Strictly line-up 2025: Gladiators' Nitro is the first confirmed celebrity
As ever, rumours have been swirling around who will be taking part. Among those reported to be hitting the dancefloor are Love Island star Dani Dyer, Stefan Dennis – better known as Paul from Neighbours, Traitors 2024 winner Jake Brown, Mo Farah and presenter Angellica Bell.
The BBC will be hoping for a controversy-free contest after being beset by scandal in recent years. Last year Wynne Evans, the opera singer and radio presenter, was dropped by the BBC after he was accused of using 'inappropriate language' during the launch of the Strictly Come Dancing tour.
This was after the 2024 series started in crisis after allegations of bullying against professional dancer Giovanni Pernice and claims of physical and verbal abuse against dancer Graziano di Prima. New safeguarding measures were put in place and, in the end, the series proved to be a ratings success.
When is Strictly Come Dancing?
There's no confirmed date yet, but it usually begins on the third weekend of September.
Who is in the 2025 line-up so far?
Nitro from Gladiators
Olympian and multi-gold medal-winning Team GB sprinter Harry Aikines-Aryeetey was announced as the first contestant on Newsround. Since retiring from athletics, the 36-year-old has taken on a new persona as Nitro in the hugely popular reboot of Gladiators. He also took part in last year's Christmas special, where he was partnered with Nancy Xu.
He said: '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.'
Who are the professional dancers this year?
All the pros from last year will be returning. They are Dianne Buswell, Nadiya Bychkova, Amy Dowden, Karen Hauer, Katya Jones, Neil Jones, Nikita Kuzmin, Gorka Marquez, Luba Mushtuk, Jowita Przystał, Johannes Radebe, Aljaž Škorjanec, Kai Widdrington, Nancy Xu, Carlos Gu, Lauren Oakley, Michelle Tsiakkas and Vito Coppola.
They will also be joined by two new recruits: Alexis Warr, who won the 2022 American series So You Think You Can Dance, and Australian ballroom dancer and physiologist Julian Caillon.
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