Ian Waite & Natalie Lowe formed an amazing partnership when Natalie became one of the Strictly Come Dancing professional dancers in the seventh series.
Natalie Lowe – Strictly Come Dancing Finalist 2009
This exceptionally talented couple have become a massive hit with their involvement in all the professional group dances and superb solo numbers, dancing alongside such megastars as Dame Shirley Bassey.
Ian Waite latest news – A huge congratulations to Ian on lifting the 2024 Dancing With The Stars glitterball trophy in Australia
In 2023 Ian & Natalie announced they were chosen to be professional dancers on Australia’s Dancing With The Stars
Ian Waite is a superb Latin American professional dancer and choreographer who has been involved with Strictly Come Dancing in some way or another since series 2. Whether it’s competing for 6 series, behind the scenes choreographing, dancing with Dame Darcey Bussell in the 2012 launch show when she joined as a new judge or waving his Strictly wand on ‘It Takes Two’.
Ian Waite – Strictly Come Dancing Finalist 2005
A lot has happened during Ian’s six years on Strictly including forming an amazing partnership with former Strictly professional dancer, Natalie Lowe, when she joined in series 7. Over the years they have performed in many of the Group Dances, choreographed superb solo numbers and danced alongside icons such as Dame Shirley Bassey.
Learn all about Natalie & Ian’s glittering dancing career, view photos & videos plus catch up on all their latest news below
5* Weekend Breaks with the Stars of TV
Who better to teach you to dance than professional dancer Ian Waite from Strictly Come Dancing? You can meet the stars, learn their steps and be captivated as they perform spectacular shows just for you.
📆 Friday 17th – Sunday 19th April 2026
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Ian Waite & Natalie Lowe chat about Donahey’s 5* Weekend Breaks
Natalie Lowe & Ian Waite’s reviews of Donahey’s 4* Weekend Breaks
‘Donahey’s events are always the BEST! We really look forward to Donahey’s dance weekends; they’re so well organised, great venues and a fabulous audience. Thank you so much Paul.’
Google Reviews of Donahey’s Weekend Breaks
Natalie Lowe
‘Congratulations to the Donahey’s for finding the most amazing venue. How brilliant is Alton Towers – a diamond in the country. We love working with the Donahey’s – you always know you’ll get such a professionally run event’ Ian Waite
Natalie Lowe Facts – Age, Dance Partners, Relationships, Awards, Tours
Height 5′ 10″
Age 44 (Born 15 August 1980)
Married to James Knibbs
Natalie Lowe is a professional ballroom dancer, choreographer, TV personality and star of four series’ of Strictly Come Dancing. She is also a four-time Australian Dance Champion.
In 2004, Natalie auditioned for the Australian version of Strictly Come Dancing and became one of the first female professional ballroom dancers to be a part of the highest rating entertainment show in the history of Australian Television, of which she ultimately became Dancing With The Stars Champion 2006.
Natalie’s 2016 Strictly celebrity partner was Olympic long jumper Greg Rutherford. Greg triumphed at the London 2012 Olympics, winning Gold. Greg represented Team GB in Rio over summer, achieving Bronze medal. Together Natalie & Greg were a fab partnership in 2016
Natalie’s first year performing on Strictly Come Dancing saw her partnered with Hollyoaks actor Ricky Whittle. They reached the final, narrowly missing out to Ola Jordan and Chris Hollins. Natalie felt this was a great result for her first year on Strictly Come Dancing back in 2009.
Natalie has reached four finals and two semi finals during her time on Strictly Come Dancing and Dancing With The Stars. In 2010 Natalie was partnered with EastEnders’ heartthrob Scott Maslen, in 2011 Audley Harrison and in 2012 Natalie partnered former England Cricket Captain Michael Vaughn. Due to injury Natalie was out of the 2013 series, however we’re delighted Natalie returned to Strictly for the 2014 series.
In 2015 Natalie partnered Celebrity chef Ainsley Harriott all the way to week 5. Celebrity chef Ainsley has presented on many of our favourite TV cooking shows including; Can’t Cook Won’t Cook, Ainsley’s Barbeque Bible, Ainsley’s Meals in Minutes, Good Morning and of course Ready Steady Cook.
Together, Ian, Natalie & Mark Foster created a fabulous dance fitness exercise company FitSteps.
In 2020 Natalie relocated to Sydney, Australia.
Is Natalie in a relationship?
Natalie is married to husband James Knibbs.
Natalie married husband James in 2018.
James is a Company Director, the couple met on a train to Leeds in 2013.
Learn more about Natalie’s dancing profile on her official BBC Strictly Come Dancing profile page.
Ian Waite Facts – Age, Dance Partners, Relationships, Awards, Tours
Height 1.88m
Ian Waite is the superb Latin American professional dancer and choreographer who has been involved with Strictly Come Dancing from Series two.
Ian started winning dance competitions at a very early age, from the European Youth Latin American Champion to numerous international championships representing England. After turning professional in 1997, Ian and his partner; Latin American World Champion, Inga Haas, became runners up in the British Professional Rising Stars.
Furthering his career in Holland, he trained with the world renowned choreographer and dance coach; Ruud Vermay and went on to win the Dutch Championships with his partner; Natalia Panina. This couple also made the final of both the World Showdance Championship and the European Professional Latin American Championship, proving his professional career really had blossomed and developed.
Moving back to the UK in 2004, Ian started to dance with Camilla Dallerup and the couple became part of Strictly Come Dancing. Ian has been a key part of Strictly Come Dancing since series two, twice reaching the final with Denise Lewis and Zoë Ball and now devoting his Strictly time to choreography of the Strictly Showdancers routines and his regular appearances on Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two.
Following Ian’s hugely successful 6 years on Strictly, Ian appeared for many years on BBC2 It Takes Two as one of the shows resident Dance Specialists ‘Waite’s Wednesday Warm-Up’.
Ian’s celebrity partners over his six series’ include Jade Johnson, Jodie Kidd, Penny Lancaster Stewart and Mica Paris. Ian is featured on weekly show It Takes Two and is involved in choreographing for the main series – to the delight of audiences Ian was seen dancing on the 2012 launch show with the then new Strictly Judge Darcey Bussell.
In 2023 Ian was invited to be a Professional Dancer on Dancing With The Stars Australia
Ian made it through to the semi-finals with celebrity partner Virginia Gay.
In 2024 Ian lifted the glitterball trophy with actress Lisa McCune of Blue Heelers
How old is Ian?
Age 53 (Born 29 January 1971)
Where is Ian from?
Reading, Berkshire
Is Ian in a relationship?
In July 2017 Ian married Drew Merriman.
They announced their seperation in Summer 2024.
What are Ian’s greatest dance achievements?
Ian started dancing competitively at a very young age and represented England in many international championships, before becoming the European Youth Latin American Champion. After turning professional in 1997, he came second in the British Professional Rising Stars event, along with professional partner, Inga Haas. On relocating to Holland, he received expert tuition from highly-regarded choreographer and coach, Ruud Vermy, and went on to win the Dutch Championships with professional partner, Natalia Panina. Not only that, they were also finalists in the World Showdance Championship and the European Professional Latin American Championship. Ian partnered up with Camilla Dallerup professionally when he returned to the UK in 2004 and the couple joined Strictly. The rest as they say is history.
Ian won Dancing With The Stars Australia 2024
Who is Ian’s professional dance partner?
Most recently Ian partners with Natalie Lowe. This seasoned professional has had many pro partners including, Inga Haas, Natalia Panina, Camilla Dallerup and Natalie Lowe who retired from Strictly in 2017.
What’s Ian’s favourite dance?
Ian loves the Jive and Foxtrot.
When did Ian join Strictly?
Haven’t you been paying attention? Ian’s been part of Strictly since series 2.
Who has Ian danced with on Strictly?
Denise Lewis, Zoe Ball, Mica Paris, Penny Lancaster Stewart, Jodie Kidd and Jade Johnson.
Has Ian ever won Strictly?
No, he was robbed! Ian only ever reached the final, but he got there twice; Once with Denise Lewis and then with his ‘It Takes Two’ partner, Zoe Ball, in 2005.
In 2024 Ian did win Dancing With The stars Australia
Has Ian ever had a wardrobe malfunction on Strictly?
Not as such, but he has donned some fabulous Halloween costumes for his ‘Waite’s Wednesday Warm Up’ slot on ‘It Takes Two’ over the years. Our favourite being the giant pumpkin suit he wore in 2013.
BBC Strictly Come Dancing
Find out more information about the BBC TV programme Strictly Come Dancing
by checking out the BBC Strictly Come Dancing website
www.bbc.co.uk/strictlycomedancing
Checkout Ian Waite’s official website
www.ian-waite.com
Find out about the 2024 ‘Legends Of The Dance Floor’ tour starring Brendan Cole, James Jordan, Pasha Kovalev, Vincent Simone and Ian Waite here
www.legendsofthedancefloor.com
Donahey’s Dance Lessons & 4* UK Weekend Breaks are not associated with the BBC.
Meet all the Strictly Come Dancing Professional Dancers
Learn more about all your favourite Strictly Pro’s here
– Aljaz Skorjanec
– Alexis Warr
– Amy Dowden MBE
– Carlos Gu
– Dianne Buswell
– Giovanni Pernice
– Gorka Marquez
– Johannes Radebe
– Jowita Przystal
– Julian Caillon
– Kai Widdrington
– Karen Hauer
– Katya Jones
– Lauren Oakley
– Luba Mushtuk
– Michelle Tsiakkas
– Nadiya Bychkova
– Nancy Xu
– Neil Jones
– Nikita Kuzmin
– Vito Coppola
– Oti Mabuse
Meet the Strictly Come Dancing Presenters
Learn more about Strictly presenters Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman
Meet all the Strictly Come Dancing Judges
Learn more about all the Strictly Judges here;
– Anton du Beke
– Shirley Ballas
– Motsi Mabuse
– Craig Revel Horwood
