Strictly Come Dancing fans work out who's paired with who as two favourites miss out

Strictly Come Dancing fans believe they have cracked this year's pairings as it has been reportedtwo favourite dancers have been benched.The hit BBC dance competition is just days away from returning as the stars get to work rehearsing.

A fresh set of 15 celebrities including Dani Dyer, Vicky Pattison, Ross King and Chris Robshaw are getting ready to strut their stuff on the iconic dancefloor. They will be coached and partnered with the Strictly professional dancers as they battle to take home the Glitterball trophy.

However, it has been reported dancers Luba Mushtuk and Nancy Xu are not getting a celebrity partner this year. It means they are out of competing on the main show and instead will perform in the group routines.

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A source said: "Luba and Nancy were gutted not to be in a celebrity pairing and competing on the show this year. They are, understandably, disappointed, but realise that not everyone is able to get a celebrity partner every year.

"Of course, the professional dancers are all expert athletes and want the best chance possible to win, it's in their nature, but they're grateful for the gig," the insider told The Sun On Sunday.

Now, fans have been trying to work out the pairings for this year's contest as rumours swirl. Taking to Reddit, one Strictly fan shared their own prediction, which got others talking.

They suggested Harry Aikines-Aryeetey will be paired with Jowita Przystal, Karen Carney with Vito Coppola, George Clarke with Alexis Warr, Lewis Cope with Lauren Oakley and Stefan Dennis with Dianne Buswell.

The fan continued to suggest Dani Dyer could be matched with Carlos Gu, Ellie Goldstein with Nikita Kuzmin, Jimmy Floyd Hasslebaink with Katya Jones, Alex Kingston with Neil Jones, Ross King with Amy Dowden, La Voix with Johannes Radebe, Vicky Pattison with Kai Widdrington, Chris Robshaw with Nadiya Bychkova, Thomas Skinner with Karen Hauer and Balvinder Sopal with Aljaz Skorjanec.

They predicted Julian Caillon, Gorka Marquez, Luba Mushtuk, Michlle Tsiakkas and Nancy Xu will be without a partner. Other fans reacted to the post as one said: "Lewis and Lauren would be dangerous. Need this for Lauren."

Another added: "Why would you do that to Karen. I am hoping for her with Harry!!" Someone else shared: "I wanna see: Harry and Luba, Lewis and Katya, Jimmy and Karen, La Voix and Kai, Vicky and Julian, Chris and Michelle, and Thomas and Lauren."

"I think Harry will get Nadiya, would be an awesome pairing," a fourth commented. Another wrote: "Katya with Jimmy or Ross is too boring because it looks like most of her previous partnerships."

One fan agreed with the initial poster, but added in a few changes. They predicted Alex Kingston will be with Aljaz Skorjanec, Ellie Goldstein with Nikita Kuzmin, Karen Carney with Vito Coppola, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink with Amy Dowden and Ross King with Katya Jones instead.

Last year, reported benched dancer Nancy was partnered with former X Factor winner Shayne Ward, while Luba was with DIY SOS star Nick Knowles.

The current series of Strictly got off to a rocky start with Game of Thrones actor Kristian Nairn quitting the show after just one week into rehearsals. He was swiftly replaced by Emmerdale actor Lewis Cope, who is now hot favourite to win.

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