Strictly Come Dancing professional Lauren Oakley has made a comeback on spin-off show It Takes Two despite not having a partner for the 2024 series.
Lauren, who joined the show last year and was paired with newsreader Krishnan Guru-Murthy, was noticeably absent from the main professional line-up for the 20th anniversary series, sparking outrage among fans.
However, she returned to the show on Monday to present the choreography corner segment, where she analysed the routines from Saturday’s live show.
Host Fleur welcomed Lauren back, saying: “We like to think our couples can’t put a foot wrong but that’s not always the case, putting her best foot forward to explain some of the weekend’s heel and toe action it’s Lauren and choreography corner. Welcome back. We saw you enjoying the show on Saturday night so let’s talk about the dances.”
Lauren went on to discuss the performances, including JB Gill and Amy Dowdan’s Jive, which landed them in the bottom two but ultimately saw them saved by the judges.
Taking to social media platform X, previously known as Twitter, one fan wrote: “#ItTakesTwo @laurenmayoakley is back for Choreo corner #Strictly #StrictlyComeDancing.”
Another chimed in: “Yay @laurenmayoakley is doing choreography corner #ItTakesTwo #Strictly #StrictlyComeDancing.”, reports the Mirror. A third person commented: “Lauren’s back for Choreo corner [sic]”.
After the announcement that Lauren wouldn’t be paired with a celebrity this year, fans quickly took to social media to express their views. On X, formerly known as Twitter, one fan questioned: “”Why hasn’t @laurenmayoakley been given a partner this year? Booooo.”
Another added at the time: “Will miss seeing your amazing teaching this year, Lauren!” Kai Widdrington and CarloGu are also left without partners this year but the trio will still very much be part of the series – and the Strictly Family – and will appear in various dancers throughout the upcoming season.
Lauren shared a message to her fans and followers days after the launch showl as she sat enjoying some sun in a park. She wrote alongside a peaceful photo on her Instagram Story: “Finding time to lay down and take in the every day. Life is usually so high speed, so I’m really appreciating the small things.”
She added: “Thank you for all your lovely words of support! I see you all. So looking forward to this season and supporting all of my wonderfully talented friends and their fantastic students.”
Strictly: It Takes Two airs weeknights on BBC Two at 6.30pm