Strictly Come Dancing pro Robin Windsor has pulled out of this year's show as a result of a back injury - and is being replaced by Australian dance star Trent Whiddon.

Robin, who has been in the BBC One show since 2010, was temporarily crocked with back problems last year and said he is "devastated" to be out of the series.

His replacement Trent is a dancefloor champion, has appeared on the US and Australian equivalent of Strictly - Dancing With The Stars - and has performed on Broadway.

He began dancing at the age of seven, winning youth and junior titles Down Under, going on to join the cast of dance show Burn The Floor in his teens and spending 12 years with the company.

Trent, who has also been choreographer on the Australian version of TV hit So You Think You Can Dance, said: "I am so excited to have been asked to join Strictly. It's such an honour to be a part of the show and I can't wait to step onto the famous Strictly dancefloor."

Robin missed some of last year's series - although after he and celebrity partner Deborah Meaden had been eliminated - due to a slipped disc and nerve problems

He said : "I'm devastated to have to pull out of Strictly this year due to a pre-existing back injury. It's been a really difficult decision, but I plan to focus 100 per cent on my recovery and hope to be back in the ballroom as soon as possible, doing what I love best.

"In the meantime, I wish the rest of the cast and crew the best of luck with the new series which I'll be watching every week."

Strictly's executive producer, Louise Rainbow said: "We are of course sad to lose Robin from this year's show. He is a valued member of the Strictly family and we wish him the very best with his recovery.

"But every cloud has a silver lining and I am delighted to welcome Trent to our team of professional dancers."

Trent will be joined by two other new professionals Joanne Clifton - whose brother Kevin is already in the show, partnering Susanna Reid last year - and Tristan MacManus.

Also returning to the show this year will be Aliona Vilani, Iveta Lukosiute, Janette Manrara, Karen Hauer, Kristina Rihanoff, Natalie Lowe, Ola Jordan, Aljaz Skorjanec, Anton du Beke, Brendan Cole and Pasha Kovalev.

Artem Chigvintsev and James Jordan will not be taking part in the 2014 series. It will be hosted by Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, after veteran presenter Sir Bruce Forsyth announced he was stepping down.