Who is Mark Karmalita? Meet brand new Strictly Come Dancing 2026 professional

Strictly Come Dancing fans, get ready to spend the next few months glued to your screens every Saturday night as the show returns this weekend.

There have been some big changes since the last series of the dance competition as Emma Willis, Johannes Radebe and Josh Widdicombe have joined as the new hosts, and five new professional dancers will be taking to the ballroom floor.

One of the new pros is Canadian dancer Mark Karmalita, who has won multiple championships in his home country.

But what else is there to know about Mark Karmalita? Read on to learn more about the dancer as he foxtrots onto the dance floor.

Mark Karmalita - key facts

Age: 22

Job: Professional dancer

From: Toronto, Canada

Want to see this content?

This page contains content provided by Instagram. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as Instagram may use cookies and other technologies. To view this content, choose 'Accept and continue' to allow Instagram and its required purposes.

Mark Karmalita is an accomplished dancer from Toronto, Canada, who will be joining Strictly Come Dancing alongside new pros Aleksandra Isaeva, Cristian Priori, Lethabo Monametsi and Maddie Ingoldsby.

He’s a two-time National Latin Champion in Canada, and a Canadian Championship winner and finalist across multiple age groups. Mark is also an Empire Dance US Latin Rising Star Champion, and was previously ranked 10th in the World at the Under 21 Latin Dance Festival in Blackpool.

How old is Mark Karmalita?

Mark Karmalita is 22 years old, but will be turning 23 on Friday 18 September 2026.

Yes, Mark regularly posts on Instagram (@markkarmalita) and TikTok (@markkarmalita).

What has Mark Karmalita said about joining Strictly Come Dancing?

Mark has said that joining Strictly "feels incredibly special".

He continued: "I’m honoured to be stepping into a ballroom with so much history and heart. I can’t wait to bring my own style, connect with the audience, and enjoy every moment along the way."

Strictly Come Dancing returns to BBC One and iPlayer on Saturday 19 September at 7:25pm.

Add Strictly Come Dancing to your watchlist on the Radio Times: What to Watch app – download now for daily TV recommendations, features and more.

Check out more of our Entertainment coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what else is on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.

Authors

Nathan Katnoria is a freelance writer at Radio Times, covering entertainment shows like Strictly Come Dancing and Big Brother. He is an NCTJ-qualified journalist and previously worked at heat and Closer, where he focused on showbiz news and reality TV.