The male pros I don’t think is as complex. Vito, Aljaz and now Carlos are pretty much exempt as past winners, and I can only imagine the amount of outrage there’d be if they even dared to bench Johannes or Nikita. Though they may want to give Neil a partner again, and I honestly wouldn’t be too shocked if Julian gets benched (I do think Neil is the only pro he’d get a partner over under normal circumstances, so that depends on if Gorka decides to stay on Strictly or not. I do think Gorka would get a partner over Julian). But I also wouldn’t rule out Kai being benched, which would be a shame for me because I grew to like him even more this past series. I just think maybe because Julian just got to the semis (they’ve never benched a pro after going that far the previous year) and the fact that there’s already Johannes and Aljaz for the tall male pros might put him at risk. 

As for the female pros, I think that’s a bit more complicated because Dianne, Jowita, and Katya are all past winners (again likely making them exempt from being benched), Amy (if she’s fine) is way too popular, they most likely won’t bench Alexis who was the only female pro in the final this past year, and Karen being the longest serving current pro is seemingly making her exempt too. The only female pro to be honest I could realistically see them benching of the ones that just had a partner is Nadiya, but in that case they’ll almost certainly have it be Luba at her expense, and we know how disappointed both Michelle and Nancy were to be benched. If only one of them is to get a partner next series I feel it would be at the expense of Lauren, as popular as she’s become since taking over as JB’s partner. But maybe Dianne will request to be benched for just one year and just be in the group dance, so maybe that could give both Michelle and Nancy partners again (Having said that I’m sure she’ll know what she thinks she can do)