I know we’ve been saying it every year since around 2017, but this time it really does feel like the BBC has finally succeeded in creating the worst line-up in Strictly Come Dancing history. If you were being kind, you might say it’s a mixed bag. If you were being honest, you’d say it’s a reject’s bag.
It’s less of a “Who’s who?” of showbiz, more of a “Who’s said no?” No genuine A-lister to be seen, and far too many reality show refugees. Still, I guess it could have been worse. With those recent backstage cocaine allegations in mind, I guess we’re just lucky some the casting team hadn’t taken up the baton from Celebrity SAS and booked the other one from the Peru Two.
You can criticise the BBC all you like for this state of affairs, but I place the blame squarely on one man’s shoulders. Simon Cowell. When he ruined The X Factor, he gave the BBC a free run on Saturday nights.
Now we’ve reached the stage where the Strictly bookers know it doesn’t really matter who they sign up, because the viewers will almost certainly still tune in regardless. It’s a risky strategy, for sure. Once I’ve taken you through this year’s fifteen Glitterball hunters, you can decide whether you think the Beeb has taken a gamble too far.
Dani Dyer
Dani Dyer – Strictly Come Dancing 2025. (BBC)
“Listen you slags, there’s no way you’re getting a proper geezer like me on that dancefloor. Book my daughter though, and I might come and sit on your front row one week.”
I’m not saying that’s the exact conversation Danny Dyer had with the Strictly team, but you have to wonder what daughter Dani Dyer has done lately to deserve a slot.
However, her likability factor is high, and I’ve heard she’s a bit of a mover.
Predicted finish: 1st
Ellie Goldstein
Ellie Goldstein is going to be a star on Strictly. (BBC)
Given the recent success of Chris McCausland and Rose Ayling-Ellis, I think we can assume that the Strictly voters are all in favour of inclusivity.
With that in mind, only a fool would bet against Ellie Goldstein, who was the first model with Down syndrome to appear on the cover of British Vogue, making it to the final.
She’s got the personality, and if it turns out she can dance half as well as Chris and Rose, she could even nick it.
Predicted finish: 2nd
George Clarke
YouTuber George Clarke will compete in Strictly 2025. (BBC)
If you ask me, Strictly started going downhill when it started signing up YouTubers and social media influencer types. Unfortunately, quite a few of them have been quite useful on the dancefloor, so I suppose I’ll have to just suck it up.
The kids will block vote for George Clarke even if he stinks the joint out.
Predicted finish: 3rd
Vicky Pattinson
Vicky Pattison is the eleventh star taking part on Strictly. (BBC)
Geordie Shore star Vicky Pattinson won I’m A Celebrity a decade ago, so she definitely knows her way around a popularity contest.
Whether she knows her way around a ballroom is another matter.
Despite her claims that she’s not a dancer, I have a feeling she might be a quick learner.
Predicted finish: 4th
Harry Aikines-Aryeetey/Balvinder Sopal
Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, aka Nitro, is the first confirmed star of Strictly Come Dancing 2025. (BBC)
Balvinder Sopal is joining Strictly Come Dancing. (BBC)
I’ve put these two hopefuls together because “You have to have a Gladiator” appears to have become the new “You have to have an EastEnder”.
Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, aka Nitro, did the Christmas Special last year, so we already know he isn’t hopeless on the dancefloor. As for Balvinder Sopal, the Walford mob usually do OK, so unless she’s got two left feet, she should pull in a few votes.
Predicted finish: 5th & 6th
Stefan Dennis
Stefan Dennis is the twelfth celebrity contestant announced for Strictly Come Dancing. (BBC)
I’m expecting big things from Stefan Dennis, this year’s nostalgia booking, although the fact that his record company clearly didn’t trust him enough to dance in the video for Don’t It Make You Feel Good is making me a tad nervous.
The fact that, at 66, the Neighbours legend is also this year’s oldest contestant don’t make me feel any gooder. Nostalgia though, is a powerful drug.
Predicted finish: 7th
Karen Carney
Karen Carney is on Strictly Come Dancing. (BBC)
After the summer the England women’s football team have had, I can see why the BBC wanted some of that Lioness magic on the show.
The bookers were never going to get one of the current squad to sign up, so some viewers might see stylish pro-turned-pundit Karen Carney as a lazy token gesture by the Beeb. However, if she lands a good partner she could stick around.
Predicted finish: 8th.
Alex Kingston
Alex Kingston – Strictly Come Dancing 2025. (BBC)
Alex Kingston is arguably the biggest name this year. She’s best known these days for playing River Song on Doctor Who, but older viewers will recall her starring role in the legendary hospital drama E.R.
That said, I can’t help thinking she only got the Strictly call because Hannah Waddingham must have said no.
Predicted finish: 9th
Chris Robshaw
Chris Robshaw was the eighth celebrity announced for Strictly. (BBC)
Chris Robshaw’s a handsome lad and a former rugby player. The Strictly viewers tend to like handsome lads and rugby players.
Logic dictates, therefore, that Robshaw won’t be going home before Halloween.
Predicted finish: 10th
Thomas Skinner
Thomas Skinner is being lined-up for Strictly. (BBC)
The BBC booking JD Vance’s new best mate has already raised a few eyebrows in political quarters.
Thomas Skinner was good value on The Apprentice in 2019, and if the Strictly viewers take a liking to his “honest to goodness working class boy” persona, he could surprise a few people.
I have three pieces of advice for him. One, stay off social media. Two, ditch the MAGA caps. Three, don’t say “Bosh” in the studio.
Predicted finish: 11th
La Voix
La Voix is taking on Strictly. (BBC)
Surely the BBC is scraping the barrel by giving a slot to La Voix, whose biggest claim to fame to date was failing on Britain’s Got Talent?
There will also doubtless be a few grumbles about the Beeb having a drag act on a family show, but I don’t think it’s that big a deal. Craig Revel Horwood’s appeared in drag loads of times.
Standing 6ft in heels, La Voix’s main stumbling block could be finding a partner to pair up with.
Predicted finish: 12th
Ross King
Ross King is going to feature on Strictly. (BBC)
When I heard Lorraine Kelly’s veteran Hollywood reporter Ross King had got the call, two thoughts crossed my mind.
Either an office junior misheard their boss when they told them to book Ross Kemp, or the production accountant wanted to save a few quid on the fake tan budget.
King is a lively fella to have around the place, but I suspect he’ll be there for a fun time rather than a long time.
Predicted finish: 13th
Kristian Nairn
Kristian Nairn was the last person to be confirmed for Strictly. (BBC)
When the BBC announced Hodor from Game of Thrones as this year’s final contestant, all hope that they might be saving the best till last went out of the window. It was less “Hold the door”, more “Shut the front door!”
Who knows, perhaps his DJing background means he’s got some rhythm buried within that 6ft 10in frame?
At least his time with the dragons and bloodthirsty tyrants on GoT will stand him in good stead for when he meets the Strictly judges.
Predicted finish: 14th
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink – Strictly Come Dancing 2025. (BBC)
Strictly loves an ex-footballer, so it’s not too surprising to see one on the list.
The problem is I haven’t seen anything to suggest Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink will provide the sort of comedy Tony Adams and Paul Merson brought to the ballroom.
Unless he’s been hiding some nifty dancing feet in his shooting boots, he must be favourite for an early bath.
Predicted finish: 15th
The Strictly Come Dancing 2025 lineup in full
‘ 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 ’
