00:00Hey everyone, I've got something to tell you. It's a tough one, but here we go.
00:06After 14 years on Strictly Come Dancing, I've decided this is the right time for me to close this chapter
00:12and take on new projects in other areas that I'm passionate about.
00:19Strictly completely changed my life, not only as a performer and a teacher, but as a human being.
00:25I've had the privilege of meeting so many incredible people and brilliant celebrity partners
00:31who have become close friends and people I admire so much.
00:37None of this would have been possible without the amazing fans.
00:41You've been there since day one, when I just moved to the UK and had no idea what I was
00:47getting myself into.
00:48I'm so grateful you've watched me grow over the years and witnessed all of my different hairstyles.
00:58I'm going to miss everyone who makes the show possible.
01:02From hair, makeup, wardrobe, the crew behind the cameras, lighting, production and staging,
01:10the runners, Dave Arch, and the band, the singers, and the producers and welfare team who take such good care
01:17of us.
01:19It's an incredible machine powered by brilliant people.
01:23To my fellow professional dancers who I adore, I will always be cheering you on.
01:28You truly are the best in the business.
01:32I'll never forget joining the show 14 years ago with Sir Bruce Forsyth and Len Goodman
01:38and learning from such incredible legends along the way.
01:42And to the brilliant Tess and Claudia.
01:45Maybe now we can finally be ladies who lunch in the autumn.
01:52I'll even miss standing in front of the judges.
01:54Can you believe that?
01:55Smiling politely while sometimes secretly disagreeing.
02:00It's been an honor to share the ballroom with them.
02:04And last but not least, thank you to my friends and family who have supported me through it all.
02:09I love you all.
02:11Now this isn't a goodbye.
02:13It's simply see you later because I will never stop dancing.
02:18Who would have thought that a young girl from the Bronx...
02:23Sorry.
02:26I would end up becoming the longest serving female professional dancer on a British TV institution.
02:34Strictly will always be in my heart.
02:36I love you all.
02:38Mwah.
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