Strictly fans say 'mistake made' as first 2025 series celebrity announcement leaves them confused
Harry Aikines-Aryeetey's confirmation came during a surprise announcement on BBC
Strictly Come Dancing announced their first celebrity contestant for the upcoming series on Monday morning
(Image: BBC)
Strictly Come Dancing fans have said they have been left confused over the 2025 series' first celebrity announcement.
The popular BBC dance competition announced their first celebrity contestant for the upcoming series on Monday morning (August 11), which was Gladiators' Harry Aikines-Aryeetey. Many fans got the confirmation through Strictly's posts on Instagram and Facebook, with some believing the posts had been published as a "mistake".
It comes after it was confirmed that three celebrity contestants would be unveiled on The One Show on Monday evening, with some fans believing that they would be the first contestants to be revealed. "Uh oh... made a mistake here," one fan on social media said.
While another fan assumed the same and said: "Someone scheduled this for the wrong time", to which another viewer responded with: "Was thinking the same. Thought the first reveal was going to be on The One Show this evening".
Another fan said: "Thought they weren't supposed to be announced until after 7PM on the One Show". And another viewer remarked: "So much for ' tune in from 7pm ' ???", with another questioning: "Wonder if someone put timer on Facebook as 8am instead of 8pm !?".
Fans expected the Monday evening reveal after the official Strictly Come Dancing Instagram posted on Sunday evening (August 10) that the news would debut on the BBC One show. The video showed excited pro dancers learning the reveal was on the way, with a caption that read: "It's happening! Our #Strictly class of 2025 reveals begin tomorrow, tune-in to BBC One and iPlayer from 7pm!"
Content cannot be displayed without consent
So Harry Aikines-Aryeetey's confirmation came during a surprise early announcement, which saw the Gladiator and former Commonwealth sprinter prank CBBC Newsround viewers on Monday morning. Drawing on his reputation as a star of Gladiators: Epic Pranks, Harry appeared live in the Newsround studio disguised as "world-famous choreographer Nicky Trott", there to discuss his recent work on a scientific study into the benefits of dancing every day. For the latest TV and showbiz gossip sign up to our newsletter .
Content cannot be displayed without consent
His disguise failed to fool Newsround presenter Jenny Lawrence though, who quickly sussed out who she was really speaking to. Harry then revealed the real reason he was there: to announce to the world he's taking part in the new series of Strictly Come Dancing.
Harry's an Olympian, multi gold medal-winning Team GB sprinter, and star of Gladiators. As a sprinter he has competed at the highest level in the UK since his youth, becoming the first athlete to win gold medals at both 100 and 200 metres at the World Youth Championships, and winning the 2005 BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year award aged 17.
Harry has gone on to claim gold in the 4x100m relay at the European Championships and at the Commonwealth Games. He has competed in two Olympic games and is a three-time European Champion and two-time Commonwealth Champion.
Harry Aikines-Aryeetey's an Olympian, multi gold medal-winning Team GB sprinter, and star of Gladiators, and appeared in Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special 2024
(Image: BBC Studios/Guy Levy)
In 2023, Harry was unveiled as Nitro in the hit BBC series Gladiators, and he took part in last year's Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special partnered with Nancy Xu. Upon confirming his participation in Strictly Come Dancing, Harry expressed: "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."
Article continues below
While some fans shared their confusion, others were delighted to see the Gladiator star would be gracing the Strictly dance floor for the second time. "Love this! He will be amazing," one fan said. Former Strictly Come Dancing celebrity contestant and TV presenter Melvin Odoom also rallied behind Harry and commented: "Yes the dance moves are coming out!"
