He set pulses racing when he joined the Strictly line-up last year but after just one smoking season, Gleb Savchenko has quit the series.
The professional dancer will not be competing for the glitterball trophy with a celebrity partner when the new series returns to BBC One in the autumn.
I thoroughly enjoyed taking part in the last series of Strictly Come Dancing & especially the way that the UK gave me such a warm welcome…
— GLEB SAVCHENKO (@Gleb_Savchenko) June 28, 2016
..but due to family commitments I won't be returning to the show for the next series you can catch me on @BBCOne on @MasterChefUK now though
— GLEB SAVCHENKO (@Gleb_Savchenko) June 28, 2016
Gleb is married to fellow dancer Elena Samodanova and has a young daughter.
He danced with Countryfile presenter Anita Rani in the 2015 series but the pair were knocked out in a dance-off by Katie Derham and her professional partner Anton du Beke before former The Wanted singer Jay McGuiness was eventually crowned the winner alongside his partner Aliona Vilani.
Gleb Savchenko and Anita Rani (Peter Byrne/PA)
The news of Gleb’s departure has devastated his legions of loyal fans.
@Gleb_Savchenko @ameliakanaris @samjeancobb first Brexit, then the football…and now this devastating news?! #canttakeanymore
— Jen Cobb (@jen_cobb) June 28, 2016
Just when I thought things couldn't get any worse @Gleb_Savchenko isn't returning to strictly
— Helen (@HelenRoot) June 28, 2016
sad to see @Gleb_Savchenko wont be returning this year i hope everything is ok with your family and i wish you the best of luck X
— All About Strictly (@Strictly2016) June 28, 2016
@Gleb_Savchenko ah no Gleb! You will be much missed – devastated to hear this! But we understand – thanks for everything! Always be a fan:-)
— Tim Stafford (@TimWolverine) June 28, 2016
Ah noooo! Found out my fave @bbcstrictly pro isn't returning @Gleb_Savchenko It wont feel the same without #GlebSpecial #Strictly
— Christopher Wood (@ChrisJW1987) June 28, 2016
What?!!! No @Gleb_Savchenko on the next season of #Strictly? 😭😭😭😭😭 #sadday
— Rachael (@raqqers) June 28, 2016
Absolutely gutted @Gleb_Savchenko won't be dancing in this years strictly😭
— Emily Fitton (@emilyfitton15) June 28, 2016
So gutted @Gleb_Savchenko is not on Strictly this year. Will miss your fabulous choreography. You and @itsanitarani were outstanding!
— Joanna McQuade (@JoMac39) June 28, 2016
Absolutely gutted about @Gleb_Savchenko you and your specials will always be remembered
— Oti Mabuse (@otlile_mabuse) June 28, 2016
Aliona and fellow professional dancers Ola Jordan and Kristina Rihanoff all announced at the end of the last series that they would not be returning to the show, which recently won a National Television Award and its first TV Bafta, while Tristan MacManus quit earlier this year.
They will be replaced by Katya Jones, a world champion, Ukrainian champion Oksana Platero and top Spanish dance professional Gorka Marquez, the BBC announced.
They will join returning dancers Du Beke, Brendan Cole, Kevin Clifton, Pasha Kovalev, Aljaz Skorjanec, Giovanni Pernice, Karen Clifton, Natalie Lowe, Joanne Clifton, Janette Manrara and Oti Mabuse.
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