Michelle Tsiakkas began her Strictly Come Dancing journey in 2022. The professional dancer is supported by boyfriend Simone Arena. Here's everything you need to know about him.

Michelle Tsiakkas is in a relationship with professional dancer Simone Arena. He is an Italian dancer and choreographer and was born on August 7, 1991. His love of dancing began when he was just a child and by the age of 16 he became the Vice Italian Latin Champion.

Simone has danced on Dancing With The Stars in Belgium, Italy and Ireland. In December 2021, the dancer joined the cast of Dancing with the Stars. He was partnered with artistic gymnast Nina Derwael and the duo went on to win the series. He joined Italy's version in 2022 where he danced with TV presenter, Marta Flavi and they were first to be sent home.

In November 2023, Simone announced he would be joining the Irish version of Dancing with the Stars. He said: "Ciao everyone! am very excited to share with all of you some exciting news. I will be a new Professional dancer on Dancing with the Stars Ireland! @dwtsirl The cat’s out of the bag, and this Italian is ready to bring some fun dancing and a pinch of pasta and pizza to the dance floor. Get ready for a delicious journey with me. Who is going to be my partner?"

Simone danced with Ru Paul's Drag Race winner Blu Hydrangea and they managed to come runners up. However, in 2024 Simone posted a message to his Instagram where he said he would be taking a break from Dancing with the Stars. He said: "I’ve been quiet for a while here. A lot has been happening since ‘Dancing with the Stars,’ and I needed to take some time to focus on what matters most. I’m back in London now and excited to see what’s next."

He joined Burn the Floor in 2014 which toured London's West End and around the world including China, Australia and Japan. In 2019, Simone was announced as part of the cast of Somnium: A Dancer's Dream with Strictly Come Dancing stars Katya Jones and Neil Jones. Simone joined the cast of Giovanni Pernice's This is Me tour in 2020 but this was postponed due to the Covid 19 pandemic.

Michelle and Simone have been a relationship since they met on the Burn the Floor tour. It's not known exactly how long they have been together. The pair are often seen posting loved up snaps on their Instagram pages. On August 29, 2024, Simone shared a sweet message to celebrate his girlfriend's birthday. He wrote: "Happy birthday, babe! @michelle_tsiak. You’re such a ray of sunshine, always brightening everything you touch with your warmth and light. Here’s to the exciting times ahead! I know this is going to be your year to shine. I love you so much!"

Behind the Scenes of Strictly

Behind the sequin sparkles of Strictly Come Dancing lies a blood, sweat and tears reality, so how does its squad of professional choreographers like to assert calm before the live weekend shows? Ahead of the 2024 competition, which officially kicks off next weekend on BBC One, each of the 18 superstars were asked about any weird habits they'd formed over the years.

Carlos Gu will undergo between five and 10 minutes' worth of meditation, while Amy Dowden "literally can't keep still - I'm like a bottle of pop waiting to burst with nerves and energy"; Kai Widdrington always shakes his hands and blows through the gaps in his fingers, and Michelle Tsiakkas soothes herself with some classical music. However, neither Neil Jones, Lauren Oakley, Nadiya Bychkova, nor Nancy Xu indulge in any superstitions before the Strictly curtain opens, with the latter explaining: "For me, what’s important is being with my dance partner – eye to eye, hand in hand, breathing in and out. No panic. No rush. I want to make sure we're in the same bubble, and I think that’s really important."

Pre-Show Rituals

These lot, on the other hand...

• "I probably talk to my family more on a Saturday than at any other time, just to feel as calm as possible and take my mind somewhere else, like back home. Even if it's just on Zoom, it helps me feel a bit more level-headed about everything." - Strictly professional

• "I've noticed that I always give my best performance when I'm tired. So if I'm yawning before a show, I know it's going to be a good night. It used to drive my celebrity partners nuts – they'd ask, 'How can you be tired and then pull off a great performance?' I don't know, but I've learned that being in a calm, almost sleepy state helps me stay zen, and it keeps them calm too." - Strictly professional

• "I have a couple of little rings that my dad bought me. There's a certain ring that I have on my finger that I'll just touch and it makes me feel like I have good luck. Before I dance, I'll look down at that ring and I know everything's going to be okay because I have my rings." - Strictly professional

• "I always do the same thing that I do in week one. It's different every year, but whatever I do on the first show I will repeat for the rest of the series. So if before week one I have a coffee and a biscuit I will have a coffee and a biscuit before every show. If it goes well, I will not change it. I like to keep the same routine every time." - Strictly professional

• "Whatever happens, I need to disappear. I hide with a can of fizzy pop, I need that sugar. Just before I go on stage, I always take a minute to ground myself and remind myself why I'm doing this. It's important to take that time off, even if it's just to take my partners with me and get in the zone." - Strictly professional

