It’s been another summer of Strictly scandals – from allegations of stars using cocaine to a video appearing of an ableist slur being used on set – but the BBC will be hoping to move past that. The Strictly class of 2025 has now been unveiled in full.
As always, optimistically rumoured big names failed to materialise. There’s no politician, no newsreader, no minor royal. Stacey Solomon, Rob Brydon, Monica Galetti, Tom Parker-Bowles, Mo Farah and pretty much anyone who’s ever been on The Traitors were all hotly tipped but haven’t transpired. Anyone would think they didn’t want to have their sticky-out bottoms and sticky-up thumbs critiqued in front of millions.
So which 15 celebrities (we deploy the term loosely) will be getting Spanx-clad and sequin-spangled on autumnal Saturday nights? Who could get their jazz hands on the glitterball trophy? Who’ll be sent home before their fake tan has dried? We’ve rated this year’s ballroom batch from worst to best in terms of likely sparkly success.
15. Ross King
Ross King. Photograph: BBC/PA
The celeb bookers totally wanted Ross Kemp, didn’t they? All it took was one typo in an email and here we are. The Los Angeles correspondent on Good Morning Britain and Lorraine bills himself as “the King of Hollywood”. Which is a bit like calling Sex Lives of the Potato Men a seminal piece of cinema. Film buff Ross will be desperate to make it to Movie Week. We’ll see about that …
14. Chris Robshaw
Chris Robshaw. Photograph: PHOTOGRAPHER:/BBC
Ex-England rugby union captain Robshaw is the ninth rugger bugger to swap oval balls for glitterballs. None have ever lifted the trophy, with 2006 runner-up Matt Dawson coming closest. Could he become the second consecutive Chris to win (after McCausland) and the third Chris overall (see also Hollins)? As a self-confessed “dad dancer”, no. He’ll likely lumber around like a teak wardrobe with a groin strain. Soz.
13. Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink. Photograph: BBC/PA
Despite all those kicks, flicks and tricks, male footballers traditionally fare even worse than rugby players. Only Robbie Savage has passed the contest’s midway mark and he’s half-afghan hound. Former Leeds, Chelsea and Netherlands striker Hasselbaink signed up to impress his Strictly-mad daughters. They should enjoy his participation while it lasts. A contender for the sparkly handled wooden spoon. “Don’t Hassle the Baink” won’t even become a catchphrase, sadly.
12. Thomas Skinner
Thomas Skinner. Photograph: BBC/PA
Bosh. In one of the more curious career trajectories of recent times, Essex pillow salesman Skinner shot to cult fame on the 2019 series of The Apprentice. He’s since become a populist influencer who praises Donald Trump and struck up an unlikely friendship with JD Vance, while slating Labour, Just Stop Oil and the “woke brigade™”. Mainly, though, he posts his massive artery-clogging breakfasts on social media, always ending with his catchphrase “Bosh”. He’s Del Boy for the TikTok generation. Farage in Reebok Classics and a puffy gilet. Can he dance? He’ll give it a go for Britain. Bosh again!
11. Balvinder Sopal
Balvinder Sopal. Photograph: PHOTOGRAPHER:/BBC
From Walford to Waltzford, from duff-duffs to cha-chas. Recruiting from EastEnders, Strictly’s Elstree Studios neighbour, is an annual tradition but it backfired last year after Jamie Borthwick was suspended from the soap after a video showing him using an ableist slur while on set at Strictly. Balvinder, AKA soap matriarch Suki Panesar, is way too smart for such idiotic gaffes. Theatrical and elegant, she’s also become an LGBTQ+ heroine as one half of lesbian couple “Sukeve”. Let’s hope she makes it to Halloween so she can be “Spooky Suki”.
10. Harry Aikines-Aryeetey
Harry Aikines-Aryeetey. Photograph: BBC/PA
Dave Arch’s band, ready! Contender, ready! First out of the sparkly starting blocks was Nitro from Gladiators, AKA former Olympic sprinter Harry Aikines-Aryeetey. His glorified audition was the Christmas special, when he threw Nancy Xu around like she was an Elf On A Shelf, pulled off some “pec-ography” and came a creditable second. His Spandex-clad colleague, Montell “Fire” Douglas, reached the quarter-final last year and he could do likewise. Expect muscly stripping, pugil stick props and (hopefully) the running man on a travelator.
9. La Voix
La Voix. Photograph: PHOTOGRAPHER:/BBC
Voilà, it’s La Voix. Rattling the earrings of Middle England comes Strictly’s first ever main series drag queen. The franchise tested the water in the Christmas special with Tayce, who duly won. La Voix, AKA Christopher Dennis from County Durham, was runner-up on last year’s Drag Race UK and Britain’s Got Talent semi-finalist. She’s trained in musical theatre, will look fabulous and generally slay but will La Voix get La Votes?
