Strictly Come Dancing 2025 Line-Up

It's time to officially find out which celebrities will be taking to the Strictly dance floor this autumn,

As Strictly Come Dancing returns with its 23rd series, it's time to meet the 15 well-known faces who'll be taking to the famous Strictly ballroom this September...

Harry Aikines-Aryeetey

Olympian and Gladiators star

Olympian and Gladiators star Harry Aikines-Aryeetey has been confirmed as the first celebrity taking part in Strictly Come Dancing 2025, in a surprise announcement that saw him prank CBBC Newsround viewers.

Harry Aikines-Aryeetey is an Olympian, multi gold medal-winning Team GB sprinter, and star of Gladiators. As a sprinter he has competed at the highest level in the UK since his youth, becoming the first athlete to win gold medals at both 100 and 200 metres at the World Youth Championships, and winning the 2005 BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year award aged 17.

Harry has gone on to win gold in the 4x100m relay at the European Championships and at the Commonwealth Games. He has competed in two Olympic games and is a three-time European Champion and two-time Commonwealth Champion.

In 2023 Harry was unveiled as Nitro in the hit BBC series Gladiators, and he took part in last year’s Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special partnered with Nancy Xu.

On joining Strictly Come Dancing, Harry Aikines-Aryeetey 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."

Dani Dyer

TV Personality and Broadcaster

TV personality and broadcaster Dani Dyer has been confirmed as the second celebrity taking part in Strictly Come Dancing 2025.

Born in Canning Town, Dani has fronted documentaries such as Is This Anxiety?, has teamed up with her father Danny for podcast Live and Let Dyers and travelogue series Absolutely Dyer: Danny and Dani Do Italy, and has made guest appearances in EastEnders and Celebrity Gogglebox.

Dani won Love Island in 2018 and has since amassed over three million social media followers. She is also a published author with her debut book What Would Dani Do? reaching the Sunday Times Bestsellers list. Dani married West Ham footballer Jarrod Bowen in May this year.

On joining Strictly Come Dancing, Dani 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 💞"

Alex Kingston

Doctor Who and ER star

Doctor Who and ER star Alex Kingston has been confirmed as the third celebrity taking part in Strictly Come Dancing 2025.

Alex Kingston 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. She 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 on screen and continues in audio adventure and novel form.

Other television work includes a BAFTA-nominated performance as Moll Flanders, plus roles in Douglas Is Cancelled, Treason, Gilmore Girls, Boudica, Lost in Austen, Dodger, A Discovery of Witches, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, and Arrow.

Her extensive theatre roles range from playing Lady Macbeth, to Nurse Ratchet in One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest, Prospero for the Royal Shakespeare Company, and many many more.

On joining Strictly Come Dancing, Alex Kingston said "Aaaaagghhh!!!!!!"

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink

Former Professional Footballer and Football Manager

Former professional footballer and football manager Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink has been confirmed as the fourth celebrity taking part in Strictly Come Dancing 2025.

Jimmy Floyd 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, Jimmy 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 Come Dancing, Jimmy Floyd 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."

Balvinder Sopal

EastEnders Actor

EastEnders actor Balvinder Sopal has been confirmed as the fifth celebrity taking part in Strictly Come Dancing 2025.

Balvinder Sopal is an actor whose career spans theatre, radio, film and television. She is most known for playing the infamous Suki Kaur Panesar (now Unwin) on EastEnders since 2019. As Suki she has been at the heart of some of EastEnders’ most gripping and acclaimed storylines, from being part of ‘The Six’ to her on-off affair with Eve Unwin.

Before EastEnders, Balvinder appeared on many popular TV shows in various guises, including a guest lead in Call The Midwife series seven, Doctors, and Waterloo Road.

On joining Strictly Come Dancing, Balvinder Sopal 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!"

George Clarke

YouTuber and Podcaster

YouTuber and podcaster George Clarke has been confirmed as the sixth celebrity taking part in Strictly Come Dancing 2025.

George Clarke, also known as George Clarkey, is a British YouTuber, podcaster and social media star known to millions online. Born and raised in the UK, George began experimenting with video content as a teenager, quickly discovering the power of humour and honesty to connect with people around the world.

Since then he has built a thriving digital career with millions of followers across YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram, drawn to his authenticity and sharp comedic voice. He also co-hosts The Useless Hotline Podcast, which has proven so popular it has led to a series of live shows across the UK.

On joining Strictly Come Dancing, George Clarke said "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

Singer, Entertainer and Drag Race UK Finalist

Singer, entertainer and Drag Race UK finalist La Voix has been confirmed as the seventh celebrity taking part in Strictly Come Dancing 2025.

