The Strictly professional dancers are in a 'battle' to be paired up with these two incoming contestants from the 2023 lineup. 

The professionals of the popular BBC dancing competiton are reportedly very impressed with Love Island star Zara McDermott, 26, and EastEnders actor Bobby Brazier, 20.

There is huge competition to land one of them as a partner after some early training sessions, according to reports.

A source told The Sun: "Zara and Bobby are absolutely the favourites.

News and Star: Strictly Come Dancing's professionals are all desperate to be paired with Zara McDermott and Bobby Brazier.. ( BBC Studios)Strictly Come Dancing's professionals are all desperate to be paired with Zara McDermott and Bobby Brazier.. ( BBC Studios) (Image: BBC Studios)

Strictly dancers see 'serious potential' in Zara McDermott and Bobby Brazier

"All the dancers want to be paired with them because they both have serious potential on the dance floor.

"There’s a battle going on between the pros as they all try to convince bosses to get the best pairing.

"They know their airtime is largely dependent on how talented their celebrity pairing is, so everything is to play for at this stage.”

However, popular pro Gorka Marquez, 32, is said to have his eye on another contestant.

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Gorka has not won the Strictly glitterball trophy but has been a runner-up on two occasions with singer Alexandra Burke (2017) and EastEnders actress Maisie Smith (2020).

Last year, Gorka was partnered up with former Blue Peter and Countryfile presenter Helen Skelton.

This time around, he is reportedly keen to work with former Coronation Street star Ellie Leach, 22, as they could train in Manchester.

This is apparently close to where Gorka lives with his fiancée Gemma Atkinson and their children.

Meanwhile, older contestants Les Dennis, 69, and Angela Rippon, 78, have surprised the dancers with their skills.

One insider said: "Les Dennis raised a few eyebrows. He won’t be the joke act at all. He’s serious.

“And Angela Rippon surprised everyone with how swift she was across the dance floor.”

Strictly Come Dancing 2023 line-up 

  • Sherlock and Mr Selfridge actress Amanda Abbington
  • Former newsreader Angela Rippon
  • Stage and screen star Layton Williams
  • Channel 4 journalist Krishnan Guru-Murthy
  • Comedian Eddie Kadi
  • Irish presenter Angela Scanlon
  • Love Island’s Zara McDermott
  • Emmerdale and Waterloo Road actor Adam Thomas
  • BBC radio presenter Nikita Kanda
  • Coronation Street's Ellie Leach
  • Paralympic Champion Jody Cundy CBE
  • EastEnders star Bobby Brazier
  • Casualty star Nigel Harman
  • British tennis player Annabel Croft
  • Family Fortunes host Les Dennis

'Strictly Come Dancing' partnerships will be announced in the coming weeks and the show will start in September on BBC One.