Strictly Come Dancing star 'drops major hint' who his partner is weeks before launch
YouTube star George Clarke has revealed which Strictly Come Dancing pro he's already met ahead of the 2025 launch show
Strictly Come Dancing star George Clarke has appeared to drop a major hint over who he'll be paired up with for the upcoming series.
The YouTuber is joining the likes of Ellie Goldstein, Thomas Skinner, Vicky Pattison and Neighbours' Stefan Dennis on the dancefloor this year.
They'll be competing against Gladiators legend Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, Game of Thrones actor Kristian Nairn, Love Island winner Dani Dyer, Doctor Who star Alex Kingston and footballers Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Karen Carney.
Lorraine star Ross King, EastEnders actress Balvinder Sopal, George Clarke, La Voix, and Chris Robshaw complete the 2025 line-up.
Though the reveals have all been announced, fans have to patiently wait to see which pro dancers they'll be paired up with, although rehearsals are already underway.
This year's celebrity contestants include a rugby player, a drag queen, a social media influencer and a Game of Thrones actor
(Image: BBC)
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Reigning champion Dianne Buswell (who lifted the glitterball trophy with Chris McCausland last year), will be returning alongside Amy Dowden, who had to pull out last year due to an injury following her cancer battle.
Meanwhile, Gorka Marquez has confirmed he will not have a celebrity partner, and two new pros, Alexis Warr and Julian Caillon, have joined the mix.
Teasing which dancers he has already met, George appeared to drop a major hint during an episode of his The Useless Hotline podcast.
Discussing the audition process, he revealed he was partnered with Lauren Oakley and rehearsed with her for an hour.
George Clarke is one of the stars taking to the Strictly ballroom
(Image: Getty Images for AELTC)
"I've not met anyone apart from, I believe her name's Lauren, who was the pro that I met," he said.
"We had an interview for it, so it's like an hour long interview, and then like an hour long dance session just to see where you're at.'
George did however say he has yet to meet all the others and find out which professional he would be confirmed to be dancing with.
Lauren, who stepped in to dance with JB Gill last year and made it all the way to the final after Amy Dowden was forced to withdraw, and has partnered with Krishnan Guru-Murthy in the past, was among the pros celebrating George's announcement, writing, 'Yessss,' on the Instagram reveal post.
Lauren Oakley stepped in for Amy Dowden last year and partnered with JB Gill
(Image: Getty Images)
Following the news that he was part of the 2025 line-up, YouTube star George said: '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."
Fans have already thrown their support behind him, with one saying: 'So iconic. The mums are going to eat you UP.'
Another wrote: 'So excited for it! I know where my votes are going!'
Strictly is weeks away from a return
(Image: PA)
Fellow YouTube stars Caspar Lee and Joe Sugg also shared their support with ex-Strictly contestant Joe writing, 'This is going to be brilliant,' while Caspar said: 'I reckon your quickstep is faster than your quick wit (see what I did there).'
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.
Earlier this year, professional dancers Amy, Gorka, Lauren, Nadiya Bychkova, Karen Hauer, Nikita Kuzmin, Neil Jones and Luba Mushtuk received confirmation of their involvement in the 2025 series.
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Dianne, Katya Jones, Jowita Przystal, Johannes Radebe, Michelle Tsiakkas, Aljaž Škorjanec, Kai Widdrington, Nancy Xu, Carlos Gu and Vito Coppola are also returning to the ballroom once again.
Strictly Come Dancing returns to BBC One and iPlayer next month
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