BBC Strictly 2025 line-up in FULL - Game of Thrones actor and GMB star complete cast
Strictly Come Dancing 2025 isn't far away - and the stars due to take part have been confirmed with a Gladiator, drag icon and a rugby star poised for the dance floor
BBC One's Strictly Come Dancing has announced its full line-up of contestants for the 2025 series, with Game of Thrones actor Kristian Nairn completing the cast.
He's joining an unusual mix of stars this year, from reality TV stars Vicky Pattison and Thomas Skinner to the show's first contestant with Down's syndrome, Ellie Goldstein, and its first drag queen La Voix.
Reality star Vicky, 37, made her announcement on ITV's This Morning as she revealed she was "terrified" by her latest project. She told hosts Emma Willis and Craig Doyle: "I've not got high hopes for my dancing, I'm a drinker, not a dancer, drunk auntie dancing is me."
While former The Apprentice star Thomas Skinner confirmed the news that he had signed up for the programme on social media.
This year's offering has been met with a furious response from Strictly Come Dancing fans as some have said they are 'scraping the barrel' as the line-up of celebrities is 'underwhelming'. One wrote: "Not really into the lineup this year. It feels a little underwhelming for me, however I can’t wait to see them all dance and all be partnered."
Another added: "Is it me or are they really scraping the Barrell for these ‘celebrities’. It feels like the Z list reboot" while a third said: "You’re having a laugh now this line up is tragic".
But others defended the celebrities as one said: "Honestly don't know how people can moan about the line-up, we haven't seen them dance yet, or seen their willingness to learn! Don't like it? Watch something else!"
While being announced on BBC Breakfast on Tuesday, model Ellie Goldstein explained she would love to be partnered up with Nikita Kuzmin. She said: "The best partner is Nikita (Kuzmin). I love him! I want him, please, I love him so much."
READ MORE: Strictly Come Dancing's Gorka Marquez pulls out of show as he makes career announcementREAD MORE: ITV makes major decision on I'm A Celebrity's future after talks with officialsThe new series is set to air in just a matter of weeks, with the latest batch of famous faces hoping to take home the iconic Glitterball Trophy, which last year was won by Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell.
Weeks before the show is due to start there has already been much controversy surrounding Strictly – as an ex employee of the BBC has alleged that he was offered cocaine by a Strictly Come Dancing star. The unnamed man, who worked behind the scenes on the broadcaster's dancing competition for a decade, has claimed that he saw a number of its celebrity contestants 'partying' after filming was over and alleged that he saw stars 'drinking and taking drugs' at the time.
A BBC spokesperson told The Mirror: "We have clear protocols and policies in place for dealing with any serious complaint raised with us. We would always encourage people to speak to us if they have concerns. It would not be appropriate for us to comment further."
Meanwhile, professional dancer Nadiya Bychkova was rushed to hospital earlier this week after she took a horror fall during rehearsals. The star was training in north London on Tuesday lunchtime when she was left in agony after injuring herself, with an ambulance being called. An insider told us: "It looked pretty nasty and no-one was taking any chances. The Strictly crew rushed into action and she was stretchered out," with a source close to Strictly adding that rehearsals continued.
While a new batch of faces will be arriving, one popular mainstay has announced they are taking a step back from the show. Professional dancer Gorka Marquez confirmed he will be missing a huge chunk of this year's series.
Instead, he is set to be a judge on the Spanish version of the show. Despite the announcement, it is thought the star will make a return in the latter stages.
Here's the full list of this year's cast...
Strictly Come Dancing 2025 confirmed stars
HarryAikines-Aryeetey
Gladiators star Harry Aikines-Aryeetey – known as Nitro on the show – was the first Strictly Come Dancing star to be confirmed for 2025. The ex athlete, 36, appeared on CBBC on Monday morning to share the line-up news, having taking part in Strictly's Christmas special last year.
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."
Dani Dyer
Newly married Dani Dyer was the second celebrity to be announced on Monday night as three names from the 2025 line-up were revealed on The One Show.
"It’s such a fun magical show – to be asked to do it is such an honour," the mum-of-three gushed on the BBC show as her Strictly stint was announced.
Dani, 29, is hoping to capitalise on her Love Island triumph as she takes to the dance floor. After she was revealed on The One Show, Danny Dyer's eldest child 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.”
Alex Kingston
Alex Kingston, 62, was the third contestant to be unveiled for the new series. The actor is known for her roles on shows like Doctor Who, having played River Song, and medical drama ER, in which she played Dr. Elizabeth Corday.
After being named as part of the line-up on The One Show, she shared that Miranda star Sarah Hadland, whom she'd worked with on a play in 2019, had inspired her to sign up this year. She recalled them having both expressed interest in doing Strictly when they were colleagues and said that after seeing Sarah on the show last year, she reached out to discuss the experience and it led to her deciding to "go for it".
Alex said on the show: "I just thought 'my god, y'know, I'm in my sixties – just go for it. What have you got to lose?" And sharing her thoughts on now being involved, she revealed: "I was super excited and now I actually am terrified."
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink
Retired footballer Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, 53, was the third contestant unveiled on The One Show, and the fourth celebrity in the line-up overall. He played for teams including Leeds United and Chelsea whilst in the Premier League.