A powerhouse of charisma, comedy, and cabaret, La Voix stole the show and hearts of viewers on the series. With four RuPeter Badges under her belt and a place in the Grand Finale, she was awarded runner-up and quickly became a fan favourite.

But La Voix is no stranger to national television. From dazzling on ITV's Queens For The Night, to belting her heart out on Paramount’s Queen Of The Universe, her journey over the years has been nothing short of iconic. She wowed the judges as a semi-finalist on Britain's Got Talent, being declared a “a force to be reckoned with” by judge Alesha Dixon, and graced the silver screen in the cult comedy Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie.

With her live show, La Voix Meets, she's interviewed legends such as Dawn French, Joanna Lumley, Su Pollard, and Vanessa Feltz, and performed for the British Royal Family at their exclusive New Year's Eve ball two years running.

Alongside bringing a whole host of La Voix’s artistry to Strictly, performer Chris Dennis is excited for viewers to go beyond the stage persona and meet the real him.

On joining Strictly Come Dancing, 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."

Chris Robshaw

Former England Rugby Captain

Former England rugby captain, Chris Robshaw, has been confirmed as the eighth celebrity taking part in Strictly Come Dancing 2025.

Chris is a former England rugby union player and captain who first joined his childhood club, Harlequins RFC, straight out of school and became captain at 23 years old. He earned 66 caps for England and captained the national team 43 times, leading them to a Six Nations Grand Slam victory in 2016.

At club level, he played 300 games for Harlequins RFC, guiding them through their most successful era and becoming the only player to win the Aviva Premiership Player of the Year Award twice.

On joining Strictly Come Dancing, Chris Robshaw 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."

Ellie Goldstein

Model, Actor and Influencer

Model, actor and influencer Ellie Goldstein has been confirmed as the ninth celebrity taking part in Strictly Come Dancing 2025.

Ellie is a trailblazing model, actor and influencer, who in 2023 made history as the first model with Down syndrome to grace the cover of British Vogue. Her modelling career has also seen Ellie appear on the covers of Glamour, Elle, Mission Mag and Euphoria magazines, and she has featured in huge campaigns for brands such as Gucci Beauty and Adidas.

Two years ago Ellie partnered with Mattel to launch the first ever Barbie with Down syndrome, and more recently her acting has taken centre stage, with a guest lead role in CBBC’s Mallory Towers.

On joining Strictly Come Dancing, Ellie Goldstein 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!"

Thomas Skinner

TV Personality, Social Media Star and Businessman

TV personality, social media star and businessman Thomas Skinner has been confirmed as the tenth celebrity taking part in Strictly Come Dancing 2025.

Thomas Skinner first hit TV screens on The Apprentice in 2019, becoming a breakout star of his series. Since leaving the boardroom, Thomas has appeared on TV shows including 8 Out of 10 Cats, The Wheel, Michael McIntyre’s Big Show, Good Morning Britain and Faking It, alongside a memorable and meme-worthy appearance on Celebrity Masterchef.

Born and bred in Romford, Thomas is a self-confessed ‘grafter’ who has spent much of his life on market stalls and currently runs a number of small businesses, ranging from mattresses to a gym. His motivational-style social media videos, often featuring unconventional breakfasts, have become hugely popular, and in 2023 he released his debut book Graft – How to Smash Life.

He is also a regular on TalkSport Radio and in 2024 and presented their men’s mental health podcast The Men’s Room with Neil Ruddock.

On joining Strictly Come Dancing, Thomas Skinner 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 Pattison

TV Presenter, Author, Podcast and Radio Host

TV presenter, author, podcast and radio host, Vicky Pattison has been confirmed as the eleventh celebrity taking part in Strictly Come Dancing 2025.

Vicky Pattison is a TV presenter, author, podcast and radio host who won the nation’s heart after being crowned Queen of the Jungle on I'm A Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! in 2015. Since then, she’s remained a firm fixture on British screens, with presenting roles across MTV, ITV, Channel 5, Channel 4 and TLC.

Her critically acclaimed Channel 4 documentary Vicky Pattison: Alcohol, Dad and Me cemented her as a compelling and authentic voice in the conversation around alcohol addiction and mental health. Vicky has also been a Celebrity MasterChef finalist, appeared on Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins, and featured in BBC’s Sport Relief: All Star Games and was seen raising money in BBC’s Arctic Challenge for Comic Relief last year.

Off-screen, Vicky has authored multiple Sunday Times best-selling memoirs and novels and has built a loyal online community of over five million followers and is a passionate campaigner for women's health and emotional wellbeing, with a recent investigation into women’s reproductive health in collaboration with Good Morning Britain.

She currently presents the Saturday afternoon show on Heart Radio and hosts two hit podcasts: Get A Grip with Angela Scanlon and BBC Sounds Love Bombed.

