Strictly Come Dancing: Professional dancers confirmed for 2025 series
The show will return later this year
After the success of the 2024 series, which was won by Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell, fans of Strictly Come Dancing are over the moon that the show is back for 2025. Although the 21st series is a while off yet, show bosses have revealed the line-up of 18 professional dancers who will be taking to the floor with their celebrity partners.
Sarah James, Executive Producer, BBC Studios said of the news: “The excitement is already building ahead of the new series and in addition to welcoming back our fantastic returning Pros, we are looking forward to welcoming two brand new Professional Dancers to the line up who will help bring another unforgettable series of dazzling dance and loads more besides to viewers later in 2025.”
Who are Strictly Come Dancing professionals 2025?
18 professional dancers were unveiled on Friday 11th April, with bosses teasing two brand new dancers will join the line-up in due course. Sharing the news on social media, the post read: 'Exciting news about the new members of our Strictly family coming soon!'.
Fan favourites Dianne Buswell, Nadiya Bychkova, Amy Dowden, Karen Hauer, Katya Jones, Neil Jones, Nikita Kuzmin, Gorka Marquez, Luba Mushtuk, Jowita Przystal, Johannes Radebe, Aljaž Škorjanec, Kai Widdrington, Nancy Xu, Carlos Gu, Lauren Oakley, Michelle Tsiakkas and Vito Coppola will all return.
Graziano Di Prima and Giovanni Pernice are both once again absent from the line-up, after quitting the show last year.
Check out all of the 2025 Strictly Come Dancing professionals below:
Dianne Buswell
Dianne was a professional on the Australian version of Strictly Come Dancing before she joined the UK cast in 2017. In 2024 she won the show with comedian Chris McCausland.
Vito Coppola
Vito joined the show in 2022 and made it all the way to the final with Hits Radio presenter Fleur East. In 2024, Vito went one step further, winning the show with former Corrie actress Ellie Leach.
Amy Dowden
Caerphilly-born Amy first joined Strictly in 2017 and quickly became a fan favourite. In 2023 she was forced to miss the show after being diagnosed with cancer in May. After undergoing successful treatment, Amy returned to the show in 2024.
Gorka Marquez
Gorka joined the show in 2016 and has danced in three finals. In 2024 he was paired with Dr Punam Krishan.
Karen Hauer
Karen is the longest serving dancer in the current line-up, having joined in 2012. Last year she was paired with Paul Merson.
Katya Jones
Katya lifted the glitterball with actor Joe McFadden in 2017 and has been a Strictly professional since 2016. She danced with Wynne Evans in 2024.
Johannes Radebe
Johannes has been a Strictly pro since 2018. He danced with Gladiator Montell Douglas in 2024.
Kai Widdrington
Kai became a professional dancer in 2021, when he reached the final with presenter AJ Odudu but had to pull out due to an injury. Last year, Kai wasn't paired with anybody.
Jowita Przystal
Jowita joined the show in 2021 and was given her first professional partner, Hamza Yassin, in the 2022 series, with the pair went on to win the show. Jowita was then paired with Pete Wicks in 2024.
Carlos Gu
Carlos joined Strictly Come Dancing in 2022 and was partnered with CBBC star Molly Rainford. The pair reached the final of the show. Last year, Carlos didn't have a celeb partner.
Nikita Kuzmin
Nikita joined the show in 2021. He made the final during the 2023 series alongside his partner Layton Williams, and was paired with Sam Quek in 2024.
Nancy Xu
Nancy was paired with actor Shayne Ward in 2024. She has been a professional on the show since 2019.
Neil Jones
Neil has been a Strictly professional since 2016. His past celebrity partners include professional footballer Alex Scott, actress and comedian Nina Wadia, and Toyah Willcox in 2024.
Lauren Oakley
Lauren joined Strictly Come Dancing in 2022, and her first celebrity partner was Krishnan Guru-Murthy during the 2023 series. Lauren stepped in for injured dancer Amy Dowden last year, working with JB Gill.
Luba Mushtuk
Luba became a professional dancer on the programme in 2018. In 2024 she was paired with Nick Knowles.
Nadiya Bychkova
Nadiya joined the show in 2017. In 2024 she was paired with Tom Dean.
Michelle Tsiakkas
Michelle joined Strictly in 2022 and was given her first celeb partner in Jamie Borthwick in 2024.
Aljaž Škorjanec
Aljaž Škorjanec appeared on the show for a massive nine years before announcing he'd quit in 2022. However, much to the delight of fans, BBC bosses confirmed in July 2024 that he would be returning a professional dancer for the 2024 series, making it all the way to the final with Tasha Ghouri.
Kalpna Patel-Knight, Head of Entertainment at the BBC says of the line-up: “The Strictly Professional Dancers are the beating heart of the programme, showcasing to viewers in every corner of the UK their world class talent by lighting up the famous Strictly ballroom every Saturday and Sunday night. Here’s to another fab-u-lous series!”
Strictly Come Dancing will return to BBC in September.
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