Editors' note: this feature was updated to exclude Dani Dyer, who has been forced to withdraw from this year's competition due to injury.
Now, despite more tabloid headlines, Strictly is quickstepping back onto our screens for its 23rd series. As always, there are a few changes – voting is online onlyand the set has had a minor refresh – but the heart of the show remains the same: a new cast of celebrities looking to dazzle the judges with their dancing.
So, who’s bringing secret dance experience? Who’s got two left feet? Who’s already sweating with nerves – and who’s cool as a cucumber? This year’s professional dancers introduce the class of 2025…
Dianna Buswell with Stefan Dennis
66, Neighbours actor
“Last year was an incredible experience. Chris [McCausland] and I weren’t prepared for the way people kept us in to the end. I don’t come into it thinking, ‘Ooh, I won last year.’ It’s a new slate. One year you could be holding the glitterball, the next you could be gone in week two or three.”
Stefan “I didn’t know her from a bar of soap! But she’s a brilliant teacher. It’s going to be hard work, but it’s going to be fun. You know, I could be digging ditches.”
“I’m a bit nervous about Dani, Karen, Lewis… Harry’s going to be a surprise. And Ellie is just a delight — she’s a bowl of positivity.”
“Yeah, it’s a bugger, isn’t it?”
“Well, yeah. I was going into semi-retirement, then Strictly called and I’m into hours of intense training. I thought we had long hours on Ramsay Street. This makes that look like a picnic!”
Katya Jones with Lewis Cope
30, Emmerdale actor
Lewis, you joined the show late, replacing Game of Thrones actor Kristian Nairn. Have you caught up?
As a child, you appeared in a West End production of Billy Elliot the Musical. Have you drawn on that experience for Strictly?
How have you found being “Strictly-fied” with the fake tan, sequins and so on?
“I haven’t had the fake tan yet — I might need to change my bedding, it’s all white! But I think when you put the clothes on, it changes you. You start thinking, talking and walking differently. It brightens you up in every way.”
Carlos Gu with Karen Carney
38, ex-professional footballer
Karen, what’s it like in the Strictly spotlight?
Are you bringing your sporting competitive spirit to the dancefloor?
Is it hard to get out of that mindset?
“I think if I had more of a competitive mindset, I’d probably have a gold medal, not silver and bronze! That’s where I failed. But seriously, I think sometimes people get competitiveness wrong. There’s a competitiveness to be the best version of yourself as well.”
Johannes Radebe with Alex Kingston
62, former Doctor Who and ER star
“In terms of dancing, Alex’s acting experience helps — dancing is storytelling, after all. But also, she has got rhythm, which I’m very excited about. When she dances, there’s an energy and a joy.”
Alex “Sarah Hadland doing it last year was the catalyst. We were in a play together in 2019, and we both said how much we wanted to do it, but our agents didn’t approve. So when I watched her I thought, ‘I’ve got to give it a go, then we can both fulfil the secret dream that we shared.’”
“You have to be vulnerable in front of millions of people. That’s quite daunting, as is standing in front of the judges. When I watch Strictly, on the whole I agree with the judges, so I can’t just be thinking, ‘What do they know anyway?’”
Aljaž Škorjanec with La Voix
45, drag queen
La Voix, how does it feel stepping into the Strictly spotlight?
You’re looking fabulous today. Is the plan to perform in full drag every week?
Drag queens are known for their funny comebacks. Do you have any one-liners for Craig Revel Horwood?
“Within reason — I am genuinely here wanting to learn. But, yeah, if Craig goes too far, I will give as good as I get. I can’t help it. My mouth is my problem.”
Jowita Przystał with Ross King
63, showbiz reporter
Ross, you’re used to getting the showbiz stories. What’s it like to be in one?
Is there any experience from your career that might help?
Who’s rooting for you to win?
“Scotland — I’ve got the pressure of a nation behind me. And Team Lorraine! Lorraine Kelly’s called me “twinkletoes” from the beginning.”
Nadiya Bychkova with Chris Robshaw
39, ex-rugby player
Chris, how competitive will you be in Strictly?
What made you decide to do Strictly now?
What did your rugby mates make of it?
“The support I’ve had has been amazing. I’ve already had more friends ask for Strictly tickets than England tickets! The demand is crazy.”
Kai Widdrington with Vicky Pattison
37, reality TV star
Vicky, you got married last year. What was your first dance at the reception?
So why do Strictly now?
How does Strictly compare to I’m a Celebrity...?
“In the jungle, I was in a bubble eating kangaroo bits with Ant and Dec. Here, I’m learning a new skill with judges critiquing us, as well as Sandra from Surrey. That does strike fear in my heart.”
Alexis Warr with George Clarke
25, social media influencer
George, what’s it like to join Strictly?
What do your friends and family make of it?
Maybe you’ll get new followers from Strictly?
“There’s been a few occasions where somebody has come over and said, ‘Good luck on Strictly.’ And I can tell, without being rude, that they’re not in my usual demographic!”
Julian Caillon with Balvinder Sopal
46, EastEnders actor
Balvinder, you’ve revealed you did some amateur ballroom before. What started that?
So, why do Strictly now?
“2025 is my ‘yes’ year. I lost my mum last year, and I think she would hate for me not to take up an opportunity like this. My mum was a real fan of the show. We used to watch together. She was strong and always put her best foot forward — I need to step into her energy.”
Lauren Oakley with Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink
53, ex-footballer
Jimmy, you’re a football legend, but have you done much dancing?
You’re used to performing at a high level in front of big crowds, but is Strictly a different ball game?
It’s a sporty line-up — footballers, a rugby player, a sprinter-turned-Gladiator. Will you be fiercely competitive?
“I think all of us are going to be very competitive — all of us want to go as far as possible, you know? For now, I’m just trying to get better.”
Karen Hauer with Harry Aikines-Aryeetey
37, sprinter and Gladiator
Harry, you did the Strictly Christmas special last year. How different is the main series?
How does Strictly compare to life as Nitro on Gladiators — or as a sprinter?
Will you take any dance skills back with you to Gladiators?
“Come Gladiators series four, you’ll see my pinkie isolated on that pugil stick. You’ll see that right toe turn out on The Wall.”
Vito Coppola with Ellie Goldstein
23, model and actor
Ellie, you’re an actor and a model. How different is that to being on Strictly?
You’ve done a lot to raise awareness — you were the first model with Down’s syndrome on the cover of Vogue. What do you hope your time on Strictly will mean to people?
Which of your fellow celebrities were you most excited to meet?
Which dances are you looking forward to?
“The cha-cha-cha, the Charleston, the foxtrot, and the waltz. Just a few!”
Amy Dowden with Thomas Skinner
34, ex-Apprentice contestant
So, Tom, why do Strictly now?
Will your family come down to watch you?
“Of course. Everyone’s been saying, ‘Tom, I can’t wait to see you dance.’ I went to West Ham last week, and at least 500 people were queuing up to have a selfie or to wish me good luck. There were people going, ‘I’ve never watched Strictly before, but I’ll watch it because of you.’ I’m going to do it for the dads with the beer bellies.”
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