The superstar contestants heading for the BBC dance contest’s ballroom this 12 months have been confirmed
The fcelebrities heading to the ballroom for Strictly Come Dancing 2025 have been named. These participating this 12 months embrace a former worldwide footballer, a Drag Race star, a well-known YouTuber, an EastEnders star and a Love Island winner.
Fifteen celebrities have been confirmed as of Friday morning (August 15).
Becoming a member of them can be Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, who be again as hosts. Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Shirley Ballas and Anton Du Beke are returning to the judging panel.
Those that comply with the hit present additionally know which skilled dancers can be again within the ballroom this 12 months. It was again in April that Amy Dowden, Nadiya Bychkova, Karen Hauer, Nikita Kuzmin, Neil Jones, Gorka Marquez and Luba Mushtuk have been confirmed to be concerned within the 2025 sequence.
Dianne Buswell, Katya Jones, Jowita Przystal, Johannes Radebe, Michelle Tsiakkas, Aljaž Škorjanec, Kai Widdrington, Nancy Xu, Carlos Gu, Lauren Oakley and Vito Coppola may also take to the ballroom as soon as extra.
They are going to be joined by two brand new professional dancers, So You Assume You Can Dance champion Alexis Warr and Australia’s Dancing With The Stars’ Julian Caillon.
Beneath are the fifteen names which were introduced for the brand new sequence.
Harry Aikines-Aryeetey
Harry is best known for competing on the Bradley and Barney Walsh model of Gladiators, the place he goes by the title Nitro and takes on members of the general public in bodily challenges.
The multi gold medal-winning Crew GB sprinter, who was the primary athlete to win gold medals at each 100 and 200 metres on the World Youth Championships, has already appeared on Strictly as soon as earlier than as he took half in final 12 months’s Christmas particular with Nancy Xu.
Harry shared: “After the Christmas Particular, it was so good I simply needed to do it twice! I’m so excited to be a part of the Strictly household this sequence and I’m prepared to provide all of it I’ve acquired. I’ll be bringing tons of vitality to mild up the dance ground. Let’s hope I’m as fast choosing up the routines as I’m on the observe.”
Dani Dyer
The daugther of former EastEnders star Danny Dyer rose to fame on the fourth season of Love Island, which she received together with her ex-Jack Fincham.
Following her success on the fact relationship present, Dani has fronted documentaries comparable to Is This Anxiousness?, has teamed up together with her father Danny for podcast Stay and Let Dyers and has made visitor appearances in EastEnders and Superstar Gogglebox.
Boasting over three million social media followers, she is a broadcast creator together with her debut e book What Would Dani Do, and tied the knot to West Ham footballer Jarrod Bowen in Might this 12 months.
Teasing what to anticipate, she mentioned: “Getting the chance to be on Strictly is the second most wonderful factor I’ve finished this 12 months! I really feel very very blessed and can’t wait to get my dancing sneakers on.”
Alex Kingston
Physician Who followers are going to be buzzing on the information of Alex Kingston’s announcement, with the actress enjoying River Music on the BBC sci-fi sequence from 2008 till 2015.
Outdoors of her time travelling with the Physician, Alex rose to fame s Dr Elizabeth Corday within the international hit TV drama ER, profitable a SAG award within the course of throughout her eight years on the medical programme.
Different tv work from Ralph Fiennes former spouse consists of Douglas Is Cancelled, Treason, Gilmore Ladies, Boudica, Misplaced in Austen, Dodger, A Discovery of Witches, Regulation & Order: Particular Victims Unit, and Arrow.
On becoming a member of Strictly Come Dancing, Alex merely advised the BBC: ”Aaaaagghhh!!!!!!”
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, finest identified for banging the targets within the Premier League and throughout Europe, is swapping his soccer boots for a pair of dancing sneakers.
The retired Dutch footballer performed for Leeds United, Atlético Madrid and Chelsea, incomes a fame for his energy, tempo, and precision throughout his enjoying profession.
Since retiring, Jimmy has turn into a well-known face in soccer punditry for main UK sports activities networks, managed golf equipment like Burton Albion and Northampton City and even served as an assistant coach for the England nationwide group.
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink mentioned of becoming a member of Strictly: “Swapping the pitch for the ballroom is definitely not one thing I’ve finished earlier than however I’m trying ahead to tackling a enjoyable problem! Convey on a brand new kind of footwork, with hopefully no personal targets.”
Balvinder Sopal
Balvinder Sopal was confirmed because the fifth superstar becoming a member of the brand new sequence of Strictly Come Dancing. The actress, whose profession spans theatre, radio, movie and tv, is most identified for taking part in the notorious Suki Kaur Panesar (now Unwin) on EastEnders since 2019.
As Suki she has been on the coronary heart of a few of EastEnders’ most gripping and acclaimed storylines, from being a part of ‘The Six’ to her on-off affair with Eve Unwin.
Earlier than EastEnders, Balvinder appeared on many common TV exhibits in varied guises, together with a visitor lead in Name The Midwife sequence seven, Medical doctors, and Waterloo Street.
On becoming a member of Strictly, Balvinder mentioned:: “Being on Strictly is a dream that I held on to, with no proof that it could ever occur. Engaged on EastEnders and being part of Strictly Come Dancing is the stuff that goals are manufactured from. I’m far too excited to place into phrases how I really feel however I’m extremely excited on the prospect of dancing throughout the ballroom!”
George Clarke
Rising YouTube George Clarke was confirmed because the sixth member of the category of 2025 on BBC Radio One’s Going Dwelling Present. Boasting over 600,000 subscribers, George is a detailed good friend of megagroup The Sidemen.
Also referred to as George Clarkey, George started experimenting with video content material as a youngster, rapidly discovering the ability of humour and honesty to attach with individuals around the globe.
Amassing a serious following throughout YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram, with followers drawn to his authenticity and sharp comedic voice, George co-hosts The Ineffective Hotline Podcast with Max Balegde.
“By no means thought I’d say this… however I’m doing Strictly! Truthfully, I’ve acquired no concept what I’m doing however I’m excited to get caught in… and doubtlessly fall over a good bit,” he joked.
La Voix
RuPaul’s Drag Race UK star La Voix has been introduced because the seventh contestant so as to add much more glitz and glamour to the nations favorite dancefloor.
A powerhouse of charisma, comedy, and cabaret, La Voix stole the present and hearts of viewers on the sequence. With 4 RuPeter Badges underneath her belt and a spot within the Grand Finale, she was awarded runner-up and rapidly turned a fan favorite..
She’s no stranger to showing on display, having been on ITV’s Queens For The Evening, and impressing the judges as a semi-finalist on Britain’s Acquired Expertise the place she being declared “a power to be reckoned with” by choose Alesha Dixon.
“I’ve carried out for royalty, RuPaul and Simon Cowell, however nothing fills me with extra pleasure (and fairly a little bit of terror) than the considered dancing in entrance of tens of millions on stay Saturday evening TV. Strictly is a nationwide establishment and I am unable to wait to get began. All that is left to say is: good luck to my accomplice! This is hoping they will help me go from La Voix into La Danse'”, she quipped.
Chris Robshaw
Chris Robshaw was confirmed because the eighth contestant on Strictly on Scott Mills BBC Radio 2 Present. The previous England rugby captain will enter the well-known ballroom in only a few weeks time.
He first joined his childhood membership, Harlequins RFC, straight out of faculty and have become captain at 23 years outdated. He earned 66 caps for England and captained the nationwide group 43 instances, main them to a Six Nations Grand Slam victory in 2016.
Upon becoming a member of the line-up for 2025, he admitted: “That is about as far out of my consolation zone because it will get! I’m hoping to take my dad dancing to a complete new degree, and my mum can’t wait to tug me alongside to her Zumba class. Let’s see if a rugby sidestep works within the Cha Cha Cha.”
Ellie Goldstein
BBC Breakfast revealed that Ellie Goldstein has been introduced because the ninth superstar becoming a member of the brand new sequence of Strictly Come Dancing within the upcoming weeks.
As a trailblazing mannequin, actor and influencer, she made historical past as the primary mannequin with Down syndrome to grace the quilt of British Vogue. Her modelling profession has additionally seen the star seem in enormous campaigns for manufacturers comparable to Gucci Magnificence and Adidas.
Two years in the past Ellie partnered with Mattel to launch the primary ever Barbie with Down syndrome, and extra lately her appearing has taken centre stage, with a visitor lead function in CBBC’s Mallory Towers.
“I’m completely over the moon to be becoming a member of the solid and professionals of Strictly Come Dancing this 12 months. It’s a present I’ve beloved watching for therefore lengthy, and the prospect to now be a part of it appears like a dream. I do know it’s going to be difficult, however I’m able to do it with the glitter and glamour and make some magic on that dancefloor. Let the Strictly journey start!”, she gushed.
Thomas Skinner
Thomas Skinner has been introduced because the tenth superstar becoming a member of the brand new sequence of Strictly Come Dancing, as confirmed by Sam Thompson on Hits Radio.
He first hit TV screens on The Apprentice in 2019, and located himself as a breakout star of his sequence. Since leaving the boardroom, Thomas has appeared on TV exhibits together with 8 Out of 10 Cats, The Wheel, Michael McIntyre’s Large Present, Good Morning Britain and Faking It, alongside a memorable and “meme-worthy” look on Superstar Grasp Chef.
On becoming a member of the Strictly ballroom, Thomas Skinner says: “I’m past excited to be becoming a member of Strictly Come Dancing. I’ve tackled the boardroom and a few large breakfasts in my time however stepping onto the dance ground underneath that glitter ball is subsequent degree stuff! I’ve by no means danced in my life (apart from at weddings) however I’m able to graft and naturally have amusing. Convey on the sequins, sambas and most significantly, the BOSH to the ballroom!”
Vicky Pattison
Vicky Pattison has been introduced because the eleventh superstar to tackle the Strictly ballroom, as confirmed by This Morning.
The TV presenter, creator, podcast and radio host received the nation’s coronary heart after being topped Queen of the Jungle on I am A Superstar…Get Me Out of Right here! in 2015. Since then, she’s remained a agency fixture on British screens.
On becoming a member of the hit BBC present, Vicky shared: “I’m completely buzzing to be a part of this 12 months’s Strictly Come Dancing lineup… however I would be mendacity if I mentioned I wasn’t terrified. I’m a not a pure dancer! Nonetheless, it’s such an incredible alternative for me to step out of my consolation zone and to problem myself in a very new manner and I simply actually hope I do not make an excessive amount of of a idiot of myself!”
Stefan Dennis
The actor was introduced because the twelfth superstar who can be showing on the Strictly dance ground.
Stefan is finest identified for taking part in Paul Robinson in Neighbours, the longest working drama sequence in Australian tv historical past. He created the function for the primary episode in 1985 and appeared in over 6,000 episodes throughout the 40 years that the present was on air.
He admitted: “This is a chance for me to as soon as once more study to step out of my consolation zone on this planet of tv. Wanting ahead to the glint and reaching for the sky.”
Ross King
The information was revealed stay on ITV’s Lorraine in a shock reveal that noticed Ross King ‘stay from Hollywood’ asserting the following contestant: himself!
Ross may be seen every day on ITV’s Good Morning Britain and Lorraine as their Los Angeles Correspondent. He’s a four-time Information Emmy winner who has hosted greater than 30 tv sequence since his first radio broadcast at 15 and tv debut at 17.
He gushed: “From the brilliant lights of Hollywood to the glittering ballroom – it’s a dream come true to be a part of such an iconic present. I can’t wait to study from the most effective, meet my fellow contestants, and, most significantly… strive to not step on too many toes! Let’s give this the most effective that I can! As my mum at all times mentioned: ‘You’ll by no means know until you give it a go!'”
Karen Carney
Karen Carney is a former footballer who performed for Chelsea, Arsenal, Birmingham Metropolis and England, and is now the lead feminine pundit for each males’s and ladies’s soccer, throughout TNT and ITV.
With 144 caps, Karen is England’s third most-capped participant, competing at 4 World Cups, 4 European Championships and the London Olympics earlier than retiring in 2019.
She shared: “It truly is a dream come true to be part of this 12 months’s Strictly Come Dancing line up. I’m such an enormous fan of the present and I can’t consider I’m lastly getting the prospect to participate. I’m so excited to fulfill everybody and get dancing!”
Kristian Nairn
The ultimate confirmed contestant, Kristian Nairn is an internationally famend actor, DJ and inventive power who has spent over 20 years on the forefront of music and leisure.
Kristian is finest identified for his unforgettable portrayal of Hodor in HBO’s international phenomenon Sport of Thrones, a job that earned him a faithful worldwide following and created one of the iconic and emotional moments in latest TV historical past.
He shared: “This can be an enormous problem for me bodily, however I’m able to rise to it! It’s a surreal and fantastic alternative to shed one among my left toes!”