And as confirmed previously, fans will get to find out about three additional celebrity contestants that will be joining the new series of Strictly as it is unveiled live on The One Show tonight at 7pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. It has not yet been confirmed who Harry will be partnered up with, which is typically revealed at the start of the series.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
South Wales Argus
12 minutes ago
- South Wales Argus
Only Men Aloud announce Monmouth and Cwmbran tour dates
The Welsh vocal group, who gained national fame after winning the BBC One competition Last Choir Standing in 2008, will perform at the Congress Theatre in Cwmbran on November 26 and the Savoy Theatre in Monmouth on November 29. The extended tour celebrates a quarter-century of performances that have taken the group from BBC's Songs of Praise to the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games and two Royal Variety Performances. Craig Yates, an original member of Only Men Aloud and now creative director of the Aloud Charity, said: "This is a celebration tour. "We've had a wonderful time with OMA, which has really evolved over the last 25 years." The group was founded in 2000 by Tim Rhys-Evans, who is now director of music at the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama. Originally a 25-member male voice choir, Only Men Aloud now performs as an eight-piece ensemble, with members balancing the group alongside careers in pharmacy, teaching, gardening, music, and musical theatre. Their breakthrough came in 2008 when they won Last Choir Standing, catapulting them to national recognition and a series of high-profile performances, including supporting Diana Ross at Cardiff Castle. Mr Yates said: "We're all adults now, with the range of family responsibilities which come with that. "We've all got jobs and OMA is a hobby – but what a hobby to have." Fans can expect an evening of stories, choral arrangements, and energetic adaptations during the anniversary tour. The tour will begin in Cardiff on September 27 at the New Theatre, where Only Boys Aloud will join them on stage. Other tour dates include Aberystwyth, Swansea, Llandudno, Llandrindod Wells, and Newtown. The group last performed an intimate five-date show last Christmas, but Mr Yates said this run is about more than just returning to the stage. He said: "It's been amazing and we are thankful that people still really enjoy listening to and seeing us. "It's lovely to be back." Tickets are available now through the Only Men Aloud website.
Metro
2 hours ago
- Metro
EastEnders nightmare as Walford favourite takes drugs in horror scenes
EastEnders is lining up a horrific development in the ongoing dealing storyline, when Kojo Asare (Dayo Koleosho) is handed drugs. As viewers of the BBC One soap know, Ravi Gulati (Aaron Thiara) returned to the narcotics underworld when Bernie Taylor (Clair Norris) stole a significant amount of cash from the family's businesses, effectively leaving them on the brink of bankruptcy. After receiving a contact – and a stark warning – from Nicola Mitchell (Laura Doddington), he hid the stash in his car and employed associate Okie (Aayan Ibikunle Shoderu) to distribute them. Ravi then made a deal with Harry Mitchell (Elijah Holloway) to keep the vehicle in The Arches… and it wasn't long before the drugs were discovered by Kojo. Spooked by the situation, he took the drugs home and flushed them down the loo. Harry has since had to implement some damage control by working for Ravi and save his best mate's skin. Recent scenes have shown Okie lurking around Kojo's flat, adamant to use it as a base for his misbehaviour. In upcoming scenes, Ravi plans a family day out with Priya Nandra-Hart (Sophie Khan Levy) and their kids – but those plans are stunted when Okie reveals that the police have just raided their base. In a panic, Ravi decides to shift the whole operation into Kojo's flat, infuriating Harry. Back at home, Priya tears into Ravi for letting daughters Avani (Aaliyah James) down, but the row quickly turns into something a lot steamier. At long last! After, Ravi swears blind he's going to go straight and get their lives back on track. They even agree to give it another go. But with the bills stacking up and the tax man knocking at Walford East's door, it's not long before he's back in business, ramping up his drug deals behind Priya's back. Later in the week, it's Kojo's birthday and Harry's job is to keep him distracted from returning home. Over at The Vic, George (Colin Salmon) and the Knights are raising a glass for the birthday boy. But when George gets distracted, Kojo heads home – and walks straight into Okie's makeshift drugs den. Want to be the first to hear shocking EastEnders spoilers? Who's leaving Coronation Street? The latest gossip from Emmerdale? Join 10,000 soaps fans on Metro's WhatsApp Soaps community and get access to spoiler galleries, must-watch videos, and exclusive interviews. Simply click on this link, select 'Join Chat' and you're in! Don't forget to turn on notifications so you can see when we've just dropped the latest spoilers! Panicking, Okie