Strictly Come Dancing 2025 line-up so far as first nine stars announced for new series
As of Wednesday morning (August 13), nine celebrities have been confirmed, with more names yet to be announced.
Returning to host the show will be Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman. The judging panel will once again feature Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Shirley Ballas and Anton Du Beke.
Fans of the hit series will also be pleased to know which professional dancers are returning to the ballroom this year. Back in April, it was confirmed that Amy Dowden, Nadiya Bychkova, Karen Hauer, Nikita Kuzmin, Neil Jones, Gorka Marquez and Luba Mushtuk would be part of the 2025 series.
Also returning to the dance floor are Dianne Buswell, Katya Jones, Jowita Przystal, Johannes Radebe, Michelle Tsiakkas, Aljaž Škorjanec, Kai Widdrington, Nancy Xu, Carlos Gu, Lauren Oakley and Vito Coppola, reports the Manchester Evening News.
Joining them will be two brand new professional dancers, So You Think You Can Dance winner Alexis Warr and Australia's Dancing With The Stars' Julian Caillon.
Below are the first nine celebrities who have been announced. We'll keep updating the list as more names are confirmed.
Harry Aikines-Aryeetey.
(Image: BBC)
Harry is most recognised for his appearances on the Bradley and Barney Walsh edition of Gladiators, where he competes under the moniker Nitro and faces off against contestants in demanding physical contests.
The multiple gold medal-winning Team GB athlete, who became the first competitor to claim gold in both the 100m and 200m at the World Youth Championships, has previously featured on Strictly when he participated in last year's festive special alongside Nancy Xu.
Harry revealed: "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."
Dani Dyer.
(Image: BBC)
The offspring of former EastEnders actor Danny Dyer gained prominence on Love Island's fourth series, which she claimed victory in alongside her former partner Jack Fincham.
After her triumph on the reality romance programme, Dani has presented documentaries including Is This Anxiety?
, has collaborated with her father Danny on the podcast Live and Let Dyers and has featured in guest roles on EastEnders and Celebrity Gogglebox.
With more than three million social media fans, she is an accomplished writer with her first book What Would Dani Do, and married West Ham player Jarrod Bowen in May this year. Hinting at what's to come, she expressed: "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."
Alex Kingston.
Fans of Doctor Who will be thrilled with the announcement from Alex Kingston, who portrayed River Song on the BBC sci-fi series from 2008 until 2015.
Beyond her adventures with the Doctor, Alex gained recognition as Dr Elizabeth Corday in the internationally acclaimed TV drama ER, earning a SAG award during her eight-year tenure on the medical show.
Other television roles for Ralph Fiennes' former wife include Douglas Is Cancelled, Treason, Gilmore Girls, Boudica, Lost in Austen, Dodger, A Discovery of Witches, Law and Order: Special Victims Unit, and Arrow.
Upon joining Strictly Come Dancing, Alex simply told the BBC: "Aaaaagghhh! ! ! ! ! !".
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink.
(Image: Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink is a Chelsea legend)
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, renowned for scoring goals in the Premier League and across Europe, is trading his football boots for dancing shoes.
The retired Dutch footballer played for Leeds United, Atlético Madrid and Chelsea, earning a reputation for his power, pace, and precision during his playing career.
Since hanging up his boots, Jimmy has become a regular face in football punditry for major UK sports networks, managed clubs like Burton Albion and Northampton Town and even served as an assistant coach for the England national team.
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink commented on his Strictly participation: "Swapping the pitch for the ballroom is certainly not something I've done before but I'm looking forward to tackling a fun challenge! Bring on a new type of footwork, with hopefully no own goals."
Belvinder Sopal.
Balvinder Sopal was announced as the fifth celebrity taking part in the latest series of Strictly Come Dancing. The performer, whose work encompasses theatre, radio, cinema and television, is best recognised for portraying the notorious Suki Kaur Panesar (now Unwin) on EastEnders since 2019.
In her role as Suki, she has been central to some of EastEnders' most compelling and critically praised storylines, from her involvement with 'The Six' to her turbulent romance with Eve Unwin.
Prior to EastEnders, Balvinder featured in numerous well-known TV programmes in different roles, including a guest starring role in Call The Midwife series seven, Doctors, and Waterloo Road.
