The BBC has revealed the celebrity contestants and introduced two new professional dancers for Strictly Come Dancing's 2025 series. The show returns to BBC One and iPlayer on Saturday, November 8, at 6:25pm, promising group routines, theme weeks, and a visit to Blackpool's Tower Ballroom. Produced by BBC Studios Entertainment, it continues to draw audiences with its mix of dance, music, and competition.
Celebrity Contestants
The confirmed lineup features a diverse group of celebrities, including Olympian Harry Aikines-Aryeetey (aka Nitro), actor Alex Kingston, former footballer Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, EastEnders star Balvinder Sopal, YouTuber George Clarke, performer La Voix, ex-rugby captain Chris Robshaw, model Ellie Goldstein, TV personality Thomas Skinner, broadcaster Vicky Pattison, actor Stefan Dennis, Hollywood correspondent Ross King, sports presenter Karen Carney, actor Lewis Cope, and actor Amber Davies.
Originally announced participants Game of Thrones star Kristian Nairn and TV personality Dani Dyer withdrew due to medical reasons and injury, respectively.
New Professional Dancers
Joining returning pros 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 are newcomers Alexis Warr and Julian Caillon.
Alexis Warr, American-born and winner of So You Think You Can Dance in 2022, has appeared on Dancing With The Stars and toured with judge Derek Hough. Julian Caillon, Australian-born, specializes in Ballroom and Latin, with experience on Australia's Dancing With The Stars and Burn The Floor tours; he holds a degree in Exercise Physiology and has completed triathlons.
Hosts and Judges
Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman return as hosts, recently honored with MBEs. The judging panel remains Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Anton Du Beke, and head judge Shirley Ballas, who have hinted at new twists for the series.
Series Format
Voting shifts to online-only via the Strictly website. The season includes theme weeks like Halloween and Movie Week, plus live performances and audience support for couples.