Strictly Come Dancing 2025: Star-Studded Line-up Revealed as BBC’s Flagship Show Returns

A New Season of Glitter and Glamour

Strictly Come Dancing is set to return for its twenty-third series with a launch show on 20 September 2025 on BBC One, with live shows beginning a week later on 27 September. The BBC’s crown jewel continues to attract the great and the good of the showbiz world, promising another spectacular season of dance and entertainment.

The Celebrity Line-up

This year’s diverse cast includes several notable personalities. The show is making history with Ellie Goldstein becoming the first person with Down syndrome and La Voix the first drag star to take to its glittering dancefloor.

Vicky Pattison, announced on ITV’s This Morning, has expressed both excitement and nerves about joining the show, admitting she’s “not a natural dancer” but is ready to step out of her comfort zone and challenge herself in a completely new way.

The star-studded lineup also includes reality TV star Dani Dyer, actor Alex Kingston (who joined from her holiday in Italy), and Dutch footballer Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink. Kingston has already shared her mixed emotions, stating she was “excited but now terrified”.

The Judging Panel and Hosts

The judging panel remains unchanged with Head Judge Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, and Anton Du Beke all returning for the 2025 series, alongside long-time hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman.

The professional dancer lineup has been enhanced with two new additions: Alexis Warr, who won the seventeenth season of So You Think You Can Dance, and Julian Caillon, who has experience from three series of the Australian version of Dancing with the Stars.

Looking Ahead

The eagerly anticipated pairing of celebrities with their professional partners will be revealed during the pre-recorded launch show in September. The following week will see the first live shows begin, where eliminations come into play. The couples are already working together on their first dances, though viewers will have to wait to see the results.