Strictly Come Dancing has announced its 15 contestants from a Game Of Thrones actor to a Doctor Who star and an I’m a Celebrity legend.
The BBC’s crown jewel attracts the great and the good of the showbiz world to take part as celebrity contestants.
Strictly has been praised for its show firsts; making history, Ellie Goldstein is the first person with Down syndrome and La Voix is the first drag star to take to its glittering dancefloor.
There has been some backlash over the signing of The Apprentice’s Thomas Skinner — who has an unlikely friendship with JD Vance.
The professional dancers have also been confirmed for Strictly, including: Dianne Buswell, Nadiya Bychkova, Amy Dowden, Karen Hauer, Katya Jones, Neil Jones, Gorka Marquez, Nikita Kuzmin, Luba Mushtuk, Jowita Przystal, Johannes Radebe, Aljaž Škorjanec, Kai Widdrington, Nancy Xu, Carlos Gu, Lauren Oakley, Michelle Tsiakkas and Vito Coppola.
Strictly Come Dancing 2025 lineup in full
Kristian Nairn
Kristian Nairn is the last person to be confirmed for Strictly. (BBC)
DJ and actor Kristian Nairn is going to hope his dance moves hit the right notes with the Strictly judges.
He is best known for his beloved character Hodor in HBO’s series Game Of Thrones.
As a DJ, he has played alongside Steve Aoki, Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, Fatboy Slim, and Danny Howard.
Joining Strictly, Nairn 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!”
Karen Carney
Karen Carney is on Strictly Come Dancing. (BBC)
England Lioness Karen Carney has scored a place on Strictly Come Dancing 2025.
The former footballer — who played for Chelsea, Arsenal, Birmingham City and England — will hope she gets a professional dancer who is the perfect match.
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!”
Ross King
Ross King is going to feature on Strictly. (BBC)
Ross King is going to be swapping Hollywood for the bright lights of the Strictly dancefloor.
The presenter makes daily appearances on Good Morning Britain and Lorraine as the Los Angeles Correspondent. Having started in showbiz at the age of 15 on radio and 17 on TV, King has hosted more than 30 television series in his career.
On joining Strictly, 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!”
Stefan Dennis
Stefan Dennis is the twelfth celebrity contestant announced for Strictly Come Dancing. (BBC)
Neighbours has been axed for the second time, and this time the Aussie soap’s cancellation is said to be final, leaving cast veteran Stefan Dennis free to take on a new project this autumn.
Dennis, known for starring as Ramsay Street businessman Paul Robinson, has plenty of UK fans thanks to Neighbours’ enduring popularity and his 80s pop career, so with the soap having filmed its final episode on Friday, 11 July, Dennis is sure to be welcomed back to TV.
He follows previous Neighbours cast mates into the ballroom, including Jason Donovan and Holly Valance.
Dennis 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.”
Vicky Pattison
Vicky Pattison is the eleventh star taking part on Strictly. (BBC)
I’m a Celebrity legend Vicky Pattison is dancing her way back to reality TV.
Back in 2015, Pattison won the I’m a Celebrity crown after battling insects and gruesome Bushtucker trials. So surely the TV star will waltz her way through Strictly.
She said on This Morning: “I’m absolutely buzzing to be part of this year’s Strictly Come Dancing line-up … but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t terrified. I am 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!”
Her good friend Pete Wicks took part in Strictly last year and then flew out to her wedding in Italy. At the time, the former Geordie Shore star made a dancing confession.
Thomas Skinner
Thomas Skinner is being lined-up for Strictly. (BBC)
Thomas Skinner is going to be stepping back into the spotlight with Strictly.
Skinner is arguably one of the more controversial contestants and recently caused a stir with his unlikely friendship with JD Vance. Not shying away from the controversy, he has addressed the backlash around his signing.
Skinner wrote on X: “They say don’t read the comments on social media. But I couldn’t help myself. I’ve had absolute pellets all day on my instagram lost about going on strictly.”
He first stepped in front of the cameras for The Apprentice in 2019 where he appeared to be a charming entrepreneur. Although he didn’t win the BBC show, he has gone down in history as one of the most memorable candidates.
Life after The Apprentice has seen Skinner become a dad to his three children.
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!”
Ellie Goldstein
Ellie Goldstein is going to be a star on Strictly. (BBC)
Trailblazing model Ellie Goldstein is going to turn the Strictly ballroom into her catwalk.
The influencer made history in 2023 as the first model with Down syndrome to grace the cover of British Vogue. Her modelling career has seen her become the star of covers on Glamour, Elle, Mission Mag and Euphoria magazines.
She 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!”
Joining the BBC show is a dream come true moment for Goldtein, who told Yahoo in 2024, that along with doing more acting. She said: “My dream is to be on Strictly as I love dancing more than anything. I went to watch the show last year and just wanted to be on the stage twirling around.”
Chris Robshaw
Chris Robshaw is the eighth announced for Strictly. (BBC)
Chris Robshaw is planning to try use his rugby moves on the dancefloor.
The former England rugby union player and captain is the eighth celebrity to be signed up to the BBC show.
He 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.”
La Voix
La Voix is taking on Strictly. (BBC)
Drag Race UK finalist La Voix will be taking her performance skills to Strictly Come Dancing and makes history as the show’s first drag star.
She’s performed for Simon Cowell on Britain’s Got Talent but the singer admitted she’s more excited about her latest gig.
La Voix 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.”
George Clarke
YouTuber George Clarke will compete in Strictly 2025. (BBC)
YouTuber George Clarke is the sixth star announced for the Strictly 2025 lineup, bringing some youthful zeal to the Saturday night BBC staple.
Known as George Clarkey, is a British YouTuber, podcaster and social media star. He has millions of followers across YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram and also co-hosts The Useless Hotline Podcast.
On joining Strictly Come Dancing, George Clarke says: “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.”
Balvinder Sopal
Balvinder Sopal is joining Strictly Come Dancing. (BBC)
EastEnders actor Balvinder Sopal, known as Suki on the soap, will be swapping learning lines for dance moves.
She is the fifth celebrity to be announced for the show. Her career has seen her perform in theatre, radio, film and television, and now she will take on dancing.
On joining Strictly Come Dancing, 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!”
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink – Strictly Come Dancing 2025. (BBC)
Former international footballer Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink is changing the football pitch for the ballroom.
Hasselbaink is a former professional footballer and football manager best known for his prolific goal-scoring career in the Premier League and across Europe.
A Dutch international, he played for clubs including Leeds United, Atlético Madrid and Chelsea, earning a reputation for his power, pace, and precision.
Since retiring, Jimmy has become a familiar face in football punditry for major UK sports networks, managed clubs like Burton Albion and Northampton Town and served as an assistant coach for the England national team.
On joining Strictly, Hasselbaink 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.”
Alex Kingston
Alex Kingston – Strictly Come Dancing 2025. (BBC)
Doctor Who and ER star Alex Kingston will take centre stage on Strictly.
She has been a star of stage and screen for more than four decades, gaining international fame as Dr Elizabeth Corday in the global hit TV drama ER for eight years, winning a SAG award in the process.
Kingston is known to millions of Doctor Who fans as the iconic River Song, aka The Doctor’s Wife, a role she has played opposite three Doctors onscreen and continues in audio adventure and novel form.
All she had to say about joining Strictly was: “Aaaaagghhh.”
Dani Dyer
Dani Dyer – Strictly Come Dancing 2025. (BBC)
Reality TV star Dani Dyer will be hoping to lift the Glitter Ball trophy.
Dyer is a TV personality, broadcaster, author and mother of three. Her father is the actor Danny Dyer with whom she does the podcast Live and Let Dyers.
She previously won Love Island, taking home the £50,000 prize pot with her now-ex Jack Fincham. It’s an exciting year for the star who recently tied the knot.
On joining Strictly, Dyer 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.”
Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, aka Nitro
Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, aka Nitro, is the first confirmed star of Strictly Come Dancing 2025. (BBC)
Gladiator, ready? Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, aka Nitro, has said he is up for the next challenge on Strictly.
The sportsman previously appeared in the 2024 Christmas special, where he danced with Nancy Xu. The festive episode was won by RuPaul’s Drag Race UK star Tayce.
Harry Aikines-Aryeetey was partnered with Nancy Xu for the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special 2024. (Guy Levy/BBC)
He 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.”
Strictly Come Dancing returns to BBC One in the autumn.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source uk.news.yahoo.com ’