Regarding her Strictly participation, Balvinder commented: "Being on Strictly is a dream that I held on to, with no proof that it would ever happen. Working on EastEnders and being a part of Strictly Come Dancing is the stuff that dreams are made of. I'm far too excited to put into words how I feel but I'm incredibly excited at the prospect of dancing across the ballroom!".
George Clarke.
(Image: BBC)
YouTube sensation George Clarke was announced as the sixth contestant for the 2025 lineup on BBC Radio One's Going Home Show. With more than 600,000 followers, George maintains close ties with internet phenomenon The Sidemen.
Also recognised as George Clarkey, George started dabbling with video content during his teenage years, rapidly realising the strength of wit and candour to forge connections with audiences globally.
Building a substantial fanbase across YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram, with followers attracted to his genuine nature and razor-sharp comedic timing, George co-presents The Useless Hotline Podcast alongside Max Balegde.
"Never thought I'd say this... but I'm doing Strictly! Honestly, I've got no idea what I'm doing but I'm excited to get stuck in... and potentially fall over a fair bit," he quipped.
La Voix.
(Image: BBC)
RuPaul's Drag Race UK sensation La Voix has been confirmed as the seventh participant to inject additional sparkle and elegance to the nation's beloved dance floor.
A dynamo of magnetism, comedy, and cabaret, La Voix captivated the programme and won over viewers' affections during the series.
Securing four RuPeter Badges and earning a spot in the Grand Finale, she claimed the runner-up position and swiftly established herself as a crowd favourite.
She's well-versed in television appearances, having featured on ITV's Queens For The Night, and wowing the panel as a semi-finalist on Britain's Got Talent where judge Alesha Dixon proclaimed her "a force to be reckoned with". "I've performed for royalty, RuPaul and Simon Cowell, but nothing fills me with more excitement (and quite a bit of terror) than the thought of dancing in front of millions on live Saturday night TV. Strictly is a national institution and I can't wait to get started. All that's left to say is: good luck to my partner! Here's hoping they can help me go from La Voix into La Danse'", she quipped.
Chris Robshaw.
(Image: BBC)
Chris Robshaw was revealed as the eighth celebrity on Strictly during Scott Mills' BBC Radio 2 programme. The former England rugby skipper will take to the renowned ballroom in just a matter of weeks.
He initially joined his boyhood club, Harlequins RFC, directly from school and became captain aged 23. He earned 66 caps for England and led the national side 43 times, guiding them to a Six Nations Grand Slam triumph in 2016.
After being confirmed for the 2025 line-up, he confessed: "This is about as far out of my comfort zone as it gets! I'm hoping to take my dad dancing to a whole new level, and my mum can't wait to drag me along to her Zumba class. Let's see if a rugby sidestep works in the Cha Cha Cha."
Ellie Goldstein.
(Image: BBC)
BBC Breakfast disclosed that Ellie Goldstein has been confirmed as the ninth celebrity joining the fresh series of Strictly Come Dancing in the coming weeks. As a pioneering model, actor and influencer, she made history as the first model with Down syndrome to feature on the cover of British Vogue.
Her modelling career has also seen her star in major campaigns for brands such as Gucci Beauty and Adidas.
Two years ago, Ellie collaborated with Mattel to launch the first ever Barbie with Down syndrome, and more recently her acting has taken the spotlight, with a guest lead role in CBBC's Mallory Towers.
"I'm absolutely over the moon to be joining the cast and pros of Strictly Come Dancing this year. It's a show I've loved watching for so long, and the chance to now be part of it feels like a dream. I know it's going to be challenging, but I'm ready to do it with the glitter and glamour and make some magic on that dance floor. Let the Strictly journey begin!", she enthused.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
5 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Early Strictly Come Dancing favourite Dani Dyer sparks 'fix row' as her past dance experience is revealed
Strictly Come Dancing's Dani Dyer has sparked a 'fix row' as her past dance experience has been revealed. The former Love Island star, 29, is the early favourite to lift the Glitter Ball trophy with bookies having her at 4/1, while YouTuber George Clarke is next on 6/1. But now it has been revealed in an unearthed passage from her autobiography, Dani boasted about being a 'qualified dancer', with fans questioning if she has an unfair advantage. Last year trained dancer Tasha Ghouri faced a backlash for her training, as well as JLS star JB Gill. The daughter of acting legend Danny Dyer said in her 2019 book that she would put 'qualified dancer' under the list of qualifications on her CV. Writing in her book, Dani wrote about how she went to theatre school at weekends from the age of 2 to 14. She said: 'It was called O'Farrell's Stage School and I was a really good little dancer. 'I'm not a bad singer but it was the dance stuff I loved more - jazz, tap, ballet, modern. I'd get home and prance around the house.' Daily Mail has contacted Dani's representatives and BBC for comment. Dani, who wed husband Jarrod Bowen this year, shot to fame in 2018 on the ITV2 dating show when she bagged the £50k prize with Jack Fincham. Speaking about taking part in the new series of Strictly, Dani 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.' She joins a host of stars in the lineup which also includes actress Alex Kingston, 62, former footballer Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, 53, trailblazing Down syndrome model Ellie Goldstein, 23, and Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, 36. Strictly's new series has been hit by a string of scandals in the lead-up to its return, including revelations that the broadcaster had hired a law firm to probe allegations of drug taking by two individuals. One of the stars involved in the drugs probe was also suspected of drinking while working on the show after crew smelt alcohol on their breath. The Sun alleged that it was widely known that the pair, who have not been named, took the Class A substance, and that one of these Strictly performers was known for being a drinker. The publication have now reported that junior members of the team were asked to keep an eye on them during last year's show and to look for signs that they may have been boozing during work hours. Over the weekend, a staffer also claimed they were offered cocaine by one of the show's stars. He told The Sun: 'The main partying is on site at Elstree after filming of the live show has finished. Boozing and drug taking goes on until 3am, sometimes 4am. The smoking area outside is a hive of activity. Cocaine gets taken there'. He went on to claim that drug use was so common on the show, that when he found a suspicious bag of white powder, an unfazed senior producer told him to 'leave it on my desk' as the incident failed to raise even an eyebrow. The staff member also said the show's annual special filmed at the Blackpool Tower Ballroom was an especially 'big party night' full of debauchery. 'I was offered cocaine by a star at an after show party. Lots of people would go back to the hotel. It was a closed-off party, just for the cast and crew. It went on until 5am, even to 6am, it was insane. People were wired and you could see it in their eyes'. A BBC spokesperson told Daily Mail: 'We have clear protocols and policies in place for dealing with any serious complaint raised with us. We would always encourage people to speak to us if they have concerns. It would not be appropriate for us to comment further.' The shock allegations come amid a long period of controversy for the BBC and Strictly over the past year or so. In July last year, more than six months after quitting the show citing 'personal reasons', actress Amanda Abbington accused pro dancer Giovanni Pernice of 'unnecessary, cruel and mean behaviour' during their time dancing together on Strictly. Giovanni rejected the claims immediately, and a BBC investigation ruled in September that her claims of physical aggression and threatening behaviour were not upheld. When BBC bosses published their report into Giovanni's behaviour, it cleared him of the most serious allegations of physical aggression, but upheld verbal bullying and harassment. Complaints of verbal bullying and harassment meant the BBC issued an apology to Amanda, but Giovanni said he was 'pleased the report has not found any evidence of threatening or abusive behaviour'. Elsewhere, the show was plunged into crisis after Welsh opera singer Wynne Evans made a controversial joke during his time preparing for the Strictly tour in January. He used a vile sexual innuendo and was also caught up in a 'wandering hand' incident with dance partner Katya Jones , who seemed to remove his arm from her lower waist on the show. After the BBC launched an investigation into his conduct, bosses decided not to renew his radio contract for his show. The TV star confirmed in May that they will not be renewing his one-year rolling contract following a four-month investigation after the inappropriate comments made during his time on Strictly. Elsewhere, in further scandals for the BBC, Gregg Wallace was recently dismissed from MasterChef after more than 40 complaints against him were upheld following a BBC investigation. While his co-star John Torode was also sacked after two decades over allegations that he used the N-word, which he claims to have 'absolutely no recollection' of. In separate further controversy, it's recently been reported that Naga Munchetty could face an investigation from BBC bosses after she was accused of bullying a junior colleague. The BBC Breakfast host, 50, has been placed 'under review' while bosses consider escalating complaints to a formal investigation, The Sun reports. A source said higher-ups had heard from several colleagues and logged concerns over her 'hard' and 'bullying' behaviour on the breakfast show, as well as her Radio 5 Live show.
