Strictly Come Dancing has confirmed the final contestants for the star-studded 2025 series.
TV presenter, actor and writer Ross King announced he was joining the dancing competition during an appearance on ITV’s Lorraine earlier this morning. Shortly after, the BBC revealed that former footballer Karen Carney and Game of Thrones star Kristian Nairn were the last names to join the cast.
“From the bright lights of Hollywood to the glittering ballroom – it’s a dream come true to be part of such an iconic show,” said King in an official statement.
“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!’,” he added.
King has hosted more than 30 television series since his debut at age 17. He has worked extensively in US network television, and worked as Entertainment Anchor on Los Angeles’ KTLA for six years.
He has also authored three novels with Shari Low, The Rise, The Catch and The Fall, along with his screenwriting work for a variety of television comedy shows, stage plays and films.
BBC
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Karen Carney is swapping the football field for the Strictly ballroom this year. She played for Chelsea, Arsenal, Birmingham City and England, and is now the lead female pundit at TNT and ITV.
“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!,” she said in a statement.
BBC
The 15th and final contestant joining the dancing competition is Kristian Nairn, who is known for playing Hodor in HBO’s series Game of Thrones and Wee John Feeney in Our Flag Means Death.
“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!,” Nairn commented.
BBC
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Soap veterans Stefan Dennis and Balvinder Sopal and reality TV stars Vicky Pattison and Thomas Skinner are also part of this year’s line-up.
Former Love Island star Dani Dyer, RuPaul’s Drag Race UK finalist La Voix and Doctor Who’s Alex Kingston are also set to compete.
Strictly Come Dancing will be back on Saturdays on BBC One, with spin-off Strictly: It Takes Two on weeknights on BBC Two. Both shows are available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
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Mireia (she/her) has been working as a movie and TV journalist for over eight years. Based in the UK, she is a former deputy movies editor at Digital Spy, and previously worked for the Spanish magazine Fotogramas. Mireia’s work has been published in other outlets such as Esquire and Elle in Spain, and WeLoveCinema and GamesRadar+ in the UK. She is also a published author, having written the essay Biblioteca Studio Ghibli: Nicky, la aprendiz de bruja about Hayao Miyazaki’s Kiki’s Delivery Service.
During her years as a freelance journalist and film critic, Mireia has covered festivals around the world and has interviewed high-profile talents such as Kristen Stewart, Ryan Gosling, Jake Gyllenhaal and many more. She’s also taken part in juries such as the FIPRESCI jury at Venice Film Festival and the short film jury at Kingston International Film Festival in London. LinkedIn
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