hands him a pill in the hope it will calm him down. More Trending George later finds his brother in a bad way, and things go from bad to worse when Jack Branning (Scott Maslen) shows up and clocks that Kojo's been using – and he has no choice but to arrest him. George, convinced Harry's behind the whole mess, goes digging for answers – pulling Nicola and his daughter Gina (Francesca Henry) into the drama in the process. And while Ravi orders Harry to get Kojo back onside, Harry plays the caring friend card, promising nothing bad will happen to him. View More » Will Kojo be ok, and will George realise what is happening? MORE: EastEnders confirms new romance as two Walford favourites go on a date MORE: EastEnders' George Knight is the talk of Walford as new discovery comes to light MORE: All 42 EastEnders spoiler pictures for next week as pregnancy secret is exposed
Scottish Sun
2 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Nicola Peltz-Beckham poses TOPLESS with her glam mum, 70, as she shares unseen snaps from wedding vow renewal
The American actress has shared a selection of unseen and intimate snaps from their special day PRETTY PELTZ Nicola Peltz-Beckham poses TOPLESS with her glam mum, 70, as she shares unseen snaps from wedding vow renewal Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) NICOLA Peltz-Beckham has posed topless with her very glam 70-year-old mum in unseen snaps from her and Brooklyn's recent vow renewal. Nicola, 30, and Brooklyn, 26, said "I do" for a second time earlier this month after keeping their distance from his famous family. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 6 Nicola Peltz-Beckham was seen posing with her mum Claudia Credit: Instagram 6 Nicola was seemingly topless for the snaps Credit: Instagram 6 Nicola has shared a selection of snaps from the vow renewal on her social media Credit: Instagram 6 Brooklyn and Nicola said 'I do' again on August 2 Credit: Instagram And now the Bates Motel actress has shared a series of snaps from their big day where her family turned out in their masses, and The Beckhams were nowhere to be seen. Among the slew of snaps that Nicola shared on her Instagram on Monday were several of her posing with her mum Claudia Peltz, who is a former fashion model In two of the photos, Nicola and Claudia, 70, were seen posing in a mirror with one another. Nicola, who was getting ready to walk down the aisle again, wore only a pair of tights as she went topless for the cheeky snap. Read more about Nicola ROUND TWO Brooklyn Beckham and Nicola Peltz share first photos of wedding vow renewal Standing beside her mum, with much of her body shielded, Nicola displayed her svelte frame as she smiled. Her mum could be seen holding a black dress in front of her as her daughter held her hair back. MUM AND DAUGHTER DUO Fans went wild over the mum and daughter duo. "No I can't. You and mom," said one person in the comments section. A second swooned: "Omg you and Claudia. Obsessed!" "Your mum is so beautiful. You two Angels," added a third. Brooklyn Beckham & Nicola Peltz 'renew wedding vows' after 3 years of marriage "Awww congratulations on renewing your vows. Your mama is beautiful lady x," said a fourth. Meanwhile, other fans and critics questioned why Nicola's family was present at the vow renewal, but Brooklyn's was not. "What about Beckham family?" asked one. "Where is your husbands family?" echoed another. 'FINAL KICK IN THE TEETH' Rumours of a family feud between the couple and The Beckhams have been rife after the loved up couple failed to attend dad David's 50th birthday party. The couple, who first got married in April 2022 after dating for three years, said "I do" again at the start of August 2025 in a vow renewal ceremony. In the photos shared by the couple on Instagram, they are surrounded by Nicola's family and friends. The ceremony was even officiated by Nicola's father, Nelson Peltz, 83. A source told The Sun of David and Victoria's reaction to the vow renewal after they found out about the ceremony on a US sit. They told us: 'This was the final kick in the teeth for David and Victoria. 'Seeing Nelson [Nicola's father] having such a pivotal role at the ceremony was heartbreaking for David especially. "Not one member of the 30-plus extended family knew about the wedding, or were invited. 'His grandparents are devastated too as Brooklyn has always been so close to them." 'CRUEL AND SPITEFUL' The source continued: "At the original wedding, for example, Liberty - the daughter of Victoria's sister, Louise — was a bridesmaid but even she has been cut off now. "The rift runs far deeper than people realise. "It feels cruel and spiteful. This is no longer a game. It has gone beyond all that." 'This is a family who feel they have lost their precious boy - and see no way back. Honestly, they are now questioning why he even wants to keep the 'Beckham' surname - will he revert to Peltz? "August 2nd 2025 - is this the day Brooklyn formally declared himself no longer a part of the Beckham family? 'It certainly feels like it.' 6 Nicola and Brooklyn have seemingly distanced themselves from his family Credit: Instagram
