Strictly Come Dancing 2025 line-up update as BBC show legend speaks out

Edinburgh Live

09-07-2025

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The countdown for Strictly Come Dancing has officially begun as rumoured celebrities have begun circulating online.
The BBC show usually airs in September, but the line-up of contestants often drops a month before, meaning fans will not have long to find out who will be competing for the Glitterball.
Currently, Vicky Pattison, Paul C Brunson, Helen Flanagan, and Ashley Cain have been speculated about, although nothing has been confirmed.
During Wednesday's instalment of Good Morning Britain, former Strictly judge Arlene Phillips touched on some of the names people are suggesting could be seen taking to the dancefloor.
ITV host Susanna Reid said: "What do you think, the son of the Queen, Tom Parker Bowles, potentially might be part of the Strictly line-up?"
(Image: David M. Benett/for Fortnum & Mason)
Arlene replied: "I think, today royalty doesn't quite have the reverence that it had, so we think of Tom Parker Bowles as just someone who cooks, I think, and is fabulous.
"You don't really connect him to royalty, and he'll just be on there, if he's on, working like everybody else, to try to win."
Susanna added that apparently Queen Camilla is a huge fan of the long-running BBC dance show.
(Image: Getty Images)
She commented: "Of course, I suppose what the producers are hoping is that she will be a family member who comes and sits in the front row with the King!"
Arlene said: "Of course! They would love it, everyone would love it. They'd come along and watch Strictly, I mean anybody who is anybody watches Strictly anyway, this will just elevate it that little bit more."
The 82-year-old was a judge on the BBC show from when it first began in 2004 until benign replaced in 2008.
(Image: ITV)
However, she revealed that fans of the programme continue to approach her and praise her appearance on the show, getting her mixed up with Shirley Ballas.
She said: "I cannot tell you how many times I'll get on an aeroplane and they say, 'Oh welcome. I love you Shirley'. No, I'm not. I was there, yeah that happens."
Although no confirmed date has been set for Strictly Come Dancing, it's expected to air in autumn.
Good Morning Britain is available to watch on ITVX.