BBC Strictly major shakeup as two new stars confirmed for 2025
The countdown to the next series of BBC Strictly Come Dancing is now well and truly on, with the pro dancers being confirmed for series 23. After much speculation over the past week about who will hit the famous dance floor in the autumn, rumours were circulating about the latest round of celebrities set to take part, and which pros will return.
New dancers were being tipped for the next season, including So You Think You Can Dance star Alexis Warr and Australia's Dancing With The Stars season three's Julian Caillon, and now it's been confirmed by BBC bosses they are part of the 2025 line-up.
An official announcement on Instagram reads: 'Please welcome our two new Strictly Professional Dancers! Alexis Warr and Julian Caillon join the Strictly Come Dancing family when the series returns this autumn on #iPlayer."
As the news was revealed, the new pros were spotted heading to BBC rehearsal studios in London alongside the likes of fan favourites Gorka Marquez, Nancy Xu, Kai Widdington, Nadiya Bychkov and last year's winner, Dianne Buswell.
Co-star Neil Jones was quick to reply to the official announcement online as he sent well wishes to his new colleagues. He said: "Oh @julian_caillon it was going so well until you said Chelsea FC but anyway. Welcome to the fam and @alexis_warr it's a pleasure to welcome another redhead see you both in rehearsals."
Nancy Xu added: "Welcome to the family can't wait to start it!!!!! @alexis_warr @julian_caillon.
And Luba Mushtuk said: "Congratulations @alexis_warr @julian_caillon. Exciting times ahead!!!!! Looking forward to meeting you both very soon."
Gorka soon chimed in as he said: "Welcome to the team guys! @alexis_warr @julian_caillon."
Karen Hauer added: "Welcome to strictly!! @alexis_warr @julian_caillon."
Also pictured making their way to rehearsal studios were Michelle Tsiakkas, Lauren Oakley, Amy Dowden, and Johannes Radebe.
As the dancers got back to work, Amy revealed on Sunday night that she was feeling "grateful" to be returning for her ninth year on the BBC dance-floor. The Welsh star was forced to withdraw early during last year's series due to an injury following a gruelling cancer battle in 2023. Amy, 34, underwent a mastectomy and chemotherapy after receiving her breast cancer diagnosis in 2023.
In a post to her 705k followers on Instagram, Amy said: "Feeling grateful, grounded, and SO excited for @bbcstrictly rehearsals to start tomorrow.
"Year 9 – let's go!"
The show is set to get into swing in September and rumoured celebrities set to take part include Stacey Solomon, Paul C Brunson, Dani Dyer, Ashley Cain, and Angellica Bell.
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The confirmed pros are: Amy Dowden, Aljaz Skorjanec, Dianne Buswell, Nikita Kuzmin, Gorka Márquez, Lauren Oakley, Carlos Gu, Johannes Radebe, Neil Jones, Jowita Przystał, Kai Widdrington, Karen Hauer, Katya Jones, Vito Coppola, Nancy Xu, Nadiya Bychkova, Michelle Tsiakkas and Luba Mushtuk.
Nadiya posted an Instagram video expressing her delight to be returning when it was announced last week: "SO EXCITING!! Thankful to be back on the biggest show on TV. I can't wait for another spin around the Strictly sun.
"Looking forward to working with the new pros too... they are going to LOVE it. Two of the things I enjoy most about life are dancing and teaching, and that's what the show is all about, so here's to another season of magical moments and memories."
Strictly Come Dancing returns for its 23rd series with a launch show on Saturday, September 13 at 7:20 PM
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