BBC Strictly Come Dancing confirms three more stars for 2025 line-up
Strictly Come Dancing has confirmed three more stars for the 2025 series in a series of announcements on The One Show.
Strictly Come Dancing 2025 is just weeks away
(Image: Guy Levy/BBC/PA Wire)
The BBC has unveiled three more celebrities who will be hitting the dance floor in the 2025 series of Strictly Come Dancing.
After months of speculation, the official line-up announcements have kicked off, with Gladiators star Harry Aikines-Aryeetey being the first name revealed on Monday morning (Aug 11).
Now, The One Show's Alex Scott and Roman Kemp have confirmed the next group of stars set to strut their stuff on the dance floor.
First up was Love Island champion Dani Dyer, who confessed it had been "so hard" to keep her participation under wraps.
Discussing her family's reaction, including EastEnders icon Danny Dyer, Dani shared: "They're so excited, it's such a fun, magical show and to be asked to do it is such an honour," reports Devon Live.
Dani Dyer was the first celebrity announced on The One Show
(Image: BBC)
The mother-of-three, who recently tied the knot with footballer Jarrod Bowen, admitted she was "worried" about learning the routines and is "petrified" of appearing on live television.
Next up, Doctor Who actress Alex Kingston was announced as a contestant, admitting she was "super excited" but now feels "terrified".
The Grange Hill star - speaking via a live video link from her holiday in Italy - remembered telling former Strictly finalist Sarah Hadland how "desperate" she was to participate in Strictly, who told her "it changed her life and she would do it again in a heartbeat".
Alex Kingston joined The One Show from her holiday in Italy
(Image: BBC)
Lastly, footballer Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink was confirmed as the third celebrity to join the line-up.
The father to four girls revealed that Strictly was a part of his "home life" and he was prepared to "have a go".
"I have a little bit of rhythm," he hinted, before joking that he is "competitive" and would need to do his best to avoid receiving "some serious stick at home".
Footballer Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink has been confirmed as the fourth Strictly star
(Image: BBC)
"It's totally out of my comfort zone," he confessed.
Ahead of the official reveals, the clues of the stars taking part included a "newly wed swapping her first dance to cha-cha-cha," a star who had "travelled through time and space," and a "star player making a striking addiction" to the line-up.
They'll be following the likes of Tasha Ghouri, Pete Wicks, Sarah Hadland and JB Gill, who all took part last year, while Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell lifted the glitterball trophy.
This comes after Olympian and Gladiators star Harry, also known as Nitro, shared his delight at joining Strictly as he made the announcement while taking part in a CBBC Newsround prank.
Gladiators star Harry Aikines-Aryeetey is joining Strictly after taking part in the Christmas special
(Image: BBC Studios/Guy Levy)
The Team GB sprinter took part in the Christmas special last year and 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."
Strictly's return comes after the BBC was caught in scandals in recent years, which led to professional dancers Graziano Di Prima and Giovanni Pernice being axed from the line-up, while celebrity Wynne Evans was dropped from the live tour following "inappropriate" comments which he later apologised for.
Alex Scott and Roman Kemp hosted Monday's The One Show
(Image: BBC)
Judges Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Anton du Beke and Shirley Ballas are all set to return for 2025 alongside hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, while the professional dancers have been sharing glimpses at training on social media.
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Amy Dowden will be joining the line-up again, after having to pull out last year due to an injury following her cancer battle, while Gorka Marquez confirmed he will not have a celebrity partner.
Two new professional dancers, Alexis Warr and Julian Caillon, are also joining the series, with the BBC yet to announce which celebrities will be partnered with which pros.
Strictly Come Dancing returns to BBC One and iPlayer in September.
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