Proshchal'nyy Privet, Pashpot!

Professional dancer Pasha Kovalev has announced that he will not be returning to Strictly this year, after eight years on the show.

He announced the news on Twitter:

pic.twitter.com/Wj6bMfMVPv

— Pasha Kovalev (@PashaKovalev) February 13, 2019

Having been a champion with Caroline Flack, he probably feels that he has nothing else to achieve, and can move on from the show without leaving behind any unfinished business.

Pasha is definitely one of the most professional dancers, rarely speaking about his personal life (he has been with former Strictly partner Rachel Riley since 2014), and rarely seen in the tabloids. His focus has always been making his celebrity partner look good, and has been a gentleman with all his partners of varying abilities.

Farewell, Pashpot. We'll miss you and your Russian spy polo neck sweaters.

Will Gorka Leave His Hat On?

Strictly pro, and father-to-be, Gorka Marquez will potentially be baring all for The All New Monty 2019: Who Bares Wins.

Based loosely on The Full Monty, a group of celebrities will prepare to strip in front of an audience in order to raise awareness of testicular cancer, and encourage men to check themselves. The celebrities will be coached by Ashley Banjo and Alexander Armstrong, who himself has stripped in the past two programmes.

Alongside Gorka, ITV have announced that former Strictly participants Rav Wilding and Willie Thorne will also be a part of the line up.

No broadcast date has been set as yet.