The nights are drawing in, and Autumn is here which means one thing - Strictly Come Dancing is back.
It’s time to start preparing your best ballroom moves for your living room, as the hit BBC series is back on our screens for 2025.
This year's BBC reality competition season kicked off last week (September 20), and is presented by Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman.
A Game of Thrones star, an EastEnders actress, and a football great are 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.
Here are all the contestants on the show:
Amber Davies
Former Love Island winner and West End performer Amber Davies is the latest addition to the 2025 Strictly line up, replacing Dani Dyer who pulled out due to a fractured ankle.
Davies said: “This has been the craziest 24 hours of my life,” after being paired with dancing pro Nikita Kuzmin two days before live episodes are set to kick off.
She added: “I’ve watched Strictly with my family since I was younger and to now be part of the show is a dream come true.”
Davies said she wishes Dyer a speedy recovery, adding: “I hope I do her proud.”
Since winning Love Island in 2017, Davies has pursued an acting career, starring in West End musicals 9 to 5, Bring It On, Back to the Future and Pretty Woman.
She is also set to play Reese Witherspoon’s former role as the lead Elle in a Legally Blonde musical.
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.”
Kristian Nairn
Game of Thrones star Kristian Nairn, 49, is the fifteenth celebrity joining the new series of Strictly Come Dancing.
He is best known for portraying Hodor in the hit HBO fantasy show. Nairn is also known to millions around the world for his role as Wee John Feeney in two series of the HBO comedy Our Flag Means Death.
As one of Ireland’s most prolific house DJs, he has played alongside industry icons including Steve Aoki, Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, Fatboy Slim, and Danny Howard.
Nairn joked that he has “two left feet” while discussing his casting.
“This will be a huge challenge for me physically, but I’m ready to rise to it! It’s a surreal and wonderful opportunity to shed one of my left feet!” he said.
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.”
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.
Ross King
TV presenter Ross King revealed he will be swapping Hollywood for the ballroom later this year.
Lorraine’s Los Angeles correspondent announced the news on the ITV show, enthusing: “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!’”
King is a familiar face to ITV viewers, appearing daily on Good Morning Britain and Lorraine.
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.
Stefan Dennis
Stefan Dennis was the twelfth celebrity confirmed to be joining the new series.
He is an actor best known for playing Paul Robinson in Neighbours, the longest running drama series in Australian television history.
The 66-year-old has also appeared in The Bill, Dream Team, River City and Casualty as well as starring in the West End musical Blood Brothers.
“This is an opportunity for me to once again learn to step out of my comfort zone in the world of television,” the TV star enthused.
“Looking forward to the sparkle and reaching for the sky.”
The news was revealed on ITV’s This Morning.
Karen Carney
Former Lioness footballer Karen Carney is ready to swap the pitch for the ballroom.
The 38-year-old has 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, Carney is England’s third most-capped player, competing at four World Cups, four European Championships and the London Olympics before retiring in 2019.
On joining Strictly, she 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!"
Who has left Strictly so far?
Dani Dyer
Although TV personality Dani Dyer was set to compete on this year’s show, she confirmed she pulled this week after injuring herself in training.
Dani, daughter of EastEnders actor Danny Dyer, 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, but her time on the show has been short lived as she was forced to pull out after just one week with an injury after sustaining an injury to her ankle during rehearsals.
She said: “I had a fall on Friday in rehearsals and landed funny. I thought I had rolled my foot but it swelled up badly over the weekend and after an MRI scan yesterday, it turns out I have fractured my ankle. Apparently doing the quickstep on a fracture is not advisable and the doctors have said I am not allowed to dance so I’ve had to pull out of the show. To say I’m heartbroken is the biggest understatement. I am so going to miss dancing with Nikita but will of course be watching closely and cheering all the couples on.”
