The Italian pro dancer has been on RTÉ's Dancing With The Stars for two seasons, but now he reportedly joining the cast of Strictly Come Dancing with his girlfriend Michelle Tsiakkas
Simone Arena is set to join the Strictly Come Dancing cast later this year.
The Dancing With The Stars pro has been lined up to replace Giovanni Pernice on the BBC series after an incredible two years on the Irish show.
He will link up with his long-time girlfriend Michelle Tsiakkas, who joined the cast three years ago.
Simone joined Dancing With The Stars in 2024 and he made it to the final with RuPaul Drag Race star Blu Hydrangea. He was paired with Kin actress Yasmin Seky this year and they were the fourth couple to be eliminated from the show.
“Simone blew the Strictly bosses away when he auditioned as a new professional on the show," a source told The Sun.
“He is no stranger to the Strictly format after previously starring as a pro on the Belgian, Italian and Irish versions of the series.
“Simone is well known among the pros and his girlfriend Michelle loved her time on the series last year.
“Fans will be delighted with Simone because he is very easy on the eye and certainly charming.”
As well as his success on Dancing With The Stars here in Ireland, Simone won the Belgian instalment with Olympic gymnast Nina Derwael back in 2022.
His girlfriend Michelle joined the cast of Strictly Come Dancing the same year. She was partnered with her first celebrity partner last year, EastEnders star Jamie Borthwick, 30.
BBC recently confirmed the list of pro dancers who would be returning to the dancefloor for the next series.
Two time Dancing With The Stars finalist Kai Widdrington is on the extensive line up alongside Katya Jones, Jowita Pryzstal, Dianne Buswell, Nadiya Bychkova, Aljaž Škorjanec, Amy Dowden, Carlos Gu, Gorka Márquez, Karen Hauer, Lauren Oakley, Luba Mushtuk, Nancy Xu, Neil Jones, Nikita Kuzmin and Vito Coppola.
