Former footballer Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink has become the fourth celebrity eliminated from the 2025 series of Strictly Come Dancing.
The 53-year-old Dutchman and his professional partner, Lauren Oakley, faced a dance-off against West End star Amber Davies and her partner, Nikita Kuzmin, following Saturday night's Icons Week performances.
Despite delivering their highest-scoring routine—a soulful American Smooth to Prince's Purple Rain—Hasselbaink was voted off after the judges unanimously saved Davies.
The results shocked many fans, especially given Davies' consistent strong performances. She had previously ranked second on the leader board with a 33-point score for her cha-cha-cha to Ariana Grande's Break Free.
Some viewers speculated that her early success may have inadvertently worked against her in the public vote.
This year's season of the hit BBC reality competition kicked off on September 20, and is presented by Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman.
Who still remains in Strictly?
Vicky Pattison
Radio host and TV personality Vicky Pattison 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.
Speaking before the series kicked off, she 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 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.”
Ellie Goldstein
Joining the cast this year is model and actress Ellie Golstein who is the first star with Down Syndrome to appear on Strictly
In 2023, Goldstein also 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.
Speaking when it was announced she was joining, she said: “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!
La Voix
La Voix, a singer and 2024 finalist on RuPaul's Drag Race UK, is no stranger to reality shows.
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 another of this year’s contestants and will be best known by younger members of the Strictly audience.
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.
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 when the line up was announced.
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.
Karen Carney
Former Lioness footballer Karen Carney has swapped her football boots for dancing shoes.
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?
Amber Davies
Former Love Island winner and West End performer Amber Davies became a last minute addition to the 2025 Strictly line up, replacing Dani Dyer who pulled out due to a fractured ankle.
Davies was paired with dancing pro Nikita Kuzmin with the announcement made just two days before live episodes began.
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.
Dani Dyer
Although TV personality Dani Dyer was set to compete on this year’s show, she she pulled out early 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.
Ahead of the show, 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.”
Thomas Skinner
Thomas Skinner is the first celeb to be eliminated this season. He was was pitted against England rugby captain Chris Robshaw to be the first two contestants to face the dreaded Strictly dance-off on Sunday night.
Skinner danced with professional partner Amy Dowden, doing a salsa to Bonkers by Dizzee Rascal and Armand van Helden, while Chris Robshaw and his partner Nadiya Bychkova reprised their Viennese waltz to Die With A Smile by Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars.
The judges opted to keep Chris, and Skinner was eliminated on week one of the competition.
After finding out his fate, Skinner, 34, paid tribute to his professional dance partner Amy Dowden.
He said: “Thank you, Amy - sorry that we haven't done too good, 'cause you're a different class.”
She replied: "I've got to know the real Tom, and he is adorable. He's looked after me. We've laughed so much."
Ross King
Ross King became the second contestant to leave Strictly Come Dancing this season following a tense dance-off on the latest results show.
Known for his charismatic presenting on Lorraine and Good Morning Britain, King impressed viewers and judges alike with his performances, but ultimately bowed out after the judges chose to save his competitors.
Reflecting on his time in the competition, King expressed gratitude to the fans and everyone who supported him, saying he cherished every moment on the dance floor.
Stefan Dennis
Stefan Dennis 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.
Before the show, he said: “This is an opportunity for me to once again learn to step out of my comfort zone in the world of television.”
Chris Robshaw
Chris Robshaw joined the show after an illustrious career, gaining 66 caps for England, leading the national team 43 times, and being 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!” he admitted. “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.”
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink
Jimmy Floyd 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: “I’m a father of all girls, and Strictly is part of our home life. I’ve got into it.”