8. Kristian Nairn
Kristian Nairn. Photograph: BBC/PA
Hold the stage door, it’s Hodor the hoofer. Casting the Game of Thrones cult hero is a curveball that even Bran Stark didn’t see coming. Nairn admits: “This will be a huge challenge for me physically but I’m ready to rise to it.” The gentle giant has a thriving side hustle as a house DJ, so rhythm and musicality should be strengths. He’s also a total dude with a winning sense of humour, so will win over Westeros novices. Expect a cockle-warming journey of weight loss, self-discovery and dragon-themed routines, while various GoT alumni cheer him on from the front row. Winter is coming to the ballroom. You know nothing, Tony Beak.
7. Karen Carney
Karen Carney. Photograph: BBC/PA
This is the summer of the Lionesses and in the absence of a current player – Leah Williamson was a rumoured target – midfielder-turned-pundit Carney is the next best thing. Expect goodwill in abundance when the Brummie wing wizard laces up her ballroom boots. There’s speculation that she’ll form half of Strictly’s first all-female partnership since 2022 (and only the third ever), which would be a welcome twist. A routine set to Sweet Caroline or Freed From Desire would blow the Elstree Studios roof off. Bring on the 4am karaoke sessions and victory parades.
6. George Clarke
George Clarke. Photograph: BBC/PA
Not to be confused with the Channel 4 property presenter and treehouse-botherer, this one is a YouTuber also known as “George Clarkey”. Honestly, I don’t know how they dream up these crazy nicknames. His comedy skits and Useless Hotline Podcast have seen him amass millions of followers. He’s played down his dance ability – saying he’ll “potentially fall over a fair bit” and “I once ordered pasodoble at a Spanish restaurant” – but the yoof vote could carry him to the final, à la Joe Sugg in 2018. Don’t forget to like and subscribe, guys. Guys?
5. Vicky Pattison
Vicky Pattison. Photograph: BBC/PA
She’s been crowned Queen Of The Jungle on I’m a Celeb. Will she now be Queen Of The Jive? Canny lass Pattison found fame on Geordie Shore but has since carved out an impressive career as a documentary-maker, author, campaigner and presenter. Far brighter and funnier than reality stars are often given credit for, she could go even further than her mate Pete Wicks last year. It’ll also be fun watching her pro partner being baffled by her Tyneside accent. “What are these stottie cakes and broon ales?”
4. Stefan Dennis
Stefan Dennis. Photograph: BBC/PA
Strewth, mate, it’s Paul Robinson from Neighbours. The bad-boy businessman and Ramsay Street Lothario is basically Ian Beale without the blubbing. He’s starred in West End musicals and had a pop career (who can forget his 1989 hit Don’t It Make You Feel Good?), so can hoof a bit. Jason Donovan, who played his on-screen brother Scott, reached the final. Could Erinsborough’s elder statesman find the perfect blend? He hails from Tawonga in Victoria, not far from judge Craig Revel Horwood’s home town of Ballarat, so could call in local favours in return for free drinks at Lassiters.
3. Alex Kingston
Alex Kingston. Photograph: BBC/PA
While her fellow contestants supplied the usual platitudes about “comfort zones” and “being Strictly-fied”, Kingston’s quote on her official BBC announcement simply said: “Aaaaagghhh!!!!!!” We like her already. The ER and Doctor Who star was inspired to sign up by her pal Sarah Hadland, a runner-up last year. At 62, she might be the field’s oldest female but don’t bet against her. Classy casting. In your face, Dancing On Ice.
2. Dani Dyer
Dani Dyer. Photograph: BBC/PA
Own up, who else’s heart skipped a beat when they heard this name? So close to Danny Dyer doing a samba and yet so far. Sadly, he once said: “I get offered Strictly every year but I’ve got no desire to be mincing around in sequins.” Still, the daughter of the beloved cockney thesp is a decent signing in her own right. She’s fresh from the first dance at her wedding to West Ham captain Jarrod Bowen and sweetly describes Strictly as “the second most amazing thing I’ve done this year”. As a Love Island winner, Dyer Jr has form for triumphing in reality contests. We predict a waltz to Hammers anthem I’m Forever Blowing Bubbles, while her dad gets weepy in the front row.
1. Ellie Goldstein
Ellie Goldstein. Photograph: PR
She was the first model with Down’s syndrome to grace the cover of Vogue and partnered with Mattel to launch the first Barbie doll with Down’s syndrome. Now trailblazer Ellie Goldstein notches up another milestone by becoming the first Strictly contestant with Down’s syndrome. She’s already requested Nikita Kuzmin as her pro partner because “he’s hot and fit”. Don’t beat around the bush, Ellie, say what you mean. The irrepressible 23-year-old recently branched out into acting on CBBC’s Malory Towers. The myth-busting Mencap ambassador has the charisma, confidence and talent to make her bookies’ early favourite. It’s another step forward for inclusivity and could be the feelgood story of the autumn.
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