Strictly Come Dancing 2025 is almost approaching, so it's time to start preparing your best ballroom moves.
This year's BBC reality competition season, which is presented by Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, will feature a number of stunning dance moves and emotional journeys.
As of right now, the BBC has revealed that a Gladiators athlete, an EastEnders actress, and a football great will be among the many celebrities who will be competing on this year's show.
In the upcoming months, these celebrities will likely become well-known due to their weekly routines, which, if well-received by spectators, will continue until Christmas.
As the contestants are revealed, find out all the information you need here.
Vicky Pattison
This Morning revealed on August 14 that Vicky Pattison would be the 11th celebrity competitor to participate on the show.
The star is well-known for appearing on Geordie Shore, Celebrity MasterChef and Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins, as well as winning I’m a Celebrity in 2015.
Pattinson is also a television presenter, having presented programs on MTV and ITV. She presented the Channel 4 documentary Vicky Pattison: Alcohol, Dad and Me, which brought attention to alcohol addiction.
“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,” she said.
“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.”
Thomas Skinner
Thomas Skinner, a former Apprentice star, has been revealed as the 10th Strictly Come Dancing 2025 contender.
The 34-year-old has made appearances on a number of TV shows since The Apprentice, such as The Wheel, 8 Out of 10 Cats, and Celebrity MasterChef. In addition, he presented the mental health podcast The Men's Room and published Graft: How to Smash Life, a self-help book.
The star said he was delighted to be joining the show: “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
Model and actress Ellie Golstein is another contestant who will be joining Strictly this year.
In 2023, Goldstein became the first model with Down syndrome to be featured on the cover of British Vogue. She also starred in a Gucci fashion campaign. In addition to modelling, Goldstein is an actor who has starred in the CBBC sitcom Malory Towers.
“The chance to now be part of it feels like a dream,” she said of her casting. “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!”
Chris Robshaw
Chris Robshaw, a former rugby captain for England will also be dancing to impress the judges this year.
After gaining 66 caps for England and leading the national team 43 times, the sports legend was appointed captain at the age of 23. He guided the squad to a Six Nations Grand Slam triumph in 2016.
“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.”
He added: “Let’s see if a rugby sidestep works in the Cha Cha Cha.”
La Voix
La Voix, a singer and 2024 finalist on RuPaul's Drag Race UK, is the seventh competitor to be announced to join the dance floor.
After placing second in last year's Drag Race, La Voix immediately won over the fans. She has also had appearances on Paramount's Queen of the Universe, ITV's Queens For The Night, and Britain's Got Talent, where she dazzled the judges as a semi-finalist.
On joining Strictly, 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
George Clarke is the sixth competitor to join the ballroom.
On social media and Youtube, George goes by George Clarkey, and he is well-known to millions of people for his funny videos. He is also a co-host of the podcast The Useless Hotline.
On joining the show, he 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.”
Balvinder Sopal
Since 2019, Balvinder Sopal has portrayed Suki Kaur Panesar (now Unwin), the matriarch of Walford, on EastEnders. Now she is taking over the Strictly ballroom.
From running away from her violent husband Nish (Navin Chowdhry) to having an intermittent romance with Eve Unwin (Heather Peace), Suki has been at the centre of some of the soap opera's most compelling plots.
In addition to Albert Square, Sopal has starred in Waterloo Road, Doctors, and Call the Midwife.
Sopal said “being on Strictly is a dream that I held on to, with no proof that it would ever happen.”
Dani Dyer
The EastEnders actress and Danny Dyer's daughter Dani gained notoriety after winning Love Island in 2018.
Since then, she has fronted documentaries including Is This Anxiety?, participated in the travelogue series Absolutely Dyer: Danny and Dani Do Italy, and collaborated with her father Danny on the podcasts Live and Let Dyers. Additionally, she has appeared as a guest on Celebrity Gogglebox.
Dyer is a published author as well. Her first book, What Would Dani Do?, was published in 2019. She is married to West Ham football player Jarrod Bowen.
Alex Kingston
Known for her parts in the sci-fi series Doctor Who and the US medical drama ER, Alex Kingston said she was motivated to join the competition after witnessing her friend, Miranda actor Sarah Hadland, place second in the 2024 series.
Kingston won a Screen Actors Guild Award for her eight-year stint as Dr Elizabeth Corday in ER.
She has also starred in television series such as Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Douglas Is Cancelled, Treason, Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life, and Boudica. She has played a number of parts on stage, including Prospero in the Tempest by the Royal Shakespeare Company, Nurse Ratched in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, and Lady Macbeth.
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink will be showing off his dancing skills at the Strictly ballroom this autumn.
Hasselbaink had a prolific goal-scoring career in the Premier League and around Europe while playing for teams like Leeds United, Atletico Madrid, and Chelsea.
Since retirement, Hasselbaink has established himself as a well-known figure in football commentary and as a manager of teams like Northampton Town and Burton Albion. He was also the England national team's assistant coach.
The ex pro footballer said his four daughters were part of the reason he decided to sign on up to the show.
The 53-year-old said on the BBC One Show: “A few years ago, I would say the same, but I’m a father of all girls, and Strictly is part of our home life. I’ve got into it. I like the show, and let’s have a go.
“Honestly, I have no idea what to expect. I have a little bit of rhythm.”
Harry Aikines-Aryeetey
Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, an Olympian and Gladiators star on the BBC, was the first celebrity confirmed to appear in the Strictly ballroom this autumn.
The TV personality and his pro partner Nancy Xu participated in the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special last year, and he is returning for a second round.
He is a two-time Commonwealth champion, three-time European champion, and a competitor at two Olympic Games. He also made history at the World Youth Championships by becoming the first athlete to win gold in both the 100 and 200 meters. At the age of 17, he was named the BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year for 2005.
