STRICTLY star Carlos Gu has opened up on not receiving a celebrity partner in the latest series.
The Chinese dancer and choreographer first joined the BBC show in 2022.
Strictly’s Carlos Gu has opened up about not having a partner for the 2024 series[/caption]
In the star’s debut year, he partnered actress and singer Molly Rainford[/caption]
The pair ultimately reached the final of that series[/caption]
While Carlos has returned for the 2024 series, he is not partnering a celebrity this time around.
In previous series, he paired with EastEnders‘ Molly Rainford and TV presenter Angela Scanlon.
Speaking to Aimee Fuller on her Monday Mile podcast, Carlos discussed the benefits of not getting a celeb partner.
He said: “I’m still a part of the shows. I’m still doing the music act. I’m still doing some of the group numbers.
“If you are not in the competition, you have more free time, I think I’m just using my time wisely.
“We’re going to go husband hunting, you know, we’re going to improve our skills and learning.”
He added: “When the season starts, when you’re busy, your mind is literally on fire and twirling.
“You never really have the opportunity to really relax.
“I think I really need that this year. I think this is a good opportunity for me to be doing that, because through that I can learn something about myself that I didn’t know before.”
Meanwhile, the dancer told former Team GB winter Olympian Aimee how he doesn’t feel snubbed with the decision being “not necessarily personal”.
Carlos said: “Sometimes the decision is made [and it’s] not necessarily personal. It’s just because of the different perspectives, the different teams.
“Because we all want the show to look great. We all want this company, this production to look good.
“So, nothing is really personal. I think as long as you start to understand that, some of the decisions aren’t personal to you.”
The star’s first year on Strictly saw him and Molly Rainford reach the final.
Strictly 2024 pairings
Here’s who is matched with who this series…
Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell
Jamie Borthwick and Michelle Tsiakkas
JB Gill and Amy Dowden MBE
Montell Douglas and Johannes Radebe
Nick Knowles and Luba Mushtuk
Paul Merson and Karen Hauer
Pete Wicks and Jowita Przystał
Punam Krishan and Gorka Márquez
Tasha Ghouri and Aljaž Škorjanec
Tom Dean MBE and Nadiya Bychkova
Toyah Willcox and Neil Jones
Sam Quek MBE and Nikita Kuzmin
Sarah Hadland and Vito Coppola
Shayne Ward and Nancy Xu
Wynne Evans and Katya Jones
They ultimately finished as runners-up behind Hamza Yassin and Jowita Przystal.
Meanwhile, last year Carlos and Angela Scanlon reached week 10 of the competition, finishing sixth overall.
Who will emerge victorious on Strictly 2024?
Strictly Come Dancing airs on BBC One and is available on iPlayer.
In 2023, Carlos partnered TV presenter Angela Scanlon[/caption]
