Lauren May Oakley (born 28 February 1991) is an English professional dancer and choreographer, best known for appearing as a professional on the BBC One television series Strictly Come Dancing.
Early life
Oakley was born on 28 February 1991 in Birmingham, England.[1][2] She began dancing at the age of 2 and began competing in Ballroom and Latin dance at the age of 7.[1]
Career
Oakley became Juvenile Champion at the Blackpool Dance Festival, winning across both Ballroom and Latin disciplines and also became Under 21 British National Champion before beginning a career on stage.[3] She has toured the world as part of the live dance show Burn the Floor and has starred as the "leading lady" in the national tour Him & Me alongside Giovanni Pernice and Anton Du Beke.[4][5][6] and has starred in Pernice's solo tour This Is Me.[7][8]
Strictly Come Dancing
In July 2022, Oakley was announced to be joining the twentieth series of Strictly Come Dancing as a professional, along with Vito Coppola, Carlos Gu, and Michelle Tsiakkas.[9] Upon her appointment as a professional, Oakley said "[She had] grown up watching Strictly, always hoping that one day [she] could be part of the best show on television, doing what [she loves] the most. Now that it’s happening, it doesn’t quite seem real. I can’t wait to start this new sequined adventure and join this incredible family."[1][10] Oakley did not partner a celebrity for her first series, and instead took part in the professional group routines.
Oakley returned for the twenty-second series and did not receive a celebrity partner. She danced however, with JLS singer JB Gill in the show's seventh week, standing in for an ill Amy Dowden.[11] The following Monday it was confirmed that Oakley would partner Gill for the remainder of the series, as Dowden withdrew from the series due to a foot injury.[12] The couple reached the final, but ultimately lost out to Chris McCausland and his partner Dianne Buswell.