Cristian Priori is a 34-year-old Italian professional dancer who joined Strictly Come Dancing as a new professional for series 24 in 2026, bringing one of the most distinguished competitive records of the new intake. A four-time Italian Latin Champion who spent eight consecutive years ranked among the world’s top 24 Latin dancers, Priori arrived on the BBC show alongside his competitive partner Aleksandra Isaeva, and he is one of the most experienced ballroom dancers to join Strictly in recent years.
| Full Name | Cristian Priori |
| Age (as of 2026) | 34 |
| Date of Birth | July 22, 1992 |
| Birthplace | Rome, Italy |
| Nationality | Italian |
| Occupation | Professional dancer |
| Known For | Strictly Come Dancing professional (series 24); four-time Italian Latin Champion |
| Strictly Come Dancing Partner (2026) | None at launch; professional troupe member for series 24 |
| Net Worth | Not publicly reported; no verified figure is published here |
Who Is Cristian Priori?
Cristian Priori is an Italian dancer who was announced in July 2026 as one of five new professionals joining Strictly Come Dancing for series 24, alongside Aleksandra Isaeva, Maddie Ingoldsby, Mark Karmalita and Lethabo Monametsi. He did not receive a celebrity partner at the launch of the series, joining the show’s professional troupe instead, and he is covered in our Strictly Come Dancing 2026 Cast hub.
Priori’s competitive record is exceptional. He is a Junior Italian 10-Dance Champion, a Rising Star Finalist at both the UK Open and the Dutch Open, a four-time Italian Latin Champion, and a Rising Star Latin Finalist at Blackpool and an Open World Semi-Finalist. For eight consecutive years he was ranked among the world’s top 24 Latin dancers, a level of sustained excellence that few Strictly professionals can match.
Early Life & Background
Cristian Priori was born on July 22, 1992, in Rome, Italy. He began dancing as a child in Italy, where he rose through the junior ranks to become Junior Italian 10-Dance Champion, a title that covers both Ballroom and Latin disciplines and marks out the most complete young dancers in the country.
His early career took him to the major international festivals in Britain and the Netherlands, where he reached Rising Star finals at the UK Open and the Dutch Open and the Rising Star Latin final at Blackpool. Those results established him as one of Italy’s leading Latin dancers and set up a senior career at the very top of the sport.
Career/Journey
Priori’s senior competitive career was defined by dominance in Italy and consistency on the world stage. He won the Italian Latin Championship four times, and for eight consecutive years he was ranked among the world’s top 24 Latin dancers, a remarkable run of sustained performance at the highest level. He also reached the Open World Semi-Final, placing him among the elite of the global Latin field.
In July 2026, Priori and his competitive partner Aleksandra Isaeva were announced as new Strictly Come Dancing professionals for series 24, joining fellow newcomers Maddie Ingoldsby, Mark Karmalita, Lethabo Monametsi, Julian Caillon, Neil Jones and Alexis Warr in the professional company. Although he began the series without a celebrity partner, his experience and technique make him a strong candidate for a partnership in future series.
Priori has said that joining Strictly was a dream come true and that he was grateful for the opportunity to perform on the BBC show. With four national titles and eight years in the world top 24 behind him, he brings a competitive pedigree to the Strictly ballroom that few professionals in the show’s history can equal.
Facts About Cristian Priori
- He was born in Rome, Italy, on July 22, 1992.
- He is a four-time Italian Latin Champion.
- He was ranked among the world’s top 24 Latin dancers for eight consecutive years.
- He was a Junior Italian 10-Dance Champion.
- He reached the Rising Star Latin final at Blackpool and the Open World Semi-Final.
How old is Cristian Priori?
Cristian Priori is 34 years old. He was born on July 22, 1992, in Rome, Italy.
Who is Cristian Priori’s Strictly Come Dancing partner in 2026?
Cristian Priori did not receive a celebrity partner at the launch of Strictly Come Dancing series 24 in 2026. He joined the show as a member of the professional troupe.
Where is Cristian Priori from?
Cristian Priori is from Rome, Italy.
What dance titles has Cristian Priori won?
Cristian Priori is a four-time Italian Latin Champion and a Junior Italian 10-Dance Champion, and he was ranked among the world’s top 24 Latin dancers for eight consecutive years.
When did Cristian Priori join Strictly Come Dancing?
Cristian Priori joined Strictly Come Dancing as a new professional in July 2026, for series 24.