Here Are All The Stars In The Cast

The Strictly Come Dancing judging panel BBC/Guy Levy

The hot weather and bright sunshine might make it feel otherwise, but Strictly Come Dancing season is officially just around the corner.

Don’t go thinking it’s time to stock up on hot chocolate and knitwear or get a head start on your Christmas shopping just yet, though – even if many of us associate the BBC dance show with the end of the year, it’s important to remember that actually gets underway in the early autumn, with live shows continuing on Saturday nights leading up to the festive season.

Earlier this week, the 15 celebrities who’ll be putting their dancing shoes on in the new season were unveiled one-by-one, and the line-up is now complete.

With a host of interesting and unexpected stars from the world of sport, TV and beyond in the cast, here’s a quick guide to the 15 stars on the new line-up…

Harry Aikines-Aryeetey (aka Nitro)

Olympic-gold-medal-winning-sprinter-turned-Gladiators-hero Harry Aikines-Aryeetey (who you might know better as his alter-ego Nitro) was the first Strictly star confirmed for the new series, having already made a big impression on last year’s one-off Christmas episode.

He enthused: “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.”

Dani Dyer

Since winning Love Island in 2018, Dani Dyer is now probably best known for the podcast she hosts with her dad, the similarly-named actor Danny Dyer.

“Getting the opportunity to be on Strictly is the second most amazing thing I’ve done this year!” she said after she was announced for the show, referring to her recent wedding.

“I feel very very blessed and cannot wait to get my dancing shoes on.”

Alex Kingston

Doctor Who fans will best know Alex Kingston for her prominent role as River Song, while ER viewers will recognise her as Dr Elizabeth Corday.

Her additional acting credits are as varied as Blue Bloods, Law & Order: SVU, Douglas Is Cancelled, Lost In Austen and The Cook, The Thief, His Wife & Her Lover, in which she played a minor role.

Expressing her mixed feelings about signing up for Strictly, Alex said simply: “Aaaaagghhh!!!!!!”

Excellent stuff.

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink

Dutch footballer Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink has previously played for the likes of Chelsea, Leeds United, Middlesbrough and Cardiff City.

He explained: “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,” he added. 

Balvinder Sopal

While EastEnders fans will best know Balvinder Sopal for her long-running performance as Suki Panesar, she’s one of the few actors to have racked up appearances on all four of the UK’s leading soaps – with past roles in Coronation Street, Hollyoaks and Emmerdale (as well as, even more impressively, the now-defunct Doctors).

“Being on Strictly is a dream that I held on to, with no proof that it would ever happen,” she admitted after her casting was confirmed.

“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!”

George Clarke

Described by the BBC as a top “YouTuber, podcaster and social media star known to millions online”, George Clarke confirmed his involvement in the new series during an interview on Radio 1.

He later told the BBC: “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.”

La Voix

After winning over an army of loyal fans on shows like Queen Of The Universe and Britain’s Got Talent, La Voix introduced herself to a whole new audience in 2024 when she competed on RuPaul’s Drag Race UK, finishing in second place overall.

On her upcoming Strictly stint, she exclaimed: “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!” she then quipped. “Here’s hoping they can help me go from La Voix into La Danse.”

It was also noted by the BBC that Chris Dennis – La Voix’s name out of drag – was “excited for viewers to go beyond the stage persona and meet the real him”.

Chris Robshaw

“This is about as far out of my comfort zone as it gets!” the rugby star admitted.

“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.”

Ellie Goldstein

Already a trailblazer in the modelling world as the first person with Down syndrome to appear on the cover of Vogue and have her own Barbie doll, Ellie Goldstein is now taking on a whole new challenge.

“I’m absolutely over the moon to be joining the cast and pros of Strictly Come Dancing this year,” she said. “It’s a show I’ve loved watching for so long, and the chance to now be part of it feels like a dream.”

Ellie admitted: “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 dance floor. Let the Strictly journey begin!”

Thomas Skinner

After rising to fame on The Apprentice, Thomas Skinner has gone on to become a frequent (and often controversial) figure on the likes of Good Morning Britain, TalkSport and GB News.

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!”

Vicky Pattinson

Vicky Pattinson first became known thanks to the reality show Geordie Shore, before winning a whole new audience when she competed on I’m A Celebrity, and is now a presenter and health campaigner.

Admitting she’s both “absolutely buzzing” and “terrified” about competing on Strictly, she confessed: “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.”

“I just really hope I don’t make too much of a fool of myself!” she added.

Stefan Dennis

A Neighbours OG, Stefan played Paul Robinson in the early years of the Australian soap, dating right back to its very first episode.

He has revealed he’s looking forward to “once again learning to step out of my comfort zone in the world of television”, as well as “the sparkle and reaching for the sky”.

Ross King

Daytime TV viewers will know Ross King best as the Hollywood correspondent on the likes of Good Morning Britain and Lorraine, for which he’s interviewed everyone from George Clooney and Jennifer Lopez to Britney Spears and Lady Gaga.

“From the bright lights of Hollywood to the glittering ballroom – it’s a dream come true to be part of such an iconic show,” he shared.

“I can’t wait to learn from the best, meet my fellow contestants, and, most importantly… try not to step on too many toes!”

Karen Carney

Football fans will know Karen Carney a former Lioness who now offers her expertise as a sports pundit for ITV.

“It really is a dream come true to be a part of this year’s Strictly Come Dancing line-up,” she said. “I’m such a huge fan of the show and I can’t believe I’m finally getting the chance to take part.”

Kristian Nairn

The last celebrity confirmed for the series was also one of the most unexpected.

Known for his work in Game Of Thrones and Our Flag Means Death, Kristian Nairn – the Northern Irish performer who stands at 6′10″ – admitted that while Strictly will be “a huge challenge for me physically”, he’s very much “ready to rise to it”.

“It’s a surreal and wonderful opportunity to shed one of my left feet!” he added.

Strictly Come Dancing will return to our screens in the autumn.

READ MORE: