Strictly 2025 launch date confirmed
Entertainment News: The BBC has confirmed when the 2025 series of Strictly Come Dancing will launch, and when the first live show will air.
The countdown is officially on for the 2025 series of Strictly Come Dancing. The BBC has confirmed that the show will kick off with a pre-recorded launch episode on Saturday 20 September, where the celebrity contestants will discover which professional dancer they will be paired with. The first live shows will follow a week later, leading up to the grand live final on Saturday 20 December.
Celebrity Contestants Revealed
This year’s lineup boasts a mix of sports stars, actors, TV personalities, and social media influencers:
Harry Aikines-Aryeetey – Olympian and Gladiator, aka Nitro
Dani Dyer – TV personality, broadcaster, and author
Alex Kingston – Award-winning actor
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink – Former professional footballer and manager
Balvinder Sopal – Actor and EastEnders star
George Clarke – YouTuber and podcaster
La Voix – Performer, presenter, and singer
Chris Robshaw – Former England rugby captain
Ellie Goldstein – Model, actor, and influencer
Thomas Skinner – TV personality, social media star, and businessman
Vicky Pattison – TV star and broadcaster
Stefan Dennis – Actor and Neighbours star
Ross King – Hollywood correspondent, author, and broadcaster
Karen Carney – Sports presenter and legendary Lioness
Kristian Nairn – Game of Thrones star and DJ
Professional Dancers Lineup
The show will return with fan-favourite professional dancers including Dianne Buswell, Nadiya Bychkova, Karen Hauer, Katya Jones, Neil Jones, Nikita Kuzmin, and Gorka Marquez. Additional returning pros for 2025 are Luba Mushtuk, Jowita Przystal, Johannes Radebe, Aljaž Škorjanec, Kai Widdington, Nancy Xu, Carlos Gu, Lauren Oakley, Michelle Tsiakkas, and Vito Coppola.
Two new professionals will also join the cast this year: Alexis Warr and Julian Caillon, bringing fresh talent and energy to the dance floor.
What to Expect This Season
The pre-recorded launch show will give fans their first glimpse of the celebrity-pro pairings, setting the stage for the drama, dazzling routines, and nail-biting eliminations that Strictly is known for. With such a diverse and high-profile cast, the 2025 series promises to deliver unforgettable performances and show-stopping routines.
The live final will be on Saturday 20 December, with a Christmas special to follow on Christmas Day.
Words: Simon Baines
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