Former Lioness Karen Carney, Game Of Thrones star Kristian Nairn and TV presenter Ross King have been announced as the final celebrity contestants for Strictly Come Dancing 2025.
The trio were announced on Friday as the line-up for the upcoming series was completed.
Nairn played Hodor in the HBO fantasy series and currently performs as a DJ, while Carney is a sports presenter and co-hosts the Long Story Short podcast with fellow former Lioness Jill Scott.
King, who was awarded an MBE in 2018, presents on ITV’s Good Morning Britain and Lorraine as a Los Angeles correspondent and has also written three novels.
Carney told BBC’s Radio 2 that being confirmed for the show was “nerve-racking” but she is “so excited” to participate.
She said: “Obviously football, I’ve retired six years ago, so this is something very new to me, but (I am a) huge fan of the show so I can’t wait, and now it’s out, which is like a relief to get it out there and say that I’m going to be on the show.
“I’m mega-excited.”
The former footballer, who has played for Chelsea, Arsenal, Birmingham City and England and is currently a pundit for men and women’s football, said she had kept her participation in Strictly a secret until now, adding even her family did not know.
Nairn, who is also known for his role as Wee John Feeney in the HBO comedy Our Flag Means Death, told Radio 2 he is used to keeping secrets as people would question him about Game Of Thrones plotlines.
He said: “I will say, doesn’t mean that I’m good at it. Anyway, I have kept secrets for years on end about plot points, but yeah, it doesn’t mean I’m very good at it.”
“It’s such an amazing show (Strictly) and I love that.
“I love dance, I love music, I love movement, and I really saw it as a chance to get back into that, because it’s been a long time. It really has been a long time, as you will see.
“I do have a few moves and I do have rhythm, but it’s the DJ shuffle and it’s very different to what I’m going to be doing now.”
King said on Friday’s Lorraine it is a “dream come true to be part of an iconic show”.
The broadcaster added: “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!’”
The trio’s involvement with the series comes after former Apprentice star Thomas Skinner, Neighbours actor Stefan Dennis and Vicky Pattison announced they would be joining the line-up.
Other contestants confirmed for the show this year include YouTube star George Clarke, RuPaul’s Drag Race UK finalist La Voix, former England rugby player Chris Robshaw, and model and CBBC actress Ellie Goldstein, who is to become the first contestant with Down’s syndrome to take part in Strictly’s full series.
The line-up is completed by Love Island winner Dani Dyer-Bowen, EastEnders actress Balvinder Sopal, Gladiators star Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, Doctor Who actress Alex Kingston, and former footballer Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink.
Strictly Come Dancing returns this September on BBC and BBC iPlayer
