First celebrity confirmed for Strictly Come Dancing 2025
He's a familiar face!
It's that time of year again! With September fast approaching, fans are counting down the weeks until the 2025 series of Strictly Come Dancing begins, and now bosses are starting to reveal this year's celebrity contestants.
After taking part in last year's Christmas special, Gladiator Nitro, real name Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, is the first famous face announced!
Strictly bosses wrote on social media: '#STRICTLY... ARE YOU READY?! Gladiator Nitro is our first celebrity reveal! @aikines is back in the Ballroom for 2025 🏅'. (sic)
Speaking about his in involvement in the show, he 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."
As well as appearing on Gladiators since the show was rebooted back in 2023, Harry is also an Olympian, and a multi gold medal-winning Team GB sprinter.
As a sprinter he has competed at the highest level in the UK since his youth, becoming the first athlete to win gold medals at both 100 and 200 metres at the World Youth Championships, and winning the 2005 BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year award aged 17. Harry has gone on to win gold in the 4x100m relay at the European Championships and at the Commonwealth Games. He has competed in two Olympic games and is a three-time European Champion and two-time Commonwealth Champion.
Harry was paired with professional dancer Nancy Xu during the 2024 Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special.
Check out which celebs are rumoured to appear on Strictly 2025:
Stacey Solomon
Another well-known name on this year's rumoured list is Stacey Solomon! Stacey is no strange to working with the BBC, with her show Sort Your Life Out now onto its sixth series, as well as her reality show Stacey & Joe airing earlier this year. With the mum-of-five being a fan favourite, bosses will be keen to get her signature.
Tom Parker Bowles
Food critic Tom Parker Bowles, also known as Queen Camilla's son, is reportedly top of the BBC's wish list for the 2025 series!
Angellica Bell
Just months after appearing on Celebrity Big Brother, TV and Radio presenter Angellica Bell is also rumoured for Strictly, after recently expressing her interest in taking part in the show.
Sir Mo Farah
Although in the very early stages, BBC bosses are reportedly keen to sign Olympic legend Sir Mo Farah.
Ashley Cain
Reality TV star and fundraiser Ashley Cain could also make an appearance on the 2025 series, with The Mirror saying: "He's a proper character with a very interesting background that looks the part. He would be a great addition to the Strictly line up. He's presented a couple of BBC shows and has really impressed."
Georgia Toffolo
According to reports, another name on the BBC's wish list is former I'm A Celeb and Made In Chelsea star Georgia 'Toff' Toffolo.
None of the above names are yet to be confirmed by the BBC.
The next three celebrity contestants joining the new series of Strictly will be announced live on The One Show tonight (Monday 11th August).
Strictly Come Dancing will return to BBC One in September.
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 2024 winner revealed