Scottish Sun
6 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Destination X reveals savage ‘sabotage' twist as player handed game-changing advantage ahead of brutal cliffhanger
DESTINATION X unveiled a brutal 'sabotage' twist - with one player receiving a huge advantage amid a savage cliffhanger. The BBC programme sees a group of strangers try to figure out where they are in Europe through a series of clues in a bid to win £100,000. 5 Viewers have been gripped by new competition series Destination X Credit: BBC 5 Host Rob Brydon revealed a game-changing twist to one player Credit: BBC 5 Josh received massive power within the competitive game Credit: BBC Contestants will try any tactic to win and the latest episode saw one given a massive advantage. The players balance champagne glasses on a tray - while answering tough questions about their opponents. Josh, a 26-year-old pilot, emerged as the victor and soon learned of a huge twist. Host Rob Brydon privately informed Josh that he would have the power to sabotage a rival. Elimination occurs when the line-up place their 'X' markers based on where they believe themselves to be. Josh received the ability to move someone's 'X' by 250km, which could effectively ensure their exit. Reacting to the game-changing news, he said: "I feel like I've got a lot of influence on the game, which I like having." Josh also didn't have to take part in the next challenge - but got to see a big clue alongside the winners. Elsewhere, he identified fellow players Nick, Judith and Claire as potential targets for sabotage. Although Josh seemingly planned to choose Nick, viewers will have to learn the outcome. Destination X viewers slam show for being 'too easy' after they guess location - as contestant makes huge clue blunder This episode ended on a tense cliffhanger - with Rob having dropped a huge bombshell. Namely, that the bottom two players' X markers were only 600 metres apart. One viewer wrote online: "The sabotage is not fair." Another remarked: "Sorry but why did Josh get to win a ridiculously overpowered advantage AND get the winning clue just from the standard side game??" Whether Nick - who was identified by the others as the biggest threat - has his exit sealed or survives to play on remains to be seen. Viewers will also have to wait to discover where exactly the latest Destination X is. Players and fans alike seem to agree it's Italy, but are divided on the precise spot. One person wrote on X: "They're defo on the south of Italy near Sicily." Another penned: "Changed me mind, Italy, Venice?" A third chimed in: "Donatella Versace. That drink looks like a Campari Spritz. Milan?" Destination X continues on BBC One and iPlayer. 5 Josh had a big decision to make Credit: BBC
The Sun
6 hours ago
- The Sun
Destination X reveals savage ‘sabotage' twist as player handed game-changing advantage ahead of brutal cliffhanger
DESTINATION X unveiled a brutal 'sabotage' twist - with one player receiving a huge advantage amid a savage cliffhanger. The BBC programme sees a group of strangers try to figure out where they are in Europe through a series of clues in a bid to win £100,000. 5 5 5 Contestants will try any tactic to win and the latest episode saw one given a massive advantage. The players balance champagne glasses on a tray - while answering tough questions about their opponents. Josh, a 26-year-old pilot, emerged as the victor and soon learned of a huge twist. Host Rob Brydon privately informed Josh that he would have the power to sabotage a rival. Elimination occurs when the line-up place their 'X' markers based on where they believe themselves to be. Josh received the ability to move someone's 'X' by 250km, which could effectively ensure their exit. Reacting to the game-changing news, he said: "I feel like I've got a lot of influence on the game, which I like having." Josh also didn't have to take part in the next challenge - but got to see a big clue alongside the winners. Elsewhere, he identified fellow players Nick, Judith and Claire as potential targets for sabotage. Although Josh seemingly planned to choose Nick, viewers will have to learn the outcome. Destination X viewers slam show for being 'too easy' after they guess location - as contestant makes huge clue blunder This episode ended on a tense cliffhanger - with Rob having dropped a huge bombshell. Namely, that the bottom two players' X markers were only 600 metres apart. One viewer wrote online: "The sabotage is not fair." Another remarked: "Sorry but why did Josh get to win a ridiculously overpowered advantage AND get the winning clue just from the standard side game??" Whether Nick - who was identified by the others as the biggest threat - has his exit sealed or survives to play on remains to be seen. Viewers will also have to wait to discover where exactly the latest Destination X is. Players and fans alike seem to agree it's Italy, but are divided on the precise spot. One person wrote on X: "They're defo on the south of Italy near Sicily." A third chimed in: "Donatella Versace. That drink looks like a Campari Spritz. Milan?" Destination X continues on BBC One and iPlayer. 5 5
