showcased their friendship as they giggled while he drew a moustache on her in a marker pen.Watch the video below to see the pair's close bond as they dance together.WATCH: Giovanni Pernice and Lauren Oakley dance together in training clipHe then shared a photo of her standing next to a painting of a man who sported similar facial hair to what Giovanni had drawn.In a heartfelt caption, he shared: "Happy bday to one of the most beautiful and talented soul[s] I know!! You are an absolute star and thank [you] for sharing your incredible talent with me on stage every day!"DISCOVER: Giovanni Pernice reveals Valentine – but it's not what you think!He then sweetly added: "I love ya!" alongside a star and heart emoji.

Strictly Come Dancing star Jayde Adams shared an uplifting post about herself and fellow competitor Helen Skelton after they were saved from the public vote.MORE: Strictly's Jayde Adams inundated with support after sharing final picture with late sisterTaking to Instagram on Monday, the comedian revealed that the pair headed out for a roast dinner following a gruelling week.WATCH: Strictly's Jayde Adams in tears as she remembers late sister"Two strong confident independent women, eating roast dinners after a big weekend. @helenskelton," she remarked in the caption alongside a snap of the two friends.READ: Strictly's Matt Goss explains why he broke down in tears after exit with Nadiya BychkovaMORE: Helen Skelton makes rare comment about the pressures of being a working single motherHelen quickly added heart-eyes emojis to the post, with Strictly dancer Lauren Oakley writing: "Love you both!!" One fan penned: "Oh my goodness you both deserved it!." Another follower stated: "Hey, you two look after each other, please.

Strictly Come Dancing's Kym Marsh was photographed with her daughter after earning her highest score in the competition so far on Saturday night.The Coronation Street actress performed a stunning Charleston to If My Friends Could See Me Now from the movie Sweet Charity, starring Shirley MacLaine and Sammy Davis Jr. Kym, 46, who is also a former member of Hear'Say, earned herself an impressive 33 points from judges Anton Du Beke, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Shirley Ballas.

Gemma Atkinson has shared her reaction to Gorka Marquez's brand new Strictly Come Dancing partnership as the 2022 competition launched. The hit BBC One dance contest returned to screens on Friday night (September 23) and fans saw the 15 celebrity contestants discover which of the professional partners they will be training and performing with during their time on the show.

The wait was finally over and the latest series of Strictly Come Dancing finally burst back onto our screens. The brand new 20th series of the BBC dance contest launched on Friday night (September 23) bringing glitter, glamour and glorious dancing to homes across the nation once more.

Not only is there a new set of celebrities taking to the ballroom this year, there are also four new professional dancers who will be putting on their expert dancing shoes when Strictly Come Dancing returns.

Professional dancer Karen Hauer looked sensational as she showed off her new hair in a photoshoot with one of Strictly Come Dancing's newest professional dancers.

Strictly Come Dancing's four new professionals are set to be introduced to viewers in a cinematic routine filmed alongside the returning cast. European cup winner Vito Coppola, Chinese national champion Carlos Gu, former Under-21 British national champion Lauren Oakley and Latin dance champion Michelle Tsiakkas complete the show's largest-ever line-up of 20 pros this year.They join the returning Dianne Buswell, Nadiya Bychkova, Graziano Di Prima, Amy Dowden, Karen Hauer, Katya Jones, Neil Jones, Nikita Kuzmin, Cameron Lombard, Gorka Marquez, Luba Mushtuk, Giovanni Pernice, Jowita Przystal, Johannes Radebe, Kai Widdrington and Nancy Xu.The introductory routine will form part of the Strictly Come Dancing launch show airing on BBC One and iPlayer on 17 September.

Rose Ayling-Ellis is enjoying some time with her loved ones, having travelled back home to be with her family during the summer.MORE: Rose Ayling-Ellis unveils stunning look as Giovanni Pernice prepares to meet new Strictly partnerTaking to Instagram Stories on Thursday, the Strictly Come Dancing star - who made history on the BBC show last year – shared two adorable pictures with a puppy, and the actress looked utterly besotted!WATCH: Rose Ayling-Ellis supports Giovanni Pernice"Cutest dog ever," she remarked, later adding: "I can't get over him [heart eyes emoji]."MORE: Strictly's Giovanni Pernice pokes fun at Rose Ayling-Ellis in funny clipREAD: Giovanni Pernice's deep connection and protectiveness over Rose Ayling-Ellis explainedThe heartwarming post comes as her dance partner Giovanni Pernice prepares to meet his new celebrity partner for the upcoming series of Strictly.The professional dancer has been sharing updates and a behind-the-scenes image from dance rehearsals with fellow pros - including newcomer Lauren Oakley. Rose and Giovanni have become hugely popular since being crowned winners of the 2021 series.

Strictly Come Dancing pro dancer Karen Hauer was seen leaving rehearsals ahead of the 2022 series, sporting a brand new hairstyle.The Venezuelan dancer, 40, usually sports a cropped pixie cut but was seen wearing her hair in longer curls as she left a gruelling dance rehearsal ahead of the BBC series show returning next month. Karen opted for a casual look, wearing her new hairstyle with gym shorts and a crop top, pairing her look with a large, red satchel bag and a pair of white trainers.

Strictly Come Dancing star Giovanni Pernice gave fans a rare insight into his dating life during an Instagram question and answers session.SEE: Rose Ayling-Ellis unveils stunning hair transformation as Giovanni Pernice prepares to meet new Strictly partnerTaking to the social media platform, the Sicilian-born dancer asked his fans to send in a variety of personal questions ahead of the new Strictly launch later this year. Eager to learn more about his romantic situation, one fan quizzed: "Who are you dating?"WATCH: Lauren Oakley and Giovanni Pernice dancing together ahead of StrictlyIn response to the deeply private question, Giovanni, 31, replied with a long list of people including Gorka Marquez, Kai Widdrington, and various members of the BBC production team.MORE: Exclusive: Giovanni Pernice on fitness, his BAFTA win, and learning BSL thanks to Rose Ayling-EllisREAD: Rose Ayling-Ellis hugs Giovanni Pernice so tight in new photo - but it's not what you think!Giovanni's hilarious response comes after the Strictly champ reportedly enjoyed a string of secret dates with Love Island contestant, Tasha Ghouri, one month after he lifted the glitterball trophy alongside Rose Ayling-Ellis.

Strictly star Giovanni Pernice has a close bond with all of his co-stars, but there's one he's particularly close with, and he showed this with a sweet kiss.SEE: Rose Ayling-Ellis unveils stunning hair transformation as Giovanni Pernice prepares to meet new Strictly partnerIn a video shared on her Instagram Stories new pro Lauren Oakley joked: "@giovannipernice is still following me around," as Giovanni appeared behind her and gave her a kiss on the cheek. The Italian national cheekily then reshared the clip on his own Stories where he added a string of heart emojis.

As the Strictly Come Dancing live tour has come to an end, Giovanni Pernice has set his sights on the next challenge of rehearsing for Burn The Floor. While he may have won the hit ITV dancing competition with EastEnders star Rose Ayling-Ellis, it seems he's moved onto the next project with dancer Lauren Oakley.Taking to her Instagram stories, Lauren shared a black and white clip of herself dancing into a sitting Giovanni, 31, over which she wrote: "& today... Not long to go!!" with a red heart emoji.