On joining Strictly Come Dancing, Vicky Pattison said "I’m absolutely buzzing to be part of this year’s Strictly Come Dancing lineup... but I'd be lying if I said I wasn’t terrified. 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 and I just really hope I don't make too much of a fool of myself!"

Stefan Dennis

Neighbours Star

Neighbours star Stefan Dennis has been confirmed as the twelfth celebrity taking part in Strictly Come Dancing 2025.

Stefan is an actor best known for playing Paul Robinson in Neighbours, the longest running drama series in Australian television history. He created the role for the first episode in 1985 and appeared in over 6,000 episodes during the 40 years that the show was on air.

Prior to joining Neighbours, Stefan worked extensively on Australian television with roles on numerous shows such as Prisoner, The Henderson Kids, The Sullivans, Young Doctors and Sons and Daughters, to name a few.

He has also appeared in The Bill, Dream Team, River City and Casualty as well as starring in the West End musical Blood Brothers.

On joining Strictly Come Dancing, Stefan 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."

Ross King

Presenter, Actor and Writer

Presenter, actor and writer Ross King has been confirmed as the thirteenth celebrity taking part in Strictly Come Dancing 2025.

Ross can be seen daily on ITV’s Good Morning Britain and Lorraine as their Los Angeles Correspondent. He is a four-time News Emmy winner who has hosted more than 30 television series since his first radio broadcast at 15 and television debut at 17.

For US network television, Ross was a World Judge on CBS’ The World’s Best, hosted The Hollywood Christmas Parade, The Critics Choice Movie Awards Red Carpet and for six years was the Entertainment Anchor on Los Angeles’ KTLA, winning four News Emmys and a Golden Mic Award.

Ross was awarded an MBE in 2018 for services to broadcasting, the arts and charity. Ross has also written three novels with Shari Low, The Rise, The Catch and The Fall, and has written for television comedy shows, stage plays and films. 

On joining Strictly Come Dancing, Ross King 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!"

Karen Carney

Sports Presenter and Legendary Lioness

Sports presenter and legendary Lioness Karen Carney has been confirmed as the fourteenth celebrity taking part in Strictly Come Dancing 2025.

Karen Carney is a former footballer who played for Chelsea, Arsenal, Birmingham City and England, and is now the lead female pundit for both men's and women's football, across TNT and ITV.

With 144 caps, Karen is England’s third most-capped player, competing at four World Cups, four European Championships and the London Olympics before retiring in 2019. Aside from her incredible playing and broadcast career, Karen has secured a name for herself as a trailblazer in the advancement of women in sport. In 2022 she began leading a landmark government review with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, into the ‘Future of Women’s Football’ in the UK, every recommendation of which was successfully backed by the government in 2023.

In the same year, she also hosted the ITV series Leaders of the Pack which saw her have candid conversations with key figures in women’s international football.

Karen made history at the men’s World Cup 2022 as part of the first all-female line-up to analyse a men's football game. Summer 2024 saw her lead the ITV coverage of the men's Euros, including the nail-biting final between England and Spain. She again led the way for ITV in both of the Lionesses’ 2022 and 2025 historic women's Euro wins. Karen was awarded an MBE in 2017, and an OBE in 2024, for services to association football.

She also co-hosts the Long Story Short podcast with fellow England alumni and best friend Jill Scott, which is a hilarious and nostalgic delve into the stories of their friendship, through their football years and beyond.

On joining Strictly Come Dancing, Karen Carney 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!"

Lewis Cope

Actor

Actor Lewis Cope has been confirmed as the fifteenth celebrity taking part in Strictly Come Dancing 2025, replacing DJ and actor Kristian Nairn who had to withdraw from this year's competition for medical reasons.

Lewis is best known for his performance in ITV’s Emmerdale as series regular Nicky Milligan, who in an explosive storyline was revealed to be a member of the series’ iconic Tate and Dingle families.

Lewis was nominated for the Rising Star Award at the 2023 National Television Awards for the role. Away from the Dales, Lewis’ other television work includes roles in Vera, Mrs Sidhu Investigates, and Hetty Feather and he previously worked with David Beckham on an advertising campaign.

On stage, Lewis has played the lead role of Leonard Vole in the Olivier-nominated Agatha Christie’s Witness for the Prosecution, has toured the UK in The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and, at the age of 11, he made his stage debut playing Michael in the West End smash Billy Elliot: The Musical.

On joining Strictly Come Dancing, Lewis Cope said "I'm so excited to be swapping the Dales for the dance floor and joining this year's Strictly Come Dancing. I've always been a fan of the show and cannot wait to get started!"

Strictly Come Dancing returns in September on BBC One