FIRST LOOK Strictly Come Dancing 2025

The celebs are all glammed up and ready to go!

Ahead of this year's Strictly Come Dancing launch show, on Saturday 20th September, BBC One has released a first look at this year's celebrities all glammed up for their group shot.

This year's line-up includes Olympian and Gladiator Harry Aikines-Aryeetey aka Nitro, TV personality, broadcaster and author Dani Dyer, actor Alex Kingston, former professional footballer and football manager Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, actor and EastEnders star Balvinder Sopal, YouTuber and podcaster George Clarke, performer, presenter and singer La Voix and former England rugby captain Chris Robshaw.

Also taking part are trailblazing model, actor and influencer Ellie Goldstein, TV personality, social media star and businessman Thomas Skinner, TV star and broadcaster Vicky Pattison, actor and Neighbours star Stefan Dennis, Hollywood correspondent, author and broadcaster Ross King, sports presenter and legendary Lioness Karen Carney and former Emmerdale actor Lewis Cope.

Game of Thrones star and DJ Kristian Nairn was originally announced as part of the line-up but had to withdraw for medical reasons.

This year's Strictly promises unforgettable group routines, world class music acts, theme weeks and of course the much-anticipated annual trip to the iconic and much-loved Tower Ballroom in Blackpool.

All of last year's professional dancers, Dianne Buswell, Nadiya Bychkova, Amy Dowden, Karen Hauer, Katya Jones, Neil Jones, Nikita Kuzmin, Gorka Marquez, Luba Mushtuk, Jowita Przystal, Johannes Radebe, Aljaž Škorjanec, Kai Widdrington, Nancy Xu, Carlos Gu, Lauren Oakley, Michelle Tsiakkas and Vito Coppola will all return alongside two brand new professional dancers, Alexis Warr and Julian Caillon.

American-born Alexis Warr is best known for winning US dance series So You Think You Can Dance in 2022 and was crowned as ‘America’s Favourite Dancer’, becoming the first female Ballroom and Latin dancer to claim the title.

She has performed as a guest Professional Dancer and in the dance troupe on the US version of Strictly, Dancing With The Stars, and has been part of the series' accompanying US tour for the past three years.

Alexis has also danced on America's Got Talent, World of Dance, and on national tours across the States, including three with Dancing With The Stars judge Derek Hough, in addition to his Las Vegas residency.

Australian-born Julian Caillon has been dancing since the age of 10, specialising in Ballroom and Latin American, and going on to represent Australia on the international stage. He appeared as a Professional Dancer on three seasons of Australia’s Dancing With The Stars, has toured the globe with hit dance show Burn The Floor, and also competed on So You Think You Can Dance in Australia.

Julian has a degree in Exercise Physiology from UNSW Sydney and, alongside his dance career, has worked as a Personal Trainer and Exercise Physiologist. He is a keen athlete, and 2025 has so far seen him complete two triathlons.

Both Alexis and Julian have also previously danced at the World-famous Blackpool Tower Ballroom, where Strictly will return later this series for its much-anticipated Blackpool special.

As well as taking part in the competition itself, all of the Professional Dancers will be taking to the floor each week in unforgettable group routines, which alongside world class music acts.

Also returning to Strictly will be hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman as well as judges Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Anton Du Beke and Head Judge Shirley Ballas.

Saturday's launch show will see Tess and Claudia welcome 15 new famous faces to the ballroom and the show will start with a bang, as the entire Strictly family will hit the dance floor for an epic opening performance, with this year's two new professionals arriving in style with a sizzling poolside routine.

Elsewhere, Jessie J will be performing and 2024 Strictly champions Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell will return for one last dance together.

Judges Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke keep a watchful eye over proceedings as 15 new partnerships are formed, but who will be paired with whom?

Strictly Come Dancing returns Saturday 20th September at 6.40pm on BBC One