STRICTLY star Carlos Gu has opened up on not receiving a celebrity partner in the latest series.

The Chinese dancer and choreographer first joined the BBC show in 2022.

BBC/Ray BurmistonStrictlys Carlos Gu has opened up about not having a partner for the 2024 series[/caption]BBC/Ray BurmistonIn the stars debut year, he partnered actress and singer Molly Rainford[/caption]PAThe pair had a large fanbase rally behind them[/caption]

While Carlos has returned for the 2024 series, he is not partnering a celebrity this time around.

In previous series, he paired with EastEnders Molly Rainford and TV presenter Angela Scanlon.

Speaking to Aimee Fuller on her Monday Mile podcast, Carlos discussed the benefits of not getting a celeb partner.

He said: “Im still a part of the shows. Im still doing the music act. Im still doing some of the group numbers.

If you are not in the competition, you have more free time, I think Im just using my time wisely.

Were going to go husband hunting, you know, were going to improve our skills and learning.

He added: When the season starts, when youre busy, your mind is literally on fire and twirling.

You never really have the opportunity to really relax.

I think I really need that this year. I think this is a good opportunity for me to be doing that, because through that I can learn something about myself that I didnt know before.

Meanwhile, the dancer told former Team GB winter Olympian Aimee how he doesnt feel snubbed with the decision being not necessarily personal.

Carlos said: Sometimes the decision is made [and it’s] not necessarily personal. It’s just because of the different perspectives, the different teams.

Because we all want the show to look great. We all want this company, this production to look good.

So, nothing is really personal. I think as long as you start to understand that, some of the decisions aren’t personal to you.”

The stars first year on Strictly saw him and Molly Rainford reach the final.

Strictly 2024 pairings

Heres who is matched with who this series...

Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell Jamie Borthwick and Michelle Tsiakkas JB Gill and Amy Dowden MBE Montell Douglas and Johannes Radebe Nick Knowles and Luba Mushtuk Paul Merson and Karen Hauer Pete Wicks and Jowita Przystał Punam Krishan and Gorka Márquez Tasha Ghouri and Aljaž Škorjanec Tom Dean MBE and Nadiya Bychkova Toyah Willcox and Neil Jones Sam Quek MBE and Nikita Kuzmin Sarah Hadland and Vito Coppola Shayne Ward and Nancy Xu Wynne Evans and Katya Jones

They ultimately finished as runners-up behind Hamza Yassin and Jowita Przystal.

Meanwhile, last year Carlos and Angela Scanlon reached week 10 of the competition, finishing sixth overall.

Who will emerge victorious on Strictly 2024?

Strictly Come Dancing airs on BBC One and is available on iPlayer.

PAIn 2023, Carlos partnered TV presenter Angela Scanlon[/caption]