Strictly Come Dancing returns for its 2025 run, with 15 celebrity couples preparing for the first live show on Saturday. Hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly are back, and the judging panel of Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Anton Du Beke and head judge Shirley Ballas will again oversee the performances. The season features a mix of familiar faces and new talent, and the live shows are scheduled to run weekly through December, including the Blackpool week.
Two big changes frame the lineup. Former Love Island contestant Dani Dyer pulled out this week after breaking her ankle, and Amber Davies — a West End actress and ex-Islander — was drafted in as her replacement. Earlier this year, Game of Thrones actor Kristian Nairn withdrew on medical grounds. Two pro dancers, Warr and Caillon, are new to the series this year.
On last week's launch show, producers announced the pairings. The 15 celebrity contestants and their professionals include Alex Kingston with Johannes Radebe; Amber Davies with Nikita Kuzmin; Balvinder Sopal with Julian Caillon; Chris Robshaw with Nadiya Bychkova; Ellie Goldstein with Vito Coppola; George Clarke with Alexis Warr; Harry Aikines-Aryeetey with Karen Hauer; Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink with Lauren Oakley; Karen Carney with Carlos Gu; La Voix with Aljaž Škorjanec; Lewis Cope with Katya Jones; Ross King with Jowita Przystał; Stefan Dennis with Dianne Buswell; Thomas Skinner with Amy Dowden; and Vicky Pattison with Kai Widdrington. Dyer’s withdrawal was confirmed this week, replacing an earlier announcement about her participation.
Celebrities describe the training as grueling but transformative. Alex Kingston, a stage and screen veteran of more than 40 years, said she hopes the show can demonstrate that “anything is possible.” “To be perfectly honest, I don’t feel necessarily any different than I did 20 years ago,” Kingston told BBC. “If it’s something that you want to do, go for it. And also it’s important to stay healthy and to learn things.” Stefan Dennis, known for his decades on Neighbours, said he is doing Strictly for a personal reason: he wants to dance with his wife, who was a professional dancer. “My wife was a professional dancer, she is still is a dancer, and she’s married to a bloke who can’t dance to save his life. And it would just be really nice to take her out dancing.”
The couples will need to impress the Strictly judges as they prepare for a packed schedule of rehearsals and live performances. Among those who spoke about the pace of training, George Clarke, a 25-year-old YouTuber and architect-turned-presenter, said he expects to be challenged: “I think it would be silly for me to turn up and think, week one, the judge is going to say, ‘I’ve never seen anything like this.’ I’m inviting it, because I think I’ll most likely be like, that’s fair enough.” EastEnders actor Balvinder Sopal, 46, described her feelings as she approached the first live show: “I’m absolutely petrified.” Ellie Goldstein, 23, the first star with Down’s syndrome to take part in a regular Strictly series, admitted nerves about the Charleston and tango but looked forward to the glamour of the costumes and spray tans.
Strictly, which has faced controversy in recent years over the behavior of some participants and staff, has again faced questions this year. Police investigations into alleged drug use on the show were disclosed this summer, and an unnamed star was arrested on suspicion of rape; officials said the man is not connected to the current series. When asked whether the spate of controversies would deter her, Kingston said she focused on the competition itself, adding that she does not follow the surrounding chatter. Dennis, who noted he is speaking from Australia, dismissed the distractions as not relevant to his own experience on the dance floor. The live shows will run from Saturday through December, with the usual theme weeks including Blackpool.
The program remains a top ratings draw and was recently named best talent show at the National Television Awards. As Strictly returns, fans can expect the familiar mix of high-energy performances, backstage bonding and candid moments from celebrities learning to dance on air.