Updated 7th March 2024
Strictly Come Dancing Professional Dancer 2023
Birmingham’s Lauren Oakley joined the Strictly family back in 2022.
In 2023 Lauren was partnered with Channel 4 News anchor Krishnan Guru-Murthy
Lauren Oakley latest news – On the 8th Dec 2023 Pro dancer Lauren achieved a coveted Guinness World Records certificate on the set of BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two. Lauren broke the world record for the most pendulum dance steps danced in 30 seconds – with a total of 15 pendulum steps and no disqualified moves. Over 15 Strictly Pros went head-to-head during the annual Pro Challenge aiming to take home the official Guinness World Records title. Congratulations Lauren.
In 2023 Lauren toured with Strictly champion Giovanni Pernice and Strictly Judge Anton Du Beke as their leading lady. In March, June & July 2023 Lauren appeared at Donaheys Dancing With The Stars Weekends.
Lauren is former Burn The Floor dance captain and world touring dancer, touring South Africa, Australia, China, Europe, North America and Japan during her time at Burn The Floor.
In 2022 Lauren didn’t have a celebrity partner, however we saw her performing in all the Pro group numbers.
Learn all about Lauren May Oakley’s amazing dancing career, view photos & videos plus read all their latest news below
Who better to teach you to dance than Lauren Oakley & dance partner Giovanni Pernice. Not only can you learn to dance with the professionals but you can hear all the Strictly back stage gossip, plus of course see them perform their breathtaking Ballroom showcase for you up close and personal.
Spend the weekend with your favourite stars of Strictly Come Dancing at the fabulous Alton Towers Resort Hotel & Spa.
Join Reigning Strictly Champion Jowita Przystal, Nikita Kuzmin, BAFTA Award Winner Giovanni Pernice, Lauren Oakley, Aljaz Skorjanec, Janette Manrara, British Dance Champion Finalists David Cockram & Rosie Ward, Argentine Tango Instructors Letita & Andres plus The Tony Greenwood 15-piece Big Band.
Lauren Oakley is from Birmingham, England
32 years old (born 2nd March 1991)
Channel 4 News anchor Krishnan Guru-Murthy
Krishnan Guru-Murthy is a journalist, broadcaster and the main anchor of Channel 4 News, as well as reporting for the foreign affairs series Unreported World and hosting live debates for Channel 4 during elections, referendums and major events. He won the Royal Television Society Journalism Award for best Network Presenter in 2022.
Since joining the Channel 4 News team in 1998 he has covered major events from the Omagh bombing to the 911 attacks and from the Arab Spring to the Ukraine War. He also commentates on live events for Channel 4 such as the Paralympics Ceremonies, and presents programmes outside the news including the first live televised Autopsy. He also presents the Channel 4 News podcast Ways to Change the World.
He started his TV career at the BBC presenting youth programmes before moving onto Newsround, Newsnight, BBC World and News 24.
On joining Strictly, Krishnan said: “I’m surprised, delighted and slightly confused to find myself taking part in Strictly on the basis of ‘you only live once!’ and I can’t wait to start learning to dance, but I am slightly worried about my general decrepitude. I know I’m going to love it and have a brilliant time and just hope I’m not the only one enjoying my participation.”
Lauren and Krishnan danced a ‘Red Hot’ Paso Doble to the Red Hot Chili Peppers in week 4 – wow did the judges love it! Lauren and Krishnan brought a little Boom Shack-A-Lak to the dance floor with their Party Cha Cha Cha in week 1. Craig loved the personality and Shirley saw great potential with Krishnan’s natural rhythm and coordination.
We said goodbye to Lauren and Krishnan as they danced their last dance in week 8. Their Samba to Bamboleo wasn’t quite enough to earn them a place at Blackpool. We’ve loved watching this couple grow through the series, what an amazing job Lauren did with Krishnan – well done!
Lauren is married to husband Maximiliano Omar Montes de Oca.
Lauren got engaged to boyfriend Maximiliano in August 2018.
A year later Lauren married husband Maximiliano in 2019.
Lauren started dancing at just 2 years old and began competing soon after. Early successes include becoming Juvenile Champion at the prestigious Blackpool Dance Festival, winning across both Ballroom and Latin disciplines.
Lauren was crowned Under 21 British National Champion before exploring a career on stage.
Lauren joined the Strictly family back in 2022, although has danced on the show previously.
On joining the hit BBC show, Lauren said: “I’ve grown up watching Strictly, always hoping that one day I could be part of the best show on television, doing what I love the most. Now that it’s happening, it doesn’t seem real. I can’t wait to start this new sequined adventure and join this incredible family.”
2023 is Lauren’s first series with a celebrity and we wish her all the luck!
Find out who has won BBC Strictly Come Dancing with our full list of past Strictly winners from 2004 here – Strictly Winners
Find out more about Lauren’s dancing profile on her official BBC Strictly Come Dancing profile page.
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
Donahey’s Dance Lessons & UK Weekend Breaks are not associated with the BBC.
Learn more about all your favourite Strictly Pro’s here;
– Aljaz Skorjanec
– Amy Dowden
– Dianne Buswell
– Giovanni Pernice
– Gorka Marquez
– Graziano di Prima
– Janette Manrara
– Johannes Radebe
– Jowita Przystal
– Kai Widdrington
– Karen Hauer
– Katya Jones
– Luba Mushtuk
– Nadiya Bychkova
– Nancy Xu
– Neil Jones
– Nikita Kuzmin
– Jowita Przystal
– Lauren Oakley
– Oti Mabuse
Learn more about all the Strictly Judges here;
– Anton du Beke
– Shirley Ballas
– Motsi Mabuse
– Craig Revel Horwood