Chinese dancer joins hit BBC show

The BBC has announced that Xu Xi, a professional dancer from Hunan province, known in the United Kingdom as Nancy Xu, will become the first Chinese performer to join the cast of the hit British variety show Strictly Come Dancing.

The broadcaster confirmed that the 28-year-old will join the show for its 17th season, which airs in September. The show features professional dancers paired with 15 celebrities. They all compete in a series of televised dance contests in front of a panel of judges.

Reacting to the announcement, which was made public on her birthday on Monday, Xu said she was "thrilled and excited" to join the show.