Strictly Come Dancing 2025 line-up: Confirmed cast

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Emmerdale star Lewis Cope was then announced as a contestant, sharing the news on BBC One’s The One Show later that day.

Talking about how it felt to be joining the show at the last minute, he said: "I think, if anything, it’s probably helped me because I haven’t really had time to think about it or anything, so now the excitement has kind of just taken over."

Cope joins the likes of Love Island's Dani Dyer, singer Stefan Dennis and EastEnders star Balvinder Sopal.

Want to know more about the stars taking part? Read on to find out more about the confirmed line-up for Strictly Come Dancing 2025.

Strictly Come Dancing 2025 line-up: Full cast of confirmed contestants

Read on to learn more about those confirmed to be taking part in the upcoming season.

Lewis Cope

Age: 30

Job: Actor

Instagram: @lewiscope

Soap fans will recognise Cope from his role as Nicky Milligan in ITV's Emmerdale - a role for which he was nominated for the Rising Star Award at the National Television Awards back in 2023.

He has also appeared in TV series such as Vera, Mrs Sidhu Investigates and Hetty Feather.

Karen Carney

Age: 38

Job: Journalist

Instagram: @kazcarney

Sports journalist and former footballer Karen Carney is the 14th celebrity to be announced for Strictly.

Karen has played for the likes of Chelsea, Arsenal, Birmingham City and England, and is now the lead female pundit for both men's and women's football, across TNT and ITV.

With 144 caps under her belt, Karen is England's third most-capped player and has competed at four World Cups, four European Championships and the London Olympics before her retirement in 2019.

Ross King

Age: 63

Job: Presenter

Instagram: @therossking

Ross King is the 13th celebrity announced to be joining Strictly Come Dancing 2025.

Ross is seen daily on ITV's Good Morning Britain and Lorraine as their Los Angeles correspondent and is a four-time news Emmy winner who has hosted more than 30 television series since his first radio broadcast at 15 years old.

Across the pond, Ross was a World Judge on CBS' The World's Best, hosted The Hollywood Christmas Parade, The Critics Choice Movie Awards Red Carpet and for six years was the Entertainment Anchor on Los Angeles' KTLA.

Stefan Dennis

Age: 66

Job: Actor

Instagram: @stefandennis7

Stefan Dennis is the latest soap actor to be join the Strictly Come Dancing 2025 line-up.

Best known for his portrayal of Paul Robinson on Neighbours, Dennis has been part of the soap since its inception in 1985.

He has also starred on the Scottish soap River City and has dabbled in the music world, with his 1989 single Don't It Make You Feel Good reaching number 16 in the Irish and UK Singles Chart.

Vicky Pattison

Age: 37

Job: TV personality

Instagram: @vickypattison

Vicky Pattison is the 11th celebrity to join the Strictly Come Dancing line-up.

Vicky rose to fame after appearing on Geordie Shore in the 2010s, and later on Ex on the Beach. Since then, she has presented the likes of Judge Geordie and The Honesty Box.

On joining the line-up, Vicky said: "I’m absolutely buzzing to be part of this year’s Strictly Come Dancing line-up... 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!"

Thomas Skinner

Age: 34

Job: Businessman

Instagram: @iamtomskinner

Former The Apprentice star Thomas Skinner is the latest name confirmed for Strictly Come Dancing, with the businessman saying he is "beyond excited" to join the line-up.

Thomas Skinner rose to fame in 2019 after appearing on The Apprentice, and while he didn't win the show, he is one of the more popular contestants.

Since then, he has appeared on Celebrity MasterChef and 8 Out of 10 Cats.

La Voix

Age: 45

Job: Performer

Instagram: @lavoixtheshow

La Voix is a performer, presenter and singer who is best known for competing in RuPaul's Drag Race UK in 2024.

She is the second drag queen to take part in Strictly, with Tayce previously taking part in the 2024 Christmas special.

La Voix has appeared on the likes of Queens for the Night and Queen of the Universe, and has even graced the silver screen for Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie.

Speaking of joining Strictly, La Voix said: "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

Age: 39

Job: Former rugby union player

Instagram: @chrisrobshawrugby

Chris Robshaw is a former England rugby union player and captain, with 66 caps for England. He captained the national team 43 times, leading them to a Six Nations Grand Slam victory in 2016.

At club level, he played 300 games for Harlequins RFC, guiding them through their most successful era.

"This is about as far out of my comfort zone as it gets," Chris said of joining the line-up. "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."

Ellie Goldstein

Age: 23

Job: Model

Instagram: @elliejg16_zebedeemodel

Ellie Goldstein is a model, actor and influencer who made history as the first model with Down syndrome to appear on the cover of British Vogue.

Since then, she has appeared on the covers of Glamour, Elle, Mission Mag and Euphoria magazines and has featured in campaigns for the likes of Adidas and Gucci Beauty.

On joining Strictly Come Dancing, Ellie 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 dance floor. Let the Strictly journey begin!"

George Clarke

Age: 25

Job: YouTube

Instagram: @georgeclarkeey

YouTuber and podcast host George Clarke may not be that well known among usual Strictly viewers, having rose to fame across TikTok and Instagram.

George is a social media star known to millions and currently co-hosts The Useless Hotline Podcast, which has had a string of live shows across the UK.

On joining Strictly Come Dancing, George said: "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."

Harry Aikines-Aryeetey

Age: 36

Job: TV personality and Olympian

Instagram: @aikines

Harry Aikines-Aryeetey is an Olympian, multi gold medal-winning Team GB sprinter and, now, star of Gladiators.

At just 17 years old, he was named BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year in 2005, after becoming the first athlete to win gold medals at both 100 metres and 200 metres at the World Youth Championships.

He joined the Gladiators line-up in 2023, and was unveiled as Nitro, who is a firm fan favourite among viewers.

He said of joining Strictly Come Dancing: "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

Age: 28

Job: TV personality

Instagram: @danidyerxx

After rising to fame on Love Island in 2018, Dani Dyer has gone from strength to strength in her career and currently co-hosts the podcast Sorted with the Dyers with her father, Danny Dyer, along with a travelogue series Absolutely Dyer: Danny and Dani Do Italy.

She has made guest appearances in EastEnders and Celebrity Gogglebox and since her Love Island rise to fame, she has amassed over three million followers on social media.

On joining Strictly Come Dancing, Dani 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

Age: 62

Job: Actress

Instagram: @alexkingstonofficial

Alex Kingston is a star of both the stage and screen, gaining international fame for her role as Dr Elizabeth Corday in smash hit ER. But it doesn't stop there, with her known to millions as River Song in Doctor Who.

Her other work includes A Discovery of Witches, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit and Arrow. Her extensive theatre roles include playing the likes of Lady Macbeth and Nurse Ratchet.

On joining Strictly Come Dancing, she said: "Aaaaagghhh!"

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink

Age: 53

Job: Former professional footballer

Instagram: @official_jhasselbaink

Former professional footballer Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink was the fourth celebrity to be announced for Strictly, and many will know him for his prolific goal-scoring career in the Premier League and across Europe.

Jimmy has played for clubs including Chelsea, Leeds United and Middlesbrough and has served as an assistant coach for the England national team.

On joining Strictly Come Dancing, Hasselbaink said: "Swapping the pitch for the ballroom is certainly not something I’ve done before but I’m looking forward to tackling a fun challenge! Bring on a new type of footwork, with hopefully no own goals."

Balvinder Sopal

Age: 46

Job: Actress

Instagram: @leesopal

Balvinder is the second soap star to be rumoured for Strictly Come Dancing and if true, she'd continue the annual streak of an EastEnders actor taking part on the show.

Best known for her role as Suki Panesar-Unwin in EastEnders, Sopal has also had a string of roles in various other soaps including Emmerdale, Coronation Street and Hollyoaks.

On joining Strictly Come Dancing, Balvinder Sopal said: "Being on Strictly is a dream that I held on to, with no proof that it would ever happen. Working on EastEnders and being a part of Strictly Come Dancing is the stuff that dreams are made of. I’m far too excited to put into words how I feel but I’m incredibly excited at the prospect of dancing across the ballroom!"

Strictly Come Dancing returns to BBC One and iPlayer later this year.

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Katelyn MensahSenior Entertainment Writer

Katelyn Mensah is the Senior Entertainment Writer for Radio Times, covering all major entertainment programmes, reality TV shows and the latest hard-hitting documentaries. She previously worked at The Tab, with a focus on reality TV and showbiz news and has obtained a BA (Hons) in Journalism.