Strictly Come Dancing confirms Dani Dyer as second 2025 contestant
Dani, 29, is hoping to capitalise on her Love Island triumph as she takes to the dance floor. After she was revealed on The One Show tonight, the newlywed said: 'Getting the opportunity to be on Strictly is the second most amazing thing I've done this year! I feel very, very blessed and cannot wait to get my dancing shoes on.' Born in London's Canning Town, Dani has fronted several documentaries and has teamed up with her EastEnders star father Danny for podcast Live and Let Dyers and travelogue series Absolutely Dyer: Danny and Dani Do Italy.
Having made guest appearances in EastEnders and Celebrity Gogglebox, Dani won Love Island in 2018 and has since amassed over three million social media followers. Dani got married to West Ham footballer Jarrod Bowen in May this year, much to her father's delight.
It comes after Strictly Come Dancing's Gorka Marquez pulls out of show. The long-time professional announced that he would be absent for most of the 2025 series of Strictly as he'll be busy filming the Spanish version of the show.
"Due to the filming dates this means that I won't be competing with a partner this year in Strictly but I will be a part of lots of the group numbers and will be back for final weeks of the Show to support the rest of my fellow pros and their celebrities in what is going to be an AMAZING SERIES," he wrote on Instagram.
The countdown to Strictly is now officially on, with the BBC show slowly unveiling the 2025 cast this week. Earlier today, Gladiators star Harry Aikines-Aryeetey - also known as Nitro - was revealed as the first contestant to take part on CBBC.
The ex Olympian, who took part in the show's Christmas special last year, said in a statement: "After the Christmas Special, it was so nice I just had to do it twice! I'm so excited to be part of the Strictly family this series and I'm ready to give it all I've got. I'll be bringing tons of energy to light up the dance floor. Let's hope I'm as quick picking up the routines as I am on the track."
While a number of stars are currently rumoured to be taking part, fans think they've rumbled Girls Aloud star Nicola Roberts in the line-up after a huge clue was dropped. BBC Radio 2 confirmed earlier today that she is stopping by tomorrow's breakfast show and has some "news" to share.
"I would die she is literally my favourite singer," one fan wrote online. Another said: "I would SCREAM!"
It's been an eventful few weeks for Strictly in the lead up to the new series, with bosses reportedly launching an investigation into claims that two of its stars took cocaine. Law firm Pinsent Mason has been hired by the BBC to look into the allegations.
A source told the Sun, following the breakout news: "The BBC is taking the allegations really seriously. Bosses are aware of the two stars in question and have a duty of care to make sure they're OK."
They added: "As per BBC policy, the option of specialised professional support is on the table and will be offered. While drug testing won't happen on the main show, bosses are considering bringing in random checks for the tour next year."
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