'Strictly' replaces Jared Murillo with Pasha Kovalev

Strictly Come Dancing has revealed its professional dancer lineup for the 2011 series.

High School Musical star Jared Murillo, who danced with Tina O'Brien last year, has been axed from the show and replaced by Siberian Latin dancer Pasha Kovalev.

Last year's Strictly Dance Troupe, which included former Strictly favourites Darren Bennett and Ian Waite, has also been dropped.

31-year-old Kovalev finished in the Top 6 on the third US series of So You Think You Can Dance and has appeared in the Broadway production of Burn The Floor.

He performs all styles of ballroom including international standard, American smooth and rhythm but his speciality is international Latin.

Male pros Artem Chigvintsev, Brendan Cole, Anton Du Beke, James Jordan, Vincent Simone and Robin Windsor will all return later in the year.

The female pro lineup remains the same as last year with Erin Boag, Flavia Cacace, Ola Jordan, Natalie Lowe, Kristina Rihanoff, Aliona Vilani and Katya Virshilas all coming back for another series.

Strictly exec producer Moira Ross said: "I'm delighted to welcome back our Strictly professionals and really excited about introducing our new dancer Pasha to our audiences. We've some exciting treats in store for series nine."

Strictly Come Dancing will return in the autumn on BBC One.

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