Strictly Come Dancing 2025 cast: who has been announced so far? Updating BBC cast list
Strictly Come Dancing has confirmed the full cast of the 2025 series 💃🕺
- Strictly Come Dancing has now revealed the full cast for series 23.
- 15 stars have been announced for the 2025 edition!
- But who has been announced so far?
The full line-up for the latest series of Strictly Come Dancing has now been announced. Starting earlier in the week, the BBC kept fans on their toes with reveal after reveal and the cast has been fully confirmed now.
The road to the Glitterball Trophy is about to begin and the 15 celebs will soon be taking to the dancefloor. Ahead of the show’s return this autumn, the BBC has started to lift the curtain on the 2025 series of its iconic dancing show.
Social media stars, England rugby legends and one of the icons of Gladiators have been confirmed. Two new professional dancers have previously been revealed to be joining the line-up for 2025.
However, one of the most recent announcements has left a bitter taste in my mouth. Find out why here and read my thoughts.
Who has been announced for Strictly Come Dancing 2025?
The first name to be revealed was Olympian and Gladiators star Harry Aikines-Aryeetey (aka Nitro). He has already had some dancing practice after taking part in the 2024’s Christmas Special - where he was partnered with Nancy Xu.
He was revealed in a surprise announcement that saw him prank CBBC Newsround viewers. On joining Strictly Come Dancing, Harry Aikines-Aryeetey 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."
Harry Aikines-Aryeetey is 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 win 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.
The next three stars were confirmed later on Monday (August 11) during the One Show on BBC One. It included some really big surprises.
The second star to be confirmed was former Love Island favourite Dani Dyer - the daughter of Mr Bigstuff and EastEnders actor Danny Dyer. She said: “Getting the opportunity to be on Strictly is the second most amazing thing I’ve done this year! I feel very very blessed and cannot wait to get my dancing shoes on.”
Next contestant to be revealed was Alex Kingston, who you may recognise as the legend that is River Song from Doctor Who. The actor was very succinct in her reaction, simply saying: “Aaaaagghhh!!!!!!”
The fourth name revealed for Strictly Come Dancing 2025 was retired footballer Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink. He said: “Swapping the pitch for the ballroom is certainly not something I’ve done before but I’m looking forward to tackling a fun challenge! Bring on a new type of footwork, with hopefully no own goals.”
Barely 24 hours after announcing the first star for the latest series, the BBC has already announced the fifth name. Balvinder Sopal, aka Suki from EastEnders, will be taking to the dance floor this autumn.
She said: “Being on Strictly is a dream that I held on to, with no proof that it would ever happen. Working on EastEnders and being a part of Strictly Come Dancing is the stuff that dreams are made of. I’m far too excited to put into words how I feel but I’m incredibly excited at the prospect of dancing across the ballroom!”
The news was revealed live from Albert Square on 12 August on ITV’s Good Morning Britain and the remaining celebrity contestants joining the new series will be announced in due course.
YouTuber and Podcaster George Clarke was the sixth star to be confirmed for the latest season of Strictly Come Dancing. Also known as George Clarkey, he is known to millions online.
Speaking about joining the cast, he 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."
The announcements kept coming on Wednesday (August 13). First up it was revealed that the seventh star joining the cast of Strictly Come Dancing series 23 would be drag superstar La Voix.
Fresh off finishing in second place on BBC Three’s RuPaul’s Drag Race UK last year, La Voix is a powerhouse of charisma, comedy, and cabaret. She said: “I've performed for royalty, RuPaul and Simon Cowell, but nothing fills me with more excitement (and quite a bit of terror) than the thought of dancing in front of millions on live Saturday night TV.
“Strictly is a national institution and I can't wait to get started. All that's left to say is: good luck to my partner! Here's hoping they can help me go from La Voix into La Danse.”
Former England captain and ex-international rugby star Chris Robshaw was the eight star to be confirmed for Strictly Come Dancing. He captained England 43 times, leading them to a Six Nations Grand Slam victory in 2016.
Chris said: “This is about as far out of my comfort zone as it gets! I’m hoping to take my dad dancing to a whole new level, and my mum can’t wait to drag me along to her Zumba class. Let’s see if a rugby sidestep works in the Cha Cha Cha.”
The latest announcements were made on The Scott Mills Breakfast Show on BBC Radio 2 on Wednesday (August 13). However, the BBC was not done and more announcements soon followed.
Trailblazing model, actor and influencer Ellie Goldstein was revealed to be the ninth star in the cast of Strictly Come Dancing series 23. In 2023, Ellie made history as the first model with Down syndrome to grace the cover of British Vogue. Her modelling career has also seen Ellie appear on the covers of Glamour, Elle, Mission Mag and Euphoria magazines, and she has featured in huge campaigns for brands such as Gucci Beauty and Adidas.
Two years ago Ellie partnered with Mattel to launch the first ever Barbie with Down syndrome, and more recently her acting has taken centre stage, with a guest lead role in CBBC’s Malory Towers.
On joining Strictly Come Dancing, Ellie Goldstein said: “I’m absolutely over the moon to be joining the cast and pros of Strictly Come Dancing this year. It’s a show I’ve loved watching for so long, and the chance to now be part of it feels like a dream.
“I know it’s going to be challenging, but I’m ready to do it with the glitter and glamour and make some magic on that dancefloor. Let the Strictly journey begin!”
The tenth contestant was revealed on Thursday (August 14) and it is former The Apprentice candidate Thomas Skinner. The businessman and internet personality has been confirmed for Strictly Come Dancing series 23.
