Latest news with #StrictlyComeDancingChristmasSpecial
Graziadaily
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Graziadaily
Strictly Come Dancing 2025: Everything We Know About Gladiators Star Nitro
He may be more used to being tested on his speed, but Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, better recognised as Gladiators star Nitro, will have to swap his lightning-fast reflexes for the Quickstep after being announced as the first star for the new series of Strictly Come Dancing. It comes eight months after the Olympian and gold medal-winning Team GB sprinter took part in last year's Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special, where he came joint second with partner Nancy Xu. 'After the Christmas Special, it was so nice I just had to do it twice!' he says. '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.' Harry made his surprise announcement on Newsround with a prank, disguised as world-renowned choreographer Nicky Trott. But presenter Jenny Lawrence soon rumbled onto his real identity – and Harry dropped the news. Harry is a world and Commonwealth sprinting champion and Gladiators star. Harry was born on 29 August 1988, making him 36. Harry Aikines-Aryeetey is married to wife Lauren, with whom he has daughter Aubree-Isla. Harry is an Olympic sprinter and represented Great Britain at the Rio Olympics in 2016. He first won a silver medal in the 100m at the 2004 Commonwealth Youth Games and became the first athlete to win gold medals at both 100m and 200m at the World Youth Championships. Following the accolade, he was named the BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year in 2005. He was chosen for Team GB at the 2009 World Championships in Athletics where he joined the 4 x 100m relay team. He became British champion after he won the 100m at the 2020 British Athletics Championships. 2022 saw him winning gold at the 100m relays at the European Championships in Munich and Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. Harry appeared on Celebs On The Farm in 2021, finishing as runner-up. He joined Gladiators for the TV show reboot in 2023, also starring in spin-off Epic Pranks, and also took part on Celebrity MasterChef in September 2024. He participated in the 2024 Christmas Special of Strictly, alongside professional dancer Nancy Xu, where he finished joint second with Tamzin Outhwaite. Harry was awarded a top score of 37 for his street-commercial dance to The Waitresses' festive hit Christmas Wrapping.
Daily Record
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
BBC Strictly announces first celebrity for 2025 lineup as Gladiators star confirmed
The BBC is unveiling the celebrity line-up for Strictly Come Dancing 2025 The BBC has confirmed the first celebrity in the Strictly Come Dancing line up of 2025. Olympic champion and Gladiators star Harry Aikines-Aryeetey will take to the famous dancefloor for the new series in the autumn. The news was first revealed on Newsround this morning (Monday). Harry appeared in the CBBC studio where he was dressed up as world-famous "choreographer" called Nicky Trott, who was said to be there to talk about a new scientific study about the benefits to health brought by dancing. Presenter Jenny Lawrence quickly realised it was a prank and who she was really talking to, and Harry revealed the real reason he was there - to announce his Strictly stint. Sprinter Harry, who took part in last year's Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special with Nancy Xu, 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." Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. Get all the big headlines, pictures, analysis, opinion and video on the stories that matter to you. Follow us on Twitter @Daily_Record - the official Daily Record Twitter account - real news in real time.
Metro
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
Strictly confirms Gladiators legend as first celebrity in BBC 2025 line-up
The first celebrity for Strictly Come Dancing's 2025 line-up has been confirmed as a Gladiator icon. Olympian and star of BBC's Gladiators, Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, is the first famous face who will grace the Strictly ballroom this autumn. The TV personality already took part in last year's Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special with pro-partner Nancy Xu and now he is back for round two. '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,' he said in a statement. Wake up to find news on your TV shows in your inbox every morning with Metro's TV Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your show in the link we'll send you so we can get TV news tailored to you. The multi-gold-medal-winning Team GB sprinter was announced as Nitro in the high-stakes BBC gameshow in 2023. And he will no doubt be bringing all his skills to the dance floor. More Trending The next three celebrity contestants will be announced later today on The One Show at 7pm. Strictly Come Dancing returns on September 20, 2025. View More » More to come… Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Strictly in fresh scandal after staffer claims they were 'offered cocaine by show star' MORE: Jamie Borthwick's EastEnders return 'confirmed' after three-month ban for disabled slur MORE: Which Strictly pros are competing this year after Gorka Márquez news devastates fans?
Scottish Sun
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
EastEnders star admits she's ‘unemployed' two years after quitting soap and love split
The actress is best known for playing Janine Butcher in EastEnders LOVING LIFE EastEnders star admits she's 'unemployed' two years after quitting soap and love split TV STAR Charlie Brooks has admitted to being 'unemployed' two years after quitting EastEnders - and she loves it. The actress, best known for playing Janine Butcher in EastEnders, took to Instagram to talk about life since leaving the BBC soap. Advertisement 4 Charlie Brooks is best known for playing Janine Butcher in EastEnders Credit: Instagram 4 Charlie has admitted she has been "unemployed" for the last two years Credit: BBC She wrote: 'Life is good. As someone who is generally validated by work…Turns out being at home, chilling with my dog, taking long walks, reforming, reading… '...and actually getting to hang out with my friends doing everything and nothing makes me really f***ing happy.' Charlie left the soap in December 2022 and since then, she has been seen attending gigs and spending time with her family. The 43-year-old actress portrayed the role of Janine Butcher on and off from 1999 until 2022. Advertisement The character was famed for killing Barry Evans back in 2004. In scenes three years ago, Janine reignited her feud with Kat (Jessie Wallace) and Stacey (Lacey Turner), where Janine almost killed the former's son in an accidental fire. The character's manipulative ways were also behind the split of Mick (Danny Dyer) and Linda Carter (Kellie Bright) as she wanted him all to herself. In her exit storyline, she was arrested after driving a car off a cliff, which led to the supposed death of her newest husband Mick. Advertisement Outside of the soap, Charlie won the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special in 2011 and took the title of Queen of the Jungle in the twelfth series of I'm a Me Out of Here! one year later in 2012. Most recently, she appeared on the 17th series of Dancing On Ice at the start of the year, partnering with professional skater Eric Radford. Charlie Brooks reflects on her acting career and starting out at 15 She was eliminated from the competition in the fifth week. Back in February, Charlie also split from boyfriend James Fuller just weeks after they went public with their relationship. Advertisement Charlie is mum to 20-year-old daughter Kiki who she shares with Ibiza nightclub owner Tony Truman. She and Tony split just two years after Kiki was born but they are on very good previously revealed Tony lives in a flat above her and their daughter. 4 The 43-year-old appeared on Dancing On Ice at the start of the year Credit: Getty 4 Charlie was eliminated in the fifth week of Dancing On Ice Credit: Getty
The Irish Sun
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
EastEnders star admits she's ‘unemployed' two years after quitting soap and love split
TV STAR Charlie Brooks has admitted to being 'unemployed' two years after quitting EastEnders - and she loves it. The actress, best known for playing Janine Butcher in EastEnders, took to Instagram to talk about life since leaving the BBC soap. Advertisement 4 Charlie Brooks is best known for playing Janine Butcher in EastEnders Credit: Instagram 4 Charlie has admitted she has been "unemployed" for the last two years Credit: BBC She wrote: 'Life is good. As someone who is generally validated by work…Turns out being at home, chilling with my dog, taking long walks, reforming, reading… '...and actually getting to hang out with my friends doing everything and nothing makes me really f***ing happy.' Charlie left the soap in December 2022 and since then, she has been seen attending gigs and spending time with her family. The 43-year-old actress portrayed the role of Janine Butcher on and off from 1999 until 2022. Advertisement Read more on EastEnders The character was famed for killing Barry Evans back in 2004. In scenes three years ago, Janine reignited her feud with Kat (Jessie Wallace) and Stacey (Lacey Turner), where Janine almost killed the former's son in an accidental fire. The character's manipulative ways were also behind the split of Mick (Danny Dyer) and Linda Carter (Kellie Bright) as she wanted him all to herself. In her exit storyline, she was arrested after driving a car off a cliff, which led to the supposed death of her newest husband Mick. Advertisement Most read in News TV Outside of the soap, Charlie won the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special in 2011 and took the title of Queen of the Jungle in the twelfth series of I'm a Me Out of Here! one year later in 2012. Most recently, she appeared on the 17th series of Dancing On Ice at the start of the year, partnering with professional skater Eric Radford. Charlie Brooks reflects on her acting career and starting out at 15 She was eliminated from the competition in the fifth week. Back in February, Charlie also Advertisement Charlie is mum to Ibiza nightclub owner Tony Truman. She and Tony split just two years after Kiki was born but they are on very good previously revealed 4 The 43-year-old appeared on Dancing On Ice at the start of the year Credit: Getty 4 Charlie was eliminated in the fifth week of Dancing On Ice Credit: Getty Advertisement
