Meet the celebs taking part in Strictly Come Dancing 2025
Amber Davies is a latecomer to the cast!
Last updated 26th Sep 2025
With this year’s hosts, judges, and professional dancers now confirmed for Strictly Come Dancing, the show’s bosses have now revealed this year's celebrity line-up, starting with Gladiators star Nitro, announced as the first contestant on Monday 11th August.
Who is on Strictly this year?
Between Monday 11th and Friday 15th August, 15 celebrities were unveiled for this year's show, including stars from the world of music, TV and sport.
Six women and nine men have been announced, including names such as Ellie Goldstein, George Clarke and Thomas Skinner.
Check out the full line-up below:
Nitro (Harry Aikines-Aryeetey)
Best known for: Gladiator and Team GB sprinter
Harry 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."
Alex Kingston
Best known for: Actress
Alex said: "Aaaaagghhh!!!!!!"
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink
Best known for: Former footballer
Jimmy 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
Best known for: EastEnders star
Balvinder 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 Clark
Best known for: YouTuber, podcaster and social media
George 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
Best known for: Drag Queen
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
Best known for: Former England Rugby player
Chris 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
Best known for: Model and Influencer
Ellie 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
Best known for: TV personality, social media star and businessman
Thomas 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
Best known for: TV personality and reality star
Vicky 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
Best known for: Neighbours actor
Stefan 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
Best known for: Presenter, actor and writer
Ross 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
Best known for: Former footballer and TV pundit
Karen 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
Best known for: Emmerdale actor
Lewis 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!"
Amber Davies
Best known for: West End star and former Love Island winner
Amber said: "This has been the craziest 24 hours of my life. I've watched Strictly with my family since I was younger and to now be part of the show is a dream come true. I'm going to give it my all and I am sending Dani well wishes for a speedy recovery. I hope I do her proud."
Dani Dyer: FORCED TO WITHDRAW
Best known for: Love Island and reality star
Dani 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."
Why has Dani Dyer quit the show?
Just days ahead of her first live performance alongside partner Nikita Kuzmin, reality TV star Dani Dyer released a statement to announce she was having to withdraw from the competition, after injuring her ankle.
She wrote: '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 l'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'. (sic)
Who has replaced Dani?
On Friday 26th September, BBC bosses confirmed former Love Island winner and West End star Amber Davies had been drafted in to replace Dani.
She said: "This has been the craziest 24 hours of my life. I’ve watched Strictly with my family since I was younger and to now be part of the show is a dream come true. I’m going to give it my all and I am sending Dani well wishes for a speedy recovery. I hope I do her proud.”
Why has Kristian Nairn quit the show?
Just a week after he was announced for the show, Game of Thrones actor Kristian Nairn released a statement to reveal he'd pulled out of the show due to an 'unexpected medical reason'.
He said: “With a heavy heart, I have to step back from this season of Strictly Come Dancing due to unexpected medical reasons. I was truly looking forward to the journey, and I’m deeply sorry to disappoint anyone who was looking forward to seeing me on the dance floor. Thank you all for your support, and I will be back on my feet very soon, in every sense. Love to all, Kristian."
Sarah James, Executive Producer, BBC Studios added: “We’ve absolutely loved getting to know Kristian in this short time, and he has all the makings of a brilliant Strictly Come Dancing contestant. We’re incredibly sorry to lose him from this year’s series and we all wish him a speedy recovery.”
Who has replaced Kristian?
It was announced later the same day that Emmerdale actor Lewis Cope would replace Kristian in the 2025 line up. He said of the news: "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!”
Which professional dancers are they paired with?
This year's pairings were announced during a pre-recorded launch show, which aired on Saturday 20th September.
Check them out below:
Balvinder Sopal and Julian Caillon
Amber Davies and Nikita Kuzmin
George Clarke and Alexis Warr
Lewis Cope and Katya Jones
Karen Carney and Carlos Gu
Alex Kingston and Johannes Radebe: ELIMINATED
La Voix and Aljaž Škorjanec: FORCED TO WITHDRAW
Drag Queen La Voix was forced to pull out of the competition ahead of Blackpool week. Hosts Tess and Claudia said: "As you may have heard La Voix sustained an injury meaning she can't dance in Blackpool tonight. Following further advice from our medical team, we can now confirm very sadly that she has had to withdraw from the competition."
Vicky Pattison and Kai Widdrington: ELIMINATED
Harry Aikines-Aryeetey and Karen Hauer: ELIMINATED
Ellie Goldstein and Vito Coppola: ELIMINATED
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Lauren Oakley: ELIMINATED
Stefan Dennis and Dianne Buswell: FORCED TO WITHDRAW
After four weeks in the competition, Neighbours star Stefan Dennis announced he'd been forced to quit the competition, revealing he'd torn his calf muscle.
Chris Robshaw and Nadiya Bychkova: ELIMINATED
Ross King and Jowita Przystal: ELIMINATED
Thomas Skinner and Amy Dowden: ELIMINATED
Dani Dyer and Nikita Kuzmin: FORCED TO WITHDRAW
Just days ahead of her first live performance, Dani released a statement to announce she'd had to pull out of the series after suffering a fractured ankle in training. It has now been confirmed that Amber Davies will replace her and pair with Nikita.
Now read:
Everything we know so far about Strictly Come Dancing 2025
Gorka Márquez pulls out of this year's Strictly Come Dancing
Strictly Come Dancing: Professional dancers confirmed for 2025 series