He said: “I’m beyond excited to be joining Strictly Come Dancing. I’ve tackled the boardroom and some big breakfasts in my time but stepping onto the dance floor under that glitter ball is next level stuff! I’ve never danced in my life (other than at weddings) but I’m ready to graft and of course have a laugh. Bring on the sequins, sambas and most importantly, the BOSH to the ballroom!”
The news was first teased by Thomas in a video posted on his social accounts from his favourite cafe and confirmed on Hits Radio with Sam Thompson. See my reaction and why it has “ruined” the season for me.
The 11th name has been announced for the cast in the form of ex-Geordie Shore star Vicky Pattison. The TV presenter, author, podcast and radio host who won the nation’s heart after being crowned Queen of the Jungle on I'm A Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! in 2015.
Her critically acclaimed Channel 4 documentary Vicky Pattison: Alcohol, Dad and Me cemented her as a compelling and authentic voice in the conversation around alcohol addiction and mental health. Vicky has also been a Celebrity MasterChef finalist, appeared on Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins, and featured in BBC’s Sport Relief: All Star Games and was seen raising money in BBC’s Arctic Challenge for Comic Relief last year.
Speaking about joining the cast, she said: “I’m absolutely buzzing to be part of this year’s Strictly Come Dancing lineup... but I'd be lying if I said I wasn’t terrified. I am a not a natural dancer! However, it’s such an amazing opportunity for me to step out of my comfort zone and to challenge myself in a completely new way and I just really hope I don't make too much of a fool of myself!"
Neighbours actor Stefan Dennis will be part of the cast for Strictly Come Dancing in 2025, the BBC has announced. The TV star, best known for playing Paul Robinson on the soap, will enter the famous ballroom this autumn.
He has also appeared in The Bill, Dream Team, River City and Casualty as well as starring in the West End musical Blood Brothers.
Paul said: “ This is an opportunity for me to once again learn to step out of my comfort zone in the world of television. Looking forward to the sparkle and reaching for the sky.”
The final three names were announced on Friday (August 15). The 13th name revealed is presenter and writer Ross King and he said: “From the bright lights of Hollywood to the glittering ballroom - it’s a dream come true to be part of such an iconic show.
“I can’t wait to learn from the best, meet my fellow contestants, and, most importantly… try not to step on too many toes! Let’s give this the best that I can! As my mum always said: 'You’ll never know till you give it a go!”
The fourteenth name announced was sports presenter and legendary Lioness Karen Carney. She said: “It really is a dream come true to be a part of this year’s Strictly Come Dancing line up. I’m such a huge fan of the show and I can’t believe I’m finally getting the chance to take part. I’m so excited to meet everyone and get dancing!”
But the BBC was not done yet, there was still one name to be confirmed. The 15th star announced is Game of Thrones favourite Kristian Nairn - who is also a DJ.
He said: “This will be a huge challenge for me physically, but I’m ready to rise to it! It’s a surreal and wonderful opportunity to shed one of my left feet!
Full cast of Strictly Come Dancing 2025 - updating:
- Harry Aikines-Aryeetey (aka Nitro)
- Dani Dyer
- Alex Kingston
- Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink
- Balvinder Sopal
- George Clarke
- La Voix
- Chris Robshaw
- Ellie Goldstein
- Thomas Skinner
- Stefan Dennis
- Ross King
- Karen Carney
- Kristian Nairn
Strictly Come Dancing confirms new professional dancers
Two new professional dancers will also be taking to the floor for the latest series of Strictly, the BBC has confirmed. Alexis Warr and Julian Caillon will shimmy onto the dancefloor this autumn.
American-born Alexis Warr is best known for winning US dance series So You Think You Can Dance in 2022 and was crowned as ‘America’s Favourite Dancer’, becoming the first female Ballroom and Latin dancer to claim the title. She has performed as a guest Professional Dancer and in the dance troupe on the US version of Strictly, Dancing With The Stars, and has been part of the series' accompanying US tour for the past three years.
Alexis has also danced on America's Got Talent, World of Dance, and on national tours across the States - including three with Dancing With The Stars judge Derek Hough, in addition to his Las Vegas residency.
On joining Strictly Come Dancing, Alexis said: "I’ve admired Strictly for years, so joining this incredible family is such an honour. I can’t wait to step into the ballroom, pour my heart into every moment, and share my love of dance with the UK.”
Australian-born Julian Caillon has been dancing since the age of 10, specialising in Ballroom and Latin American, and going on to represent Australia on the international stage. He appeared as a Professional Dancer on three seasons of Australia’s Dancing With The Stars, has toured the globe with hit dance show Burn The Floor, and also competed on So You Think You Can Dance in Australia.
Julian has a degree in Exercise Physiology from UNSW Sydney and, alongside his dance career, has worked as a Personal Trainer and Exercise Physiologist. Julian is a keen athlete, and 2025 has so far seen him complete two triathlons.
Speaking about signing up for the show, he said: "Joining the cast of Strictly really is a dream come true. I’ve watched it for years, especially cheering on all the amazing dancers I know and work with who've been part of it. I can’t wait to get stuck in, have some fun, and be part of something special! "
When will Strictly Come Dancing 2025 start?
The show is set to return in September, the BBC has said. It will be broadcast live on both BBC One and iPlayer.
An exact date will be confirmed closer to the start. However, for reference, last year’s series began on September 14.
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