Asked why he had signed up for the dance competition this year, football manager Jimmy explained: "I'm a father of only girls and Strictly is a part of our y'know home life. Yeah, I've got into it. I like the show and let's have a go."
"Honestly, I have no idea what to expect," he shared in his first live interview about the show. Jimmy added: "I have a little bit of rhythm but y'know ..." He went on to say he's most looking forward to slower dances like the waltz.
Balvinder Sopal
Balvinder Sopal was revealed to be the fifth Strictly Come Dancing contestant taking on the BBC One show this year. Announcing the news of Good Morning Britain, Balvinder surprised ITV viewers from the set of EastEnders.
"I have danced before, I dabbled a little bit. I did Latin and ballroom as a hobby. And I think when you've got a passion for it, you'll naturally enjoy it," she told Richard Arnold.
"I don't know if I'll be any good but I'll enjoy it! I love the Latin, I think they're just exciting and passionate dancers, aren't they? It's the drama, isn't it? We all love the drama!"
Balvinder, 46, is best known for playing Suki Panesar-Unwin on EastEnders – having joined the soap in 2020. She previously took on roles in radio soap opera Silver Street, ITV's Emmerdale, Waterloo Road, Coronation Street and Call the Midwife.
George Clarke
YouTuber George Clarke is joining the line-up after he was announced as the sixth star for the 2025 series. The YouTuber and podcaster boasts 678k followers on Instagram, and is known for his podcast The Useless Hotline with Max Balegde.
He's also built a thriving digital career with millions of followers across YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram. "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," George said on joining the hit show.
La Voix
RuPaul's Drag Race UK legend La Voix is making show history and becoming the first drag queen to take part in the show. They appeared on BBC Radio 2 on Wednesday morning and struggled to share their excitement as they revealed the news.
La Voix, whose real name is Christopher Dennis, said: "It's me La Voix! An international singer and comedian doing Strictly. Strictly need to step up their game because I wear rhinestones on a daily basis."
Speaking about taking part, they added: "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
Former England rugby ace Chris Robshaw has also confirmed he'll be taking part. The former England rugby union player and captain, who earned 66 caps for the national team, explained that the show was "out of his comfort zone"
Speaking about his decision to take part, he 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."
There had been speculation that Chris could be partnered with Nadiya Bychkova due to his 6ft2 frame. A source previously said that they would deliver "sizzling performances" should they end up working together. "But as a former rugby star, he'll also have some big dance shoes to fill as plenty of other players have gone on to Strictly and done remarkably well," a source added.
Ellie Goldstein
Ellie became the first person with Down syndrome to appear on the cover of British Vogue and has continued to break barriers. Speaking about taking part in the programme, she 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!"
Ellie has never shied away from sharing her love for Strictly and described dancing as her "favourite thing in the world." Speaking previously, she said: "I am proving people wrong, and I am a role model for people like me.
She added: "Doctors said I wouldn’t talk, but now I never stop talking! You should always believe in yourself. My absolute favourite thing in the world is dancing. One day I would love to be on Strictly Come Dancing. I went to watch it being filmed a few weeks ago, but I didn't want to be in the audience, I wanted to be on the dancefloor."
Thomas Skinner
He may be a reality star in his own right, but Thomas boasts some very famous friends, including American Vice President JD Vance. Earlier this week, he was personally invited for dinner by Vance, who is currently holidaying in the UK.
Speaking about joining the show, 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
Reality star and author Vicky said she was "terrified" at the thought of taking to the Strictly dancefloor. The star who found fame on MTV's Geordie Shore 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
Neighbours legend Stefan Dennis, 66, is best known for playing Paul Robinson on the now-cancelled Australian show.
After being revealed on Thursday's edition of This Morning, Stefan told hosts Emma Willis and Craig Doyle: "I'm very excited to be doing something completely and utterly out of my comfort zone but because of that, I'm petrified." He added that British viewers will be "sick of" him eventually as Neighbours will also be airing until the end of the year.
Ross King
GMB presenter Ross King revealed the exciting news that he would be taking part on the show to Ranvir Singh, who also starred on Strictly.
Speaking about why he's signed up, he told Ranvir: "My dear old mum used to always say, 'You never know, until you give it a go.' Just do your best, it's all you can do.
"People I've seen do it, obviously I watch Dancing with the Stars in America. My friend Katherine was on it and she was unbelievable - that put me off it."
Karen Carney
Former Lioness footballer Karen Carney was revealed as Strictly's 14th contestant in the 2025 line-up. The ex athlete played for Chelsea, Arsenal, Birmingham City and England during her footballing career before becoming a pundit on TNT and ITV.
On joining Strictly Come Dancing, 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!"
Kristian Nairn
Game of Thrones actor Kristian Nairn was the 15th name to be released this morning. The star is best known for having appeared on the HBO fantasy series Hodor, and also works as a DJ, but will now be preparing to take to the dancefloor and put his footwork to the test for viewers and the judges.
He said: "This will be a huge challenge for me physically, but I’m ready to rise to it! It’s a surreal and wonderful opportunity to shed one of my left feet."
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