• "I think I'm just trying to breathe. And always, before I go on stage, I need to play my favourite song. It depends because sometimes it's a different song; it's never the same song. With each of my partners, I had one song, and if I go alone or do group dances with professionals, I have my own song. I always play it. Also, I'm sorry to say this, but I always feel like I need to use the bathroom just before getting on stage! It's horrible because our costumes are sewn in, so it's a challenge to go to the bathroom. It's not like a two-minute job. If you wear tights, it's really difficult, but I manage to sort that out." - Strictly professional

• "I like to hide. I need time because there's so much going on - you're doing makeup, hair, practicing with your celebrity, dealing with costumes. There's a moment where I just need like 10 minutes for myself. I usually just find a corner in the girls' room - there's always a little corner with a sofa, which is always my corner. We all pick our little corners, and I put my music on, or I watch something, and I just keep to myself for a bit." - Strictly professional

• "I just literally breathe. I imagine that I grow roots into the ground and it grounds me. All I really worry about is my partner, that's where most of my attention goes to make sure they're okay. I love that moment when you hold hands and walk in and have a warm reception from the audience. I think that's really wonderful and it boosts their confidence as well." - Strictly professional

• "I always go into my zone. I listen to specific music that I always listen to before any show. I have a very random collection there is some Marc Anthony in there, some songs from my childhood, Russian songs. I also speak to someone who was very, very close to me but passed away. Before I do any show I speak to him and tell him I'm doing it for him." - Strictly professional

• "I'm probably the most superstitious out of everyone. I make sure to claim double drains throughout the week and will go out of my way, even in big circles, to collect points by walking over two drains while avoiding three drains at all costs. I go everywhere to collect drain points. I also stick to the same jewellery and wear particular socks because I need to be lucky. My 10 minutes of meditation are a must, without them, I won't feel lucky on the night. I also have to do nine jumps – three small, three big, then three small again. And right before a dance, when I'm already on the ballroom floor, I have to say, 'Let's go.'" - Strictly professional

• "I usually touch my shoulders in a cross pattern, which is my way of expressing gratitude. The first shoulder represents my appreciation for life, my experiences, and what's coming next. The second shoulder is for my family, as I always want to feel their presence with me. Another thing, which might sound a bit odd but I'm not ashamed of, is that before the show I like to eat very simply, like just white rice and chicken." - Strictly professional

Taking a Break From Dancing

However, in 2024 Simone posted a message to his Instagram where he said he would be taking a break from Dancing with the Stars. He said: "I’ve been quiet for a while here. A lot has been happening since ‘Dancing with the Stars,’ and I needed to take some time to focus on what matters most. I’m back in London now and excited to see what’s next."

Strictly's New Series

The new series of Strictly Come Dancing stars on Saturday night and one pro being tipped to land a celebrity partner for the first time is Michelle Tsiakkas. While there are pro dancers every year on Strictly, with them performing stunning routines throughout the series, not all of them get a partner, with Nadiya Bychkova famously 'snubbed' by producers last year and fans complaining for years that Neil Jones 'never gets' one. There have been a few changes to the Strictly pro line-up for 2024, with the exits of both Giovanni Pernice and Graziano Di Prima and the unexpected return of Aljaz Škorjanec, 11 years after his one and only Strictly win to date with Abbey Clancy. Vito Coppola is back for his third stint in the BBC ballroom, almost 12 months on from his win with Ellie Leach, while fan favourites like Johannes Radebe, Dianne Buswell and Gorka Marquez are also back. A delighted Amy Dowden is expected to have a partner this year, after her cancer treatment forced her to mostly watch from the sidelines last year and another dancer you might want to keep an eye out for is Michelle.

Michelle, 28, is a Latin dance champion who first started dancing at the age of six in her home country of Cyprus. There she became an undefeated champion, winning national titles consecutively from 2001-2011 before moving to London to study. After moving countries, Michelle went onto represent England at several dance championships, as well as travelling all over the UK with hit show Burn the Floor. Talking about now being part of the Strictly family, Michelle said: “Being a professional dancer on Strictly Come Dancing has been my dream ever since I was a little girl. I cannot believe my dream has come true. I’m so grateful to be joining this incredible family and I can’t wait to step on that magical dance floor and give it my all!”

Ahead of Saturday's Strictly launch show, Michelle posted old footage of herself dancing on Instagram and wrote: "Where it all began …6 years old and a new found love for dance. The happiness it gave me was immeasurable. And I always remember running to my mum after each performance to hear what she thought of it. She never sugar-coated anything (and she still doesn’t) which make her compliments that much more meaningful." She added: "Another season of @bbcstrictly commences tonight, and I can’t wait for you all to join us in the world of dance, joy